mobile menu decorative search icon decorativeSearch the site
Main Library reception

Main Library

The Main Library is the largest library on campus and holds the principal collections for teaching and research in the humanities, education, law, medicine, science and the social sciences.

Opening hours

‌17 April to 7 June 2023

  • Monday: 8am to 2am
  • Tuesday: 8am to 2am
  • Wednesday: 8am to 2am
  • Thursday: 8am to 2am
  • Friday: 8am to 2am
  • Saturday: 9am to 2am
  • Sunday: 9am to 2am
Interactive floor plan
Open interactive floor plan

Bank Holiday opening hours 2023

Closure dates

Main Library will be closed on the following days:

  • 7 April 2023
  • 8 April 2023
  • 9 April 2023
  • 10 April 2023
  • 28 August 2023

Bank Holidays

Main Library will be open and staffed by security only on the following days:

  • 1 May 2023: 9am to 2am
  • 8 May 2023: 9am to 2am
  • 29 May 2023: 9am to 2am

Replacement student ID cards

Replacement student ID cards can be collected from the Customer Services Desk 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday.


Address

The Main Library
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9PP

+44 (0)161 275 3751

Features and facilities

Library Living Room

The Library Living Room has been created to offer a warm, comfortable space where students can take a break.

Special Collections

Many of the Library's special collections are held in the Main Library. These include archives of the University of Manchester, Christian Brethren archives, a range of scientific books and post-1800 medical books, medical drawings and paintings, and maps.

Find out more about our current offer:

Bookable study spaces

There are 14 bookable study spaces in the Main Library.

Quiet space for children

If you need to bring your children into the Library and need a quiet place to study, you can book Group Study Room 1 in Main Library.

Quiet space for online meetings or lectures

If you need a quiet space to attend an online meeting or lecture, you can book study room 14 in the Main Library.

Group study rooms

There are 12 group study rooms in the Green area.

  • Each room can be used in a booked session by a minimum of two and a maximum of eight people.
  • The rooms are furnished with a large table and eight chairs, a PC and a 32 inch LCD monitor.
  • You will need to login with your username and password to access these PCs.

Visit this page to book a group study room:

For more information about booking group study rooms visit Library Help.

IT and copying facilities

The Main Library is one of the University's major computer cluster locations. Most of the networked computers are located on Blue 1.

Main Library PC Cluster‌Many of the PC's are provided for specific purposes such as quick-use, library catalogue access and access for external users (academic research only).

Multi-function devices (MFDs) can be found throughout the building and provide print, scan and photocopying facilities.

If you need support with IT issues please ask a member of the Customer Services Team or contact our Digital Support Service team via Library Chat and Library Help:

Get in touch