Welcome
Welcome to the May edition of our library newsletter.
This month, we have an exciting line-up of events, talks and
activities for all ages. From writing to craft sessions, there's
something for everyone. Plus, catch up on all the latest news and
happenings at your library. Don't miss out on the fun - read on to
discover what's in store for you this May!
If you're not already, make sure you're following us on
social media to get the latest news and see what we're up to. You can
also check out our What's On in Leeds Libraries page on Leeds Inspired for
more details.
Beyond the Bassline
Our Beyond the Bassline exhibition, in partnership with
the British Library's Living Knowledge Network, opens on Friday 10
May at the Reginald Centre! It will shine a spotlight on different
voices and perspectives to celebrate Black British music as a form of
entertainment and vehicle for community, as well as a source of
liberation, protest and education.
Book your free ticket for
the main event...
Black British Music in Leeds
Friday 17 May, 6.00pm, Reginald Centre Community Hub and
Library
A tribute to the Windrush Generation and their
connection to Black British music. This event honours pioneers of
music activism and is headlined by Paulette Morris from Royal Blood,
known for their hits in the UK reggae charts during the 1980s.
Curated and co-presented by Khadijah Ibrahiim, other
artists and speakers include Norman Francis aka Too Tall, Annette
Morris, Chris Campbell, Richard Smith aka Fluid Irie, Patrick
Gatewood, Faadil Broderick aka Speedo MC, Kevin Decosta aka KD Ranks
and Phenicia Williams. Leeds' sound system culture has paved the way
for the next generation of music industry professionals and
performers. This line-up will provide a brief historical overview of
Leeds and its connections to the larger African-Caribbean community
via music, activism, and education.
Local & Community History Month
May is Local & Community History Month! It aims to
increase awareness of local history, promote history to the local
community and encourage everyone to join in.
Pages in Leeds Exhibition
Local & Family History, Central Library, during
opening hours.
The Skippko Community Research Team have been looking at
various objects and artefacts connected with the city of Leeds over
the past twelve months.
These come from the personal collection of Robin Dove, a
shopkeeper and local historian, who spent much of his life
researching and writing about Leeds and Chapel Allerton. Sadly Robin
passed away in 2022 and his archive was passed down to his nephew Matthew
Bellwood – one of the Skippko artists.
All the objects were made and used in Leeds at some
point over the last 150 years. They include hat brushes, alarm
clocks, beer pump badges, tuning forks, whistles, wall plaques,
bricks and money boxes. Members chose a selection of their favourite
ones to research and explore further.
Skippko are are looking for new members to join their
Research Team. If you're interested in local and family history or
enjoy chatting about objects or places of interest, contact cath.skippko@gmail.com.
Cultural Conversations
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 Park Life: Music in Roundhay Park by Dr Peter Mills
Wednesday 8 May, 1.00-2.00pm, Leeds Central Library
This conversation focuses on the history of pop music
concerts in Roundhay Park. The modern history stretches back to
1982 in terms of large-scale events, but the Park has a rich and
broad musical history which goes back much further. The importance
of Roundhay Park to the city's own self-image is considered, as is
the role the concerts played in the city's cultural reinvention in
the late 20th century. Following the timeline reveals much about
the changing nature of musical staging and performance, alongside
the city's willingness and capacity to stage such events. We'll
reflect on the future of huge events in the Park, post-pandemic, as
the music industry and the city of Leeds rapidly change.
Free talk, book here.
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Leeds Lit Fest
Leeds Lit Fest is back in June with another week of
amazing events and activities taking place all across the city. It’s
a brilliant line-up as usual, guaranteed to excite and delight
readers of all persuasions. You'll find our events below.
To see the full programme and book tickets for whichever
events take your fancy, please visit their website.
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 Writing Our Future
Monday 17 June, 6.30-8.00pm, Leeds Central Library
Join debut author Claire Carroll for a workshop on
creating fiction that reflects the varied experience of living
through the climate crisis.
Claire will help participants explore how their
writing can reflect the looming changes and complex emotional
states brought about by global warming and the capitalocene.
Young adults are welcome to join the workshop, but
there may be some adult themed content. Book here.
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 Polari Salon
Thursday 20 June, 6.30-8.00pm, Leeds Central Library
Founded in 2007 by author and activist Paul Burston,
Polari is a multi award-winning LGBTQ+ literary salon. Known for
its high energy, thought-provoking performances, Polari is a heady
mix of live literature and cabaret, in which the performers happen
to be writers.
Described by The Huffington Post as “the most exciting
literary moment in London”, the salon also tours regularly,
supported by Arts Council England.
Ever adaptable, Polari has appeared at bars, book
festivals, libraries, museums, nightclubs and theatres across the
UK and beyond. Each event showcases the best in established and
emerging LGBTQ+ talent.
Tickets are Pay As You Feel, book here.
Suitable for ages 16+
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Dying Matters Week 6-12 May
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 Death and loss are inevitable parts of life, and
navigating the emotions they bring can be incredibly difficult.
This Dying Matters Week, we have a range of books that explore
these sensitive topics with compassion and guidance.
For adults, memoirs like "When Breath Becomes
Air" and "Dear Life" offer raw and honest accounts
of facing terminal illness and loss. Titles like "You Are Not
Alone" and "Grief Works" provide practical advice
and support for navigating the grieving process.
We also have books specifically written for children,
such as "A Monster Calls" and "If All the World
Were," which use storytelling to help children understand and
cope with the loss of a loved one. "Luna's Read Hat" is
specifically designed to support children who have experienced the
loss of someone to suicide.
Preparing for death is another important topic.
"Funerals Your Way" offers guidance on planning a
personalised funeral, while "A Straightforward Guide to
Handling Bereavement" provides practical steps for handling
the immediate aftermath of a death.
Whether you are seeking personal stories of loss,
practical advice on coping with grief, or support for children, we
have books that can help you through this challenging time. Simply
pop in, or search our catalogue.
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Crime Awards Longlists
The Crime Awards longlists of the year have just been
announced, and we have ordered all of the books on the lists. You can
reserve and collect
them from your local library! See the lists below:
Harrogate
Theakston Crime Awards
Crime Writers' Association
Daggers
Mini Playboxes
We're thrilled to have expanded our Mini Playboxes to 29
libraries and community hubs across Leeds. They're packed with fun
and engaging self-serve activities for children under five and their
families to enjoy. Each box has six drawers full of open-ended play
activities which can be recreated at home with objects you're likely
to already have. Open-ended play supports early speech and language
development, numeracy skills and encourages creativity.
The Mini Playboxes are free to use and are available at
the following libraries in the children's area during opening hours:
Ardsley & Tingley, Armley, Beeston, Bramley,
Calverley, Central Library, Chapