The John Rylands Library, part of The University of Manchester Library, has been awarded the FX Award for Museum or Exhibition Space 2025, triumphing in a highly competitive international category.
The Library was recognised alongside an exceptional field of global institutions including The Long Museum (Shanghai, China), The Florence Nightingale Museum (London, UK), Übersee Museum (Bremen, Germany), National Maritime Museum (London, UK), Missoni Sky (Toronto, Canada), KINCANG Lounge (Shaoxing, China), Manchester Art Gallery (Manchester, UK), Perth Museum (Perth, Australia), Rapt Studio (Milan, Italy), Toyota City Museum (Toyota, Japan), and the Royal Museum of Fine Arts (Antwerp, Netherlands).
The award recognises the successful completion of The John Rylands Library Next Chapter project, delivered through a collaboration between the University Library, architects Donald Insall Associates, and designers Nissen Richards Studio. The achievement is particularly fitting as The John Rylands Library celebrates its 125th anniversary year, having first opened to readers and visitors on 1 January 1900.
Professor Christopher Pressler, University Librarian, and his senior team at the University of Manchester have been working for five years through the University Library’s Imagine2030 vision to deliver this transformative project. The work focused on the sensitive upgrade to key areas to enhance visitor engagement and to ensure that the Grade I-listed building can respond to and cater for the challenges of the next generation.
The project included the total refurbishment of the main exhibition spaces, the development of a state-of-the-art advanced imaging laboratory, the creation of a flexible event and teaching space, and a complete reimagining of the main entrance, retail and welcome areas.
