Hulme Library sits beside Birchall Way at the corner of Clopton Walk.  It was designed by the City ArchitectS. G. Besant-Roberts and opened in 1962.

The library is under a threat of closure as the city struggles to accommodate significant cuts to its funding in 2011.  The proposal is to close this building and relocate the library to share premises with the neighbouring Zion Centre or Moss Side Leisure Centre.  An article in the Manchester Evening News, dated February 8, 2011, by Deborah Linton was headed, "Libraries shut, free parking, bin collections hit - more details odf services affected by cuts."  It reported that, "Libraries, swimming pools and leisure centres will bear the brunt of the savage council cuts. All of Manchester’s 26 libraries will close completely on Fridays and Sundays. Five will shut altogether, saving nearly £400,000. They are Clayton, East City in Openshaw, Rackhouse in Wythenshawe, Barlow Moor in Chorlton and – later - Miles Platting. Council chiefs say that they have been chosen because they are all within a mile of better services. Hulme library will shut and its services move to either Moss Side leisure centre or the Zion Arts Centre."

The discussions about closure of the library have not been popular in the local community.  Among the concerns is the thought that if the library moves the existing build may well be sold and probably demolished.  If that is true the question being asked is, "what will happen to the Hulme Mural?" that covers the Birchill Way side of the library (as you can see above).

The 84 foot long ceramic mural was created between 2000 and 2002 by the "Hulme Urban Potters" a group composed of students and tutors from the Hulme Adult Education Centre.  It chronicles the history of the community from Roman Times to the present day.