CityLife

Lunchtime Literature at Central Library

Manchester Central Library

THE literary events impresarios at Central Library have been taking a well-deserved break over the summer, but are set to return with gusto before closing for a massive three to four year refurbishment, so now's the time to make the most of what's on offer.

Lunchtime readings continue to offer respite from the workaday bustle of the city centre on Wednesday 23 September when PhD students from the University's Centre for New Writing will be reading from their work, giving literature enthusiasts a chance to hear from the city's emerging talent.

The monthly poetry reading on Friday 25 September will feature award-winning poet Julia Deakin and the Liverpool poet Rebecca Goss. Deakin won the Northern Exposure Poetry Competition in 2006 and has been praised by Simon Armitage for writing 'crafted, tender poems, written with passion and purpose'.

Goss' first full-length collection is due for publication next year and her poems have appeared in many literary magazines including Ambit, Stand, Magma, Mslexia and Smiths Knell. Her pamphlet collection, Keeping Houston Time (Slow Dancer Press) was published in 1997.

The Library is also hosting an open mic lunchtime session on Wednesday 30 September for the over-50s to celebrate the Valuing Older People Festival. New writers are particularly welcome and each performer will have a slot of four minutes to read their work in a supportive and friendly environment.

All lunchtime events run from 1-2pm in the Committee Room. They are free and there's no need to book. For more information contact Libby Tempest, the Library's Cultural Services Manager on 0161 234 1981 or L.Tempest@manchester.gov.uk