“It helps you explore what it is to be human.” Becky Swain, Director of the new Manchester Poetry Library, talks to Northern Soul

When you think about a traditional library, what comes to mind? Books from floor to ceiling? Maybe a frosty librarian and a lot of dramatic shushing? Growing up I adored the library, but years spent at university, pouring over textbooks and watching the person sitting next to me sneakily wolf a smelly tuna sandwich, dampened my library-loving spirit. It’s only in recent years that I’ve rekindled the flame.