text: The library is made up of collections brought together: These are the library of the Manchester Mechanics' Institute, established in 1824; the library of the Manchester Medical Society, established in 1834; the library of the Manchester Royal Infirmary from the 1750s to the late 19th century; and the Radford Library from St Mary's Hospital, Manchester (early obstetrical and gynaecological literature collected by surgeon Thomas Radford).