Manchester Metropolitan University Special Collections Museum

About the museum

The Special Collections Museum supports teaching, learning and research at Manchester Metropolitan University and its wider communities by giving hands-on access to collections and archives. It continues the tradition of object-based learning at the Manchester School of Art, whose Arts and Crafts museum once displayed teaching collections around 1900.

The holdings cover artists’ books, book design, children’s books, zines, decorated papers, posters and design teaching slides. Named collections include the Schmoller Collection of Decorated Papers, the Malcolm Garrett Collection and the Phillip Granville Poster Collection.

The museum also cares for archives such as those of Barnett Freedman, Joan Charnley, the Society of Wood Engravers, the Manchester School of Art and the architects Thomas Worthington and Sons. A Reading Room and a Learning Space on the library’s upper floors are dedicated to study of the material.

Highlights

• Artists’ books and book design collections
• Schmoller Collection of Decorated Papers
• Malcolm Garrett and Phillip Granville collections
• Barnett Freedman and Joan Charnley archives
• Reading Room and Learning Space for hands-on study

Permanent exhibition

• Special Collections and archives – Collections of artists’ books, book design, zines, decorated papers and posters, with archives of designers, printmakers and architects, available for hands-on study.

Operated by

Manchester Metropolitan University

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Step-free access: a ramp leads to automatic glass doors at the front of the Library. All floors can be reached by stairs or passenger lifts, and there is an accessible toilet on the first and second floors. Visitors with access requirements are asked to contact the museum beforehand.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The Library entrance is on Oxford Road, opposite the Manchester Technology Centre.

Amenities & dining

• Café

The nearest café is on the ground floor of the Library near the entrance. Toilets and prayer rooms are available on the upper floors.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit