The John Rylands Library (@thejohnrylands.bsky.social)

@thejohnrylands.bsky.social Sep 25, 2026, 9:30 AM

Interested in learning more about the Medieval world and books like this one? Join us tomorrow, 26 September, as part of the 2026 Medieval Faire.

You can find more information here: https://ow.ly/y4Zg50ZR5r4

📸: Psalterium Benedictinum cum canticis et hymnis, Peter Schoeffer, 1490, Ref. JRL19080004

Page of printed text. Most of the letters are printed in black, but some initial letters are red. A large letter "D" has additional decoration in grey around it. There are 3 lines of musical notation at the top of the page.

@thejohnrylands.bsky.social Sep 19, 2026, 9:30 AM

Join us next weekend on Saturday, 26 September, for activities linked to the 2026 Medieval Faire.

This is a free, drop in event between 11:00am and 4:00pm. You can find more information here: https://ow.ly/bmHw50ZMsNx

📸: St Christopher Woodcut, 1435-1450, Ref. JRL1200357.

Saint Christopher strides across a river. He holds a staff and carries the infant Christ, who blesses with his right hand and holds an Orb in his left. Hills form steep, jutting cliffs on either side of the river. A hermit kneels on the right, holding a lantern. On the left, one man rides a mule, carrying a sac; another climbs a steep road that ascends to a small house. Text along the bottom: "Cristofori faciem quacumque tueris Illa nempe die morte mala non morieris Millesimo cccc° xx° tertio".

@thejohnrylands.bsky.social Sep 17, 2026, 9:15 AM

In our latest guest blog, Timothée Dereuder explores 146 letters responding to Patrick Keatley’s 1952 investigation 'The Traffic in Irish Horses', revealing debates around animal welfare, British identity and morality:
https://ow.ly/9VR950ZMTIJ

📸H. G. B. Wilson. June 15, 1952 (GDN 223/4/162)

Typed letter from The Dewsbury Reporter discussing ethical concerns about animal slaughter, signed by H.G.B. Wilson.

@thejohnrylands.bsky.social Sep 14, 2026, 9:30 AM

Who used the library in 1900? This reader application form was submitted by Isaac Schliffer a bookbinder from Moss Side. To use the library’s collection today you can apply online and make an appointment to access the collections. Or you can browse digitised collections available online.

Handwritten application form from 1900 for permission to read at the John Rylands Library in Manchester.

@thejohnrylands.bsky.social Sep 8, 2026, 3:40 PM

New collections incoming… We’re installing new books and manuscripts in the Collections Gallery. Look out for this small Icelandic manuscript when you visit. Galleries are free to visit. Open Wednesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm.

Hands holding an open, small manuscript with handwritten text on aged pages against a dark background.

@thejohnrylands.bsky.social Sep 4, 2026, 9:30 AM

Didn't get a chance to come to our Collection Encounter on Wednesday?

Our latest blog is by Ellesse Patterson, who hosted the session, exploring the connection between the Library and one of Britain’s most notorious literary forgers.

Read the full blog here: https://ow.ly/oF5g50ZGqts

@cdrose.bsky.social Sep 1, 2026, 9:35 AMReposted by @thejohnrylands.bsky.social

Manchester! I will soon be leading a @royalliteraryfund.bsky.social Reading Round at @thejohnrylands.bsky.social looking at works related to the collection of Enriqueta Rylands. Come along, it's free!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/reading-ro...

@thejohnrylands.bsky.social Jun 4, 2026, 9:00 AM

We are delighted to announce the acquisition of the archive of writer and broadcaster Frank Tilsley (1904-1957) by The John Rylands Library.

Read more in our latest blog by Curator Jess Smith: https://ow.ly/NnkL50Z4L6X

📸Tilsley book signing, WH Smith, Victoria Station, 1953