A special bumper Christmas edition of the Full Volume Podcast. 

Episode 11 in the series features stacks of guests, a retrospective look back at the year that was 2025 in Manchester Libraries, plus top tips on what to expect from your library service in 2026. 

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'Manchester Libraries Trust are running a Christmas book gifting appeal on justgiving.com called 'Books for Christmas', to help gift brand new books to Manchester children who need them most via food banks, community grocers and family centres.

Lots of people have already kindly donated and we're half way to our appeal target - if you are able to make a donation to give the gift of reading this Christmas, please visit the appeal page @ justgiving.com/campaign/booksforchristmas

Thank you! 

Episode 10 of the Full Volume Podcast, featuring esteemed business woman Tynah Matembe, folk singer Cole Stacey, a branch-out feature at Z-Arts, a multitude of voices from Manchester Libraries on 'their Manchester', What's On plugs, and much more. 

Full Volume returns for something of a Manchester Literature Festival Special this October. 

With the festival now marking its 20th Anniversary, host Alan Lynch chats to the acclaimed author Kate Mosse about her two upcoming appearances at Central Library this month, and gets the scoop on her latest book 'Feminist History for Every Day of the Year'. 

There's also a candid interview with MLF Co-Director Cathy Bolton, who shares her personal highlights from the last 20 years of the festival, while offering her top tips for the 2025 edition that's due to take over multiple venues across the city between 11-26th October. 

Elsewhere, Gary Parkinson heads down to Chorlton Library to sit down with former MLF star and esteemed Scottish poet, playwright and novelist Jackie Kay. Listen out for a reading of her classic poem 'George Square'.

In honour of National Coming Out Day 2025 on 11th October, some of the Manchester Libraries staff share their own experiences of coming out, featuring a range of stories that are sincere, warm hearted, and humorous. 

Plus, there's plenty of What's On Tips for the month ahead, and top preview picks to help you navigate the wealth of events on  at the Manchester Literature Festival. 

Tune-in and turn it up!

Key features of this month’s Full Volume podcast include an interview with Wallaroo Rugby International Libby Andrew speaking about the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 and her new book 'Wallaroo 19'; plus behind the scenes of the Acting Up! Exhibition at Central Library, highlights from “Oasis Week” at Central Library, What’s On tips from across Manchester Libraries, and much more. 
 

It's lucky seven for Full Volume: The Manchester Libraries Podcast and the latest edition is chock-full of Library-related features, news and interviews from across the city.  
 
 This month’s episode welcomes legendary Northern music journalist John Robb into the hotseat for our “Big Interview”. A regular talking head on the telly and a member of rock’n’roll bands such as Membranes and Goldblade, John knows his music inside-out and has just penned the new book ‘Live Forever: The Rise, Fall, and Resurrection of Oasis’ at Manchester Central Library in time for their big reunion. As John appeared for a special talk as part of the “Oasis Week” activities at Central Library, our host Alan Lynch sat down with him to talk all things Gallaghers.

There’s also the latest in our “Branch Out” feature series, with Moss Side Powerhouse taking the spotlight this month. Exclusively the only youth libraries in the country, Alan finds out about the events programme and people that make it one of Manchester Libraries’ buzziest spaces.

Elsewhere, the Children’s Team’s Mona Pasha jumps on the podcast for a chat about this year’s Summer Reading Challenge and this year’s ‘Story Garden’ theme for 2025. The scheme encourages children to read books, while collecting stickers and bookmarks in the process.

There’s also an appearance from two of our newest recruits, who join Alan for a chat about their inspiring work experience at Central Library.
 
 Elsewhere, What’s On guru Gary Parkinson comes into the studio to deliver his pick of the pops across Manchester Libraries this month, including plugs for the packed programme of Summer events at the Z-Arts, and a round-up of the recent news that Central Library will be temporarily closing for three weeks this August (2-24) for a major Wi-Fi upgrade.
 
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 ‘Full Volume: The Manchester Libraries Podcast’ takes listeners behind the shelves of our city’s much-loved libraries. Presented by the Central Library’s own Alan Lynch, every month the podcast lifts the lid on a treasure trove of insider tips, exclusive interviews, book reviews, and much more. 
 
