| John Rylands Library | - Founded by Mrs Enriqueta Rylands in memory of late husband
- Core collection of 40,000 rare books purchased in 1892
- Architect was Basil Champneys (1842-1935)
- Opened to readers on January 1, 1900
- Houses the St. Christopher Woodcut (1423) - the oldest surviving piece of European printing which is dated
- Its collection of Caxton's printings, incl. 'The Canterbury Tales' is largest outside the British Library
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In 2005, we asked you, the public, to nominate your favourite pre-1900 structure for a BBC programme, Seven Man-made Wonders of the North West, being shown on Sunday 12 February 2006. When Karen Whitwood from Stretford suggested the Gothic architectural oddity that is John Rylands University Library of Manchester, we asked her to tell us why: John Rylands Library - by Karen Whitwood “The first time I visited the John Rylands, I thought it was amazing. I went with a colleague from work and we were both a bit gobsmacked when we walked in, to be honest. “Looking from the outside, from Deansgate say, you don’t realise what’s inside. It’s a bit of a hidden gem that looks a bit like a church. When you walk in, there’s this really fantastic staircase which sweeps upwards.
 | | Karen Whitwood |
“I think buildings like this are really important to a city like Manchester because of their historical interest and significance. In some ways, they show off the city’s industrial heritage down the years. “On the visit, I learnt that John Rylands, who the library was named after by his widow Enriqueta, died in 1888. Then Enriqueta inherited a massive amount – almost £3 million – and she decided to build a public library in his memory. “Apparently, Rylands was the son of Joseph and Elizabeth Pilkington whose nephew founded the glass-making company. He also became Manchester’s most successful cotton magnate – so Mrs Rylands clearly felt she had to do something pretty monumental when he died! | "The John Rylands Library must be one of the most magnificent buildings in the whole of the city " | | Karen Whitwood |
“When you know even just a little bit of that history as context, I think it adds to the way you appreciate the building. If I’m being honest, the John Rylands must be one of the most magnificent buildings in the whole of the city – and that’s saying something. “Working where I do in the city centre - you realise how many fantastic buildings there are. The Town Hall and all the university buildings down Oxford Road really are impressive and give you a sense of pride to live in Manchester. “There’s also one other cool reason why I’d vote for the John Rylands – the cool toilets! When me and my friend went on our first visit, we both used the loos and thought they were brilliant because of the oldy worldy tiling." | 
