This panorama of the Manchester Central Library was taken in October 2007 during the rush hour. The panoramic image shows the circular library on the north side of St Peter's Square in Manchester. The city tram stops here, this was shot just after a tram had departed for Altrincham, providing a short time when the library was viewable through the crowds.

Manchester Central Library - St Peters Square - Manchester visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Manchester Central Library - St Peters Square' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Greater Manchester.

The Manchester Central Library is one of the largest libraries in England after the British Library in London. The library is based in a dramatic cricular building in the middle of Manchester, next to the Town Hall on St Peter's Square. Manchester was the first city in England to open a public library after the Public Libraries & Museums Act of 1850. The library was free to use, with costs being supported by taxes. Amongst the collection are 30 incunabula - books printed before 1501. The library also has a Chinese book collection, reflecting the large ethnic influence in Chinatown which is nearby.

Manchester Central Library also houses the Library Theatre, a café, shop and Local Studies Unit.

This panorama was shot from the platform of the St Peter's Square Metrolink platform, and shows both the library and other buildings in the square. The image also shows the St Peter's Cross in the square next to Cenotaph. This was installed by Temple Moore, 1908. A Metrolink Tram can be seen just leaving the square heading for Piccadilly Gardens

Travel Directions and Getting There
Tram: St Peter's Square.