Editing Manchester Central Library (section)

===Opening===
The Central Library opened in 1934 to much fanfare. Singer-songwriter [[Ewan MacColl]] reminisced on the opening: "The new Central Library which replaced the chicken house was an imposing circular structure with an enormous reading room, a small theatre and carrels where serious students could carry on their research without interruption. The portico of the magnificent edifice quickly became a popular rendezvous and "Meet you at the Ref" became a familiar phrase on the lips of students, lovers and unemployed youths. I was there on the opening day and on many days thereafter; the Ref played an important part in my life for I made many friends there."<ref>{{Cite web|title=History of Central Library|url=http://www.manchester.gov.uk/info/500138/central_library/1212/history_of_central_library/6|website=Manchester City Council|at=Famous Names|access-date=10 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404203009/http://www.manchester.gov.uk/info/500138/central_library/1212/history_of_central_library/6|archive-date=4 April 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The library was declared open by King George V on 17 July 1934.<ref name="opening">{{Cite web |title=History of Central Library |url=http://www.manchester.gov.uk/info/500138/central_library/4586/history_of_central_library/4 |website=Manchester City Council |access-date=10 November 2011|at=The Opening of Central Library}}</ref> George V declared to the crowd: "In the splendid building which I am about to open, the largest library in this country provided by a local authority, the Corporation have ensured for the inhabitants of the city magnificent opportunities for further education and for the pleasant use of leisure."<ref name="opening"/>

An employee at the library who was present on opening day said: "When it was being built the public were very intrigued about its final appearance – they were used to rectangular buildings and the shape of the girders used seemed to make little sense. I remember families coming in first to "gawp"...&nbsp;Under the portico became a favourite trysting place. In all, the shape of the building was its best advertisement and it was never necessary to put a notice 'Public Library' on the outside."<ref>{{Cite web |title=History of Central Library |url=http://www.manchester.gov.uk/info/500138/central_library/4586/history_of_central_library/3|website=Manchester City Council|at=Designing and Building the Central Library}}</ref>