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Then and Now: John Rylands library

THEN: John Rylands Library

But now it is shrouded in scaffolding as £16milllion worth of repairs is carried out on the building.

When the historic library was built in the 1890s, its treasures were prized throughout the world as it holds an amazing collection of rare books and manuscripts including the earliest fragment of the New Testament in existence.

Though it was once an independent institution, the University of Manchester later snapped up its rare collection of books and medieval manuscripts in 1972.

And for years students and professors have been walking through the majestic doors to see its hidden historical treasures.

NOW: The library is having a face-lift

In the last century the historic landmark remained the same while the rest of Deansgate flourished with a stampede of new shops and bars springing up on the busy street.

Now finally the library is to get its own facelift as Manchester University steps in to revamp the dusty landmark with the help of lottery cash.

When the doors are finally opened to academics and tourists in 2005, there will be a new entrance wing, new exhibition galleries and more reader facilities.

The archive photograph is part of a collection chronicling the changing face of Manchester over the past 250 years.

The collection comprises more than 77,000 images on a computer at Manchester Central Library.

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