One of Manchester city centre’s beloved and most recognisable pieces of architecture has received a worthy accolade.
John Rylands Library has been voted one of the most beautiful libraries in Europe.
By collecting data from Google reviews over previous years, holiday rental site Holidu compiled a bucket list of the top ten most beautiful libraries across the continent – which includes five modern and five historic – that are considered to be a must-see at least once in a lifetime.
The Manchester masterpiece took the number one spot.
John Rylands Library was the only library in the UK to make the list, sitting alongside a collection of other stunning libraries in Vienna, Helsinki, Warsaw, Paris, Copenhagen, Stuttgart, Admont, Venice and Paris.
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Founded in 1889 by Enriqueta Rylands in memory of her late husband, John Rylands – an entrepreneur and philanthropist, who also happened to be the city’s first ever multi-millionaire – the impressive neo-Gothic building situated in the heart of Manchester city centre was designed by architect Basil Champneys and took 10 years to build.
The neo-Gothic building was designed by architect Basil Champneys and took 10 years to build / Credit: Flickr
With a catalogue of 1.4 million items, the John Rylands Library houses an extensive selection of books and many special collections.
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The library became part of The University of Manchester in 1972, and now houses the majority of Special Collections of The University of Manchester Library – which is the third largest academic library in the country.
The library has also earned an average Google review of 4.8 stars out of 466 reviews.
The Deansgate building finished top of Holidu’s ‘old-school’ library list, being joined in the top five by Stiftsbibliothek Admont in Austria, which is the oldest monastery library in the world, and the Kloster Wiblingen in Ulm, which is a classic example of Rococo art.
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The Biblitoeca Marciana in Venice – which contains one of the most important collections of Greek, Latin and Oriental manuscripts – comes in at number four, and the Sainte-Geneviève Library in Paris takes the fifth spot.
The Deansgate-based building came atop of Holidu’s ‘old-school’ library list / Credit: Flickr The library earned an average Google review of 4.8 stars out of 466 reviews / Credit: Flickr
Us Mancunians know that John Rylands Library is one of the city’s most beautiful buildings, but now its beauty has been recognised throughout Europe.
Was there ever any doubt?
Featured Image – Visit Manchester
UK News
A literacy charity is making its way to Manchester bringing lots of FREE books
Thomas Melia
A charity dedicated to literacy is coming to Manchester in May providing families and individuals with plenty of free books.
Led by Bookbanks, this London-founded organisation was set up in line with food banks to provide people with access to free books and now they’re coming all the way to Manchester.
This charity started in 2022 all thanks to writer and journalist Emily Rhodes, who has read her fair share of books and wants to give this privilege to anyone who might not be able to get their hands on any.
The charity has seen widespread positive reception quickly expanding into Norfolk and is now partnering with various food banks in Manchester, marking the organisation’s first Northern venture.
Bookbanks gives out an average of 30 books per week, per site and has distributed over 5,000 books so far at food banks.
Crates being organised in Manchester food bank.Credit: Publicity Picture (via Supplied)
Titled Bookbanks after the fact that they work very closely with food banks to provide books far and wide to food banks across the UK, they also host a range of interactive events.
Alongside all the fantastic work the team do, there’s a handful of free workshops and author events on offer for all ages and backgrounds, to further build the connection between people and their books.
Currently, there are two famous figures backing this book-based charity, Elizabeth Day and Andrew O’Hagan, both of which are no stranger to a pen and paper.
Day is an award-winning author who has written nine fiction and non-fiction books to date, while O’Hagan is Booker Prize nominated and is London Review of Books’ Editor-at-Large.
Bookbanks relies on the general public to spread their message further and there’s even a section on their website detailing how you can get involved to continue distributing books within food banks.
One of Bookbank’s many free author events, some of which will hopefully take place in Manchester.Credit: Publicity Picture (via Supplied)
Whether you’re an avid runner or keen to try something new why not raise money for and be sponsored by Bookbanks, knowing you’ve done your bit to bring books to those who need them most.
If you don’t fancy lacing up those trainers and heading out for a run, why not donate any old books you’ve finished reading to this book-focused charity and allow others to discover a whole new world of reading.
Bookbanks first official Manchester site will launch on Friday 2 May at Manchester Central Food bank and a second site is already in talks at Greater Together Manchester’s Social Supermarket in Miles Platting.
To find out more ways to get involved as a company, publisher, member of public and more, you can find all information on their official site HERE.
Featured Image: Publicity Picture via Annabelle Williams
UK News
The ‘headphone dodger’ proposal that could see people who play loud music on public transport fined
Danny Jones
A group of politicians are calling for people who play music and videos out loud on public transport to be fined, and not just a small fee, either. How about a grand?…
Yes, a new idea floated by members of the Liberal Democrats would see so-called ‘headphone dodgers’ hit with a penalty of a whopping penalty of up to £1,000.
Obviously, the idea would need government backing in order to make it through as an official bill, but it seems several Labour and Conservative MPs agree, and the suggestion alone already has caused plenty of online discussion.
Should 'headphone dodgers' who play loud music and videos on public transport face a fine of £1,000?
Sparking quite the water-cooler conversation too, the proposal is something that clearly taps into a fairly common nuisance among the general public and one that has increased in the era of smartphones, tablets and so on.
While it’s definitely something people can relate to, and the highly reactionary idea of charging them such a large sum of money, many on social media have noted that while the concept is one they can get behind, the figure seems excessive to most.
The no-headphone fine would apply to those playing music and video out loud on buses, trains and trams at what would generally be considered an obnoxious volume; if given the green light, this rule would be included in the railway byelaws and the current ‘Bus Services Bill‘ amended.
It has been suggested that a potential national campaign deterring this kind of behaviour would follow, with the party arguing plainly that commuters deserve to “enjoy a moment of peace.”
A similar policy has emerged regarding drivers as well.
This push from the Lib Dems comes after they commissioned a poll which found that “more than half of Brits said they would not feel empowered to ask somebody to turn down their music” while on board public transport, with over a third confessing they’ve come across the issue before.
Lisa Smart, the party’s home affairs spokesman, said: “Far too many people dread their daily commute because of the blight of antisocial behaviour — and headphone dodgers playing loud music on buses and trains are some of the worst offenders.”
She went on to add, “It’s time to take a stand for the quiet majority who just want to get from A to B in peace.” It is believed that both politicians in power and members of the opposition have already expressed support for the idea, even if specifics like the severity of the fine are up for debate.
Emily Sergeant -
7th June 2021 
