Everything and Nothing: what makes a 220-year-old library?

Free entry, during Library’s opening time.

Friday 20 March - Saturday 3 October 2026

What makes the Portico Library?

Is it the books? Is it the history? Is it the building?

Is it the people who walked through the doors? the readers? the members? the staff?

Or is it the feeling you have when you enter the room?

The Portico Library is going through a rapid change. This exhibition explores the idea of the Portico as a box holding memories; a place to look back in time at 220 years and a place to imagine what a library could be like in 10, 50 and a 100 years’ time. We have reconnected with past colleagues, members, and users to select the things that tell us forgotten stories from this room.

Come and explore the adventures, the mystery, the fun and sad stories the Portico has witnessed. There is a chance for you to take part in our Time Capsule project, writing a memory of the Portico on a postcard that will be stored in the Portico archive to be opened in the year 2076.

Featured artists and collaborators:

Hathaikan Kongaunruan, Pamela Galloway and Charlotte Coull.

Cheshire Archives and the Chester Archaeological Society for the generous loan of Thomas Harrison’s architectural plan.

We want to thank Harry Tinsley Pratt, our former Librarian for the inspiration of this exhibition.

And thanks to every previous librarian, keeper of rooms, porter, researchers and storymakers.

Curated by Apapat Jai-in Glynn in collaboration with Dr Debbie Challis and The Portico Library team.

Thank you to all of our volunteers who supported the making of this exhibition.

Exhibition enquiries

Please contact Apapat at engagement@theportico.org.uk