Carcanet Press relocates to the University of Manchester library

Carcanet Press has relocated from its headquarters in Cross Street, central Manchester, to the University of Manchester library in Oxford Road. Carcanet had previously spent 22 years in its old headquarters.

Carcanet’s relationship with the university stretches back to 1971 when Michael Schmidt, founder and m.d. of Carcanet Press, took up an academic post and was given an office in the library basement. Then, on the advice of Philip Larkin, the press’s archive was acquired by The John Rylands Library.

In that time, there there have been work experience placements for University of Manchester students, including a current year-long internship programme, and summer short courses on writing. For 20 years the press has co-hosted events with the university’s Centre for New Writing, and an annual Rylands Reading.

Professor Christopher Pressler, university librarian and director of The John Rylands Library, said: “I am delighted that Carcanet staff are now working alongside library colleagues in the main library. The library has a deep and long-standing relationship with Carcanet and we have undertaken many projects together that have benefited students, researchers and, of course, both our organisations. The move will bring further opportunities to develop this unique partnership.”

Michael Schmidt said: “This is like coming home to roost. It’s the natural habitat for Carcanet and has been since 1972. It’s a lovely nesting place, and I’m glad we are elevated out of the basement for this return, warm and dry though the basement was. Chris Pressler may already be, or is on his way to becoming, a saint.”

John McAuliffe, associate publisher at Carcanet Press and director of Creative Manchester, said: “Creative Manchester has developed a strong relationship with Carcanet in recent years, which includes teaching on our BA and MA Creative Writing Programme, partnership activity with other organisations including the UNESCO City of Literature, and a year-long placement at the press’s excellent communications and marketing department. We are delighted that the library will be the press’s new home, strengthening our existing links and offering further opportunities to work with both the press and its era-defining archives.”

Carcanet Press is a literary publisher with a list of modern and classic poetry and related titles in English and translation. An Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation, the press was founded in 1969 and has been based in Manchester since 1971.