Receiving rave reviews and overwhelming support from listeners, the podcast has so far featured special guests such as celebrated authors Dame Jacqueline Wilson and Kimberly Whittam, Manchester City Council photographer Barrie Leach speaking about his exhibition 'Our Town Hall: Portraits of a Workforce', legendary Manchester artist and illustrator Stanley Chow, Manchester’s Lord Mayor, Councillor John Hacking, BBC broadcaster and esteemed newspaper columnist Emma Barnett, plus Manchester City Council’s Head of Libraries, Galleries, and Culture Neil MacInnes OBE more. 
 
‘Episode 7: John Robb’, the latest episode of ‘Full Volume: The Manchester Libraries Podcast’ is on all major streaming services now.  
 
 Turn it up, and tune in to Episode 7 of Full Volume – now: https://push.fm/fl/actjsf7o-80012-96971-32630
 
 Watch out for Episode 8 in August… 

With Summer in full swing Full Volume: The Manchester Libraries Podcast returns for its spectacular sixth edition.  
 
 With more features than the complimentary newspapers in the BIPC, this month’s episode sees host Alan Lynch sitting down with acclaimed Manchester children’s author Kimberly Whittam. Kimberly’s new book ‘Quiet Storm’ has just been selected to be Manchester Libraries’ transition read 2025 – with 8,000 copies of the brilliant book gifted to local pupils to help them get ready for secondary school. Set in Manchester, ‘Quiet Storm’ tells the story of Storm who has never liked to stand out from the crowd, and is based in part on the author’s own experiences as a quiet and sometimes shy child. Find out more in the Full Volume interview.

From the ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office), representatives Louise Murphy and Ellis Quinn, come in for a chat about their fascinating new exhibition ‘Our Lives, Our Privacy’ which has been a popular success at Central Library in recent months. Alan takes a deep dive with the duo as they mark the 40th anniversary of the ICO with this exhibition, and reflect on key moments in history when people’s right to privacy or access to information has been affected – positively or negatively – and the role they have played in protecting our rights.

There’s a finely tuned feature with the New Horizons Choir, as choirmaster Tom and members of the group tell us about how they and Central Library have worked in perfect harmony over the years, plus the high notes you too could hit in life as part of their community choir.

Continuing our blockbuster ‘Branch Out’ two-part special, Alan is joined by chair of the Manchester Libraries Trust Brendan O’Shea; Head of Libraries, Galleries and Culture Neil MacInnes, and Sally, the current Manager of Chorlton Library, who all appear on the podcast to offer their perspectives on the freshly refurbished space.  
 
 Elsewhere, Alan and his trusty sidekick Gary Parkinson bring you all the best of What’s On across Manchester Libraries this month, including plugs for the Board Games Club at Central Library, a ‘Behind The Scenes Tour’, and the Age Friendly events at Moss Side Powerhouse and Gorton Hub. Plus, there’s a sneak preview for the highly anticipated “Oasis Week” at Central Library coming this July, which will feature exclusive live sets, quizzes, Q&As, and so much more. 
 

Brought to you by the recently awarded ‘Library of the Year’, Full Volume: The Manchester Libraries Podcast is back for a fantastic fifth episode.

 Filled with all kinds of facts, features and library-based fun, this month's big interview finds Full Volume sitting down with esteemed artist, illustrator and all-round good guy Stanley Chow. From how The White Stripes helped launch his artistic career to Grammy Nominations and his love of Manchester, there’s also chat of his recent collaboration with Central Library. Tune-in to get the full scoop.

A blockbuster ‘Branch Out’ feature finds our host Alan Lynch reporting back to the studio about the grand reopening of Chorlton Library. Speaking to some of the longstanding staff there about their memories of the library and their opinions on its glamourous makeover, Alan also chats to former Lord Mayor Paul Andrews who was also in attendance for the big reveal.
 
 Elsewhere, brace yourself for an in-depth analysis of Stephen King’s psychological horror classic ‘The Shining’ from one of Central Library’s brightest new recruits.
 
 Plus, Alan and his plucky What's On sidekick Gary Parkinson bring you all the best events happening across Manchester Libraries this month, including the return of the award winning Festival of Libraries in June, which features “Out of this World” Sunday Funday at Central Library, the arrival of some high tech VR Headsets, and hot picks from your favourite local libraries. Plus, listen out for the very exciting news of Manchester libraries being awarded the prestigious ‘Library of the Year’ at the recent British Book Awards 2025. More on that in the episode.

