The world-renowned John Rylands University Library is to launch the Friends of the John Rylands.
Formed to provide a means by which individuals and organisations are able to be involved in the development of the work of the prestigious library, the Friends of the John Rylands will be launched by Sir Howard Bernstein, Chief Executive of Manchester City Council.
The launch of the Friends of the John Rylands will take place at a special reception at the Main Library at the University of Manchester (Burlington Street, off Oxford Road) at 5.30pm on Monday 2 February.
Bill Simpson, Director of the John Rylands Library and University Librarian, commented: "The John Rylands Library is undoubtedly one of the greatest libraries in the world. We want to share it with the people of Manchester and the North West. Friends of John Rylands will help us to do this and allow people to benefit from special opportunities to enjoy its treasures, hear distinguished speakers and see how the collections are cared for behind the scenes. This is a great opportunity for people to become involved in a wonderful intellectual voyage of discovery."
Friends will receive invitations to private views, special receptions and events, behind the scenes tours and special lectures introducing the Library's history, architecture and collections, given by experts in the field, as well as a regular newsletter.
Although the John Rylands Library on Deansgate is currently closed for development, the Friends of the John Rylands is being launched now to maintain interest in the historic Deansgate building and to raise awareness of the fact that the collections continue to be available through the Main University Library (on Burlington Street, off Oxford Road, near the University of Manchester's main building). A full programme of events will be provided and will be announced soon after the launch of the Friends.