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Learning at the Portico Library

Learning through fun creative activity, writing and reading is the beating heart of the library. We believe learning is lifelong so feel free to use our resources whatever age you are, using a school curriculum or just to find out more!

We hope that this web page will grow over the next few years with our Reunited Project, which is expanding our space and minds so we can share our collection of historic books and beautiful building with more people. This page shares what we are doing now and keeps all our informative resources in one place.

Have a look below at all the ways that you can learn with The Portico Library.

 
 

A timeline of events in the First Opium War

Old Houses by the Exchange, Manchester 1847-9. Portico Collection - Steve Little Archive.

Trading the Poppy Schools’ Resource

A Key Stage 3 schools’ resource has been produced from the work and activities as part of the 2024 Infamous: Opium, Silk and the Mission exhibition to explore the role of the global impact of and Empire in the industrial revolution and Manchester’s role on the international stage. This work is part funded by the Granada Foundation. The resource has Teachers’ Notes, A Powerpoint Presentation (with video embedded) and Student Worksheet with a Timeline.

Homes for boggarts made at family workshops

Image of teaching assistant helping a child in a school

Mischievous Creatures: Folk Tales in the Northwest

Unleash your class's imagination with these fun craft and creative KS2 (adaptable for KS1) writing activities inspired by Northern folklore and the Portico collection. Developed by the Portico Library with support from creative practitioner Sumayyah El-Din and acclaimed author Marie Basting. Explore some of the mischievous folk who appear in traditional tales commonly told in the North. Meet characters like Will-O-The-Wisp, and Wag-at-the-Wa who preside over marshlands and roaring fires, and discover the comedic mischief of the Mancunian Boggarts. Then create your own stories about them and / or create their house. Download our Teachers’ Notes, Powerpoint Presentation and Character Card for use in the classroom.

 
 

Portico Sadie Massey Award & Art of the Book

Established in 2015, the Portico Sadie Massey Awards (PSMAwards) aims to encourage a life-long love of reading and writing in young people from all backgrounds.

The Awards are named after Glasgow-born Sadie Massey and her desire to spread a love of reading and writing. We are in MADE - the cultural offer for schools in Manchester.

·  Reading and Writing Competitions: Reviews of any book and short stories set in the North of England – Open to all schools and young people aged 7 – 18 years: Free to enter. For terms and more information go to PSMA.

Opens Wednesday, 1st October 2025 - Closes midnight, Friday, 20th March 2026

·  Art of the Book Award: Create a book using art & words to tell your story – Open to Pupil Referral Units and Schools and departments with Special Educational Needs in Greater Manchester aged 7 - 19 years: Free to enter. For terms and more information go to PSMA.

Opens Wednesday, 1st October 2025 - Closes midnight, Friday, 13th February 2026

·  Creative writing workshops: Inspired by and unique to the Portico Library: Available to schools & centres in Greater Manchester.

Sara after reading. Photo Lucy Cartwright Photography: https://www.lucyphotography.com/

 
 
 
 

Free Downloadable Resources

The Portico Library has many other resources for you to download for free.

  • The Infamous: Opium, Silk and the Mission exhibition catalogue written by curator and expert Iris Yau is available to download here.

  • Try out our online jigsaws here.

  • We have lockdown activities, such as Portico Library Bingo here.

  • Find out more about Publishing in a series of videos from 2021 Pathways to Publishing.

And there is much more on our YouTube channel.

 
 
 
 

Events and Activities

We run events all year round so check out our What’s On Page for more information on talks, creative workshops, family activities and performances.

We’d like to thank our current and past funders the National Heritage Lottery Fund, Granada, Arts Council England for making these resources and activities possible.

We need your support to continue our important work with people in Manchester and the world!