‘Full Volume: The Manchester Libraries Podcast’ takes listeners behind the shelves of our city’s much-loved libraries. Presented by the Central Library’s own Alan Lynch, every month the podcast lifts the lid on a treasure trove of insider tips, exclusive interviews, book reviews, and much more.

Receiving rave reviews and overwhelming support from listeners, the podcast has so far featured special guests such as celebrated author Dame Jacqueline Wilson, plus Manchester City Council’s Head of Libraries, Galleries, Culture and Youth, Play and Participation Services Neil MacInnes OBE, Manchester City Council photographer Barrie Leach speaking about his exhibition 'Our Town Hall: Portraits of a Workforce', BBC broadcaster and esteemed newspaper columnist Emma Barnett, and more.

 ‘Episode 5: Stanley Chow’, the fifth episode of ‘Full Volume: The Manchester Libraries Podcast’ is on all major streaming services now.
 
 Turn it up, and tune in to Episode 5 of Full Volume – now: https://push.fm/fl/actjsf7o-80012

 Watch out for Episode 6 in June…

Springing into the new season, FULL VOLUME: The Manchester Libraries Podcast is back with a brand new episode for April.

Packed with fantastic features, the lead interview this month finds our host Alan Lynch going head-to-head with top political journalist Emma Barnett. Perhaps best known for hosting the Today Programme on BBC Radio 4 and Woman's Hour, Emma is also an esteemed columnist and author. Recently appearing at Central Library to talk about her new book 'Maternity Service', you can hear her chatting candidly about Manchester, maternity and motherhood on the latest podcast.

Plus, later in the show, as a fellow mum and Central Library's new Interim Manager, Stephanie Hogan, heads into the book review corner to share her experiences and give her verdict on Emma's 'Maternity Service'.

Elsewhere, Alan takes a trip out to Gorton Hub for this month's 'Branch Out' segment. Speaking to members of the community on World Book Day, he gets the skinny on some of the wonderful events and services on offer there such as 'That Bread & Butter Thing'. And listen out for young book lover Oliver and his Guinness World Record breaking ambitions...

Ben Reed of the charity Music For The Senses also makes an appearance to talk about an exciting new Guitar amnesty and art trail project taking place across the city this Summer.

And of course there's the usual round up of exciting happenings across Manchester Libraries for the month ahead, with Alan's faithful sidekick Gary Parkinson dropping by with his picks of the bunch and a chat about the grand re-opening of Chorlton Library. Standby for more on Chorlton in the next edition....

FULL VOLUME: Episode 4 'Emma Barnett' is streaming now. 

Tune in and turn it up!

Now in its third episode, Full Volume: The Manchester Libraries Podcast returns with another feast of features for its listeners.

This month's big interview comes from the legendary DJ Paulette, who speaks to the podcast about her incredible life, brand new book, and her involvement in the upcoming Black British Book Festival at Central Library.

The Branch Out feature finds host Alan speaking to the Archives+ department of Central Library, and gets the scoop on the fantastic new Local Images website. 

There's a book review of a certified classic, Harry Potter & The Philosopher's Stone, by an avid reader and our youngest contributor yet.

Plus Alan and his What's On sidekick Gary Parkinson deliver the skinny on all the best and most interesting events happening across Manchester Libraries this month, including Gorton Library's Death Cafe's, the long-awaited reopening of Chorlton Library, Lego Club, festivals, and much more.

Turn it up, and tune in to Episode 3 of Full Volume - now!

Full Volume: The Manchester Libraries Podcast is back with an epic sequel.

The follow-up to the inaugural podcast finds our host Alan Lynch chatting to celebrated photographer Barrie Leach about 'Our Town Hall: Portraits of a Workforce', a new exhibition at the Manchester Central Library. 

This Month's 'Branch Out' feature goes behind the scenes at the Wythenshawe Forum library where Alan learns more about the portfolio of creative projects and sensational services being provided there. 

Elsewhere, we go crate digging with Nick Georgiou who tells us more about his highly popular 'Vinyl Listening Club'. 

In the Book Review corner, Producer Thom Williams revisits the David Nicholls classic 'One Day', following the release of its smash Netflix adaptation. 

Plus, Alan is joined by his formidable sidekick Gary Parkinson to deliver the skinny on all the hottest new events and happenings coming up in Manchester Libraries over the next few weeks. 

Turn it up, and tune in to Full Volume's Episode 2 now!