What’s new at the Library: preparing for Welcome and more
02 Jul 2025
Support for colleagues from Welcome activities to Reading Lists: here’s your essential update on what’s happening in and around the Library this summer.
Teaching and Learning
Library Embedded Support for Welcome
Planning your Welcome activities? The Library is here to help! Launching in September 2025, our Get Started campaign introduces new and returning students to our library spaces, collections, services, and support. Our dedicated Get Started webpage will be refreshed and updated over the summer to ensure everything is ready for the new academic year.
Staff can request a 15-minute Get Started presentation at School/Programme level. Submit your support requests via our Get Started Library Support Request Form by Friday 29 August.
Need more in-depth training beyond Welcome? Explore My Learning Essentials for Staff and submit a training request at least four weeks in advance for Semester 1.
Reading Lists: Preparing your Taught Course Materials for 2025/26
As we anticipate the next academic year, it's essential for the Library to start preparing the taught course materials required for your students. Your cooperation in this process is crucial to ensure the materials you recommend to students are available and accessible when needed. Please refer to our guidance:
This will provide information on:
- How and when to inform the Library of your taught course recommendations
- How to apply for, or change, your core eTextbook selection for your students
Existing lists in Reading Lists Online have been copied and rolled over for 2025/26, and are now ready for you to update.
Our Collections
The Bulletin of the John Rylands Library will soon be published Open Access
Manchester University Press and the John Rylands Research Institute and Library are delighted to announce that from Spring 2025 the Bulletin of the John Rylands Library will publish Open Access. Find out more.
Manchester Museum and The John Rylands Library make stunning addition to natural history collections
Manchester Museum and The John Rylands Library have worked together to acquire Henry Dresser’s unique, personal copy of his anthology ‘A History of the Birds of Europe’, 1871 – 1896, ensuring this invaluable resource remains in the UK for future generations.
Our Spaces
AGLC Re-opens on Saturday, 28 June, Main Library to close from Monday, 30 June
Estates and Facilities are finishing up the replacement of the gates at AGLC by Friday, 27 June. After that, the building and cafe will be open again starting Saturday, 28 June.
Please keep in mind that Main Library will be closed from Monday, 30 June until the start of the new academic year. If you need access to library services during this time, there are alternative options available, some of which are located at AGLC.