The John Rylands Library celebrates its 125th year with the completion of the John Rylands Next Chapter project and two new exhibitions
In 2025, The John Rylands Library celebrates 125 years with a special programme of events and exhibitions. Rylands125 honours the Library's important past, highlight its vibrant present, and looks forward to a promising future.
We are celebrating the completion of the John Rylands Next Chapter project, which began in February 2024. The project sought to enrich and transform the researcher and visitor experience with the refurbishment of exhibition and event spaces.
Two newly designed galleries will open on 15 May 2025, marking a significant milestone in the John Rylands Next Chapter project:
- Collections Gallery: Presenting over 40 remarkable objects that illuminate the history and evolution of the Library's special collections, with many on public display for the first time. This eclectic display includes Shakespeare's First Folio; a clay cylinder from Nebuchadnezzar's temple; a Qur'an manuscript; a parchment roll signed by Elizabeth I; Alan Turing's notes on the MARK I computer; and Rob Gretton's Joy Division notebook.
- Special Exhibitions Gallery: The opening exhibition, The Secret Public: LGBTQ Pop 1955-1985, explores the profound influence of LGBTQ performers, artists and activists on mainstream popular culture. Based on the book by Professor of Popular Culture, Jon Savage, the exhibition draws on his personal archives and The University of Manchester's British Pop Archive.
Visit the Rylands from Thursday, 15 May to see our new exhibitions.
Spaces created as part of Next Chapter include a new main entrance to the library, and changes to the shop and reception area. Other new additions include a multi-use event space, digital teaching and learning suites and the sector-leading Rylands Heritage Imaging Lab.
Join the celebrations and look out for related programming on our .
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Free entry.