The more observant of you may have noticed some changes to our blog and social media profiles (don’t worry if you haven’t, there isn’t a test!) and there have been announcements about our temporary closure dates. I thought it might be a good time to let you know a little bit more about what is happening.
We are all really excited about the re-opening of Central Library, but there is a lot of work for us still to complete. Once the doors close to the public at City Library and GMCRO, we’ve got to start packing up all our worldly goods, ready to be moved across Manchester and that is not as easy as it sounds. We have a lot of stuff! Much of our archive material is old, fragile and very easily damaged, it doesn’t take kindly to changes in temperature or humidity. At any other time we would brag about how much fantastic material we have, but the thought of shifting it all has turned us all to drink.
The most exciting thing about Central Library reopening is that a number of archive and family history organisations will be working together as Archives+, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund. It’s going to be really exciting to have all of us under one roof.
Material from the collections of all the Archives+ partners will be used to bring history to life and tell some of Manchester’s stories. All the local and family history resources you’re used to will be there too. We’re not going to give too much away just yet, but you might want to keep popping back here in case we let some details slip…
