Manchester Central Library, along with the Town Hall Extension, are closing temporarily in August for the replacement and upgrade of ICT networks and Wi-Fi systems.
They will be closed for three weeks from 2- 24 August with no access for staff or the public as there will be no ICT network access available while cabling and upgrade work is carried out, which means no connectivity for laptops, PCs, printers and other digital infrastructure.
The ICT project will update the Local Area Network (LAN) and the Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). It will ensure that the Central Library and the Town Hall Extension will have a flexible ICT network providing seamless connectivity for staff and the public using our buildings, as well as third parties including the NHS, GMP and other local authorities.
To date, more than 120 buildings have been completed with feedback from staff, library visitors and our partners highlighting its transformative impact.
Manchester’s 21 local libraries will be open as usual providing PCs, book lending and study space, all of which have already had successful LAN and Wi-Fi network updates.
Find further information on all Manchester Libraries services.
Staff hours will be increased in nine key libraries in the city, and we will continue to operate a visitor information service and accept books that are being returned.
Staff will be on hand at Central Library entrances to advise customers and residents of the closure and signpost to alternative libraries, places to sightsee, meet or enjoy a coffee in the city.
Find out everything you need to know about the temporary Manchester Central Library closure .
The St Peter’s Square Generator enterprise hub will also be closed but all the services for businesses will be available at the Generator hub site at Royal Mills Ancoats which opened in 2024.
The Town Hall Extension will be fully closed and affected staff will work remotely, while alternative arrangements are being made for in-person pre-booked appointments carried out in the Town Hall Extension, including alternative locations for in-person homelessness appointments and for taxi drivers to attend in-person to present legal documentation.
Councillor Garry Bridges, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, said:
“We need to carry out important work to upgrade the network systems which were implemented during the major refurbishment works in 2013.
“Currently there is patchy network coverage in critical areas across the buildings, and the upgrade will give us a flexible ICT network that is more fitting to modern ways of working and our digital strategy goals.
“We are sorry for the inconvenience that these temporary closures may cause but we are making alternative plans for the services during this time, and we hope that people will understand that the end point of this critical work will be beneficial to everyone who uses the buildings for years to come.”
Councillor John Hacking, Executive Member for Skills, Employment and Leisure said:
“Although there is never a good time to shut Manchester Central Library, we cannot move forward in updating the network without this necessary closure. I can assure people that we will be working at pace to bring a better and faster Wi-Fi provision for our customers when we reopen.
“Our library staff will be relocated to our branch libraries during the closure to ensure they can continue to provide the vital services our residents have come to expect while the work is undertaken – and of course a range of library services are also available online.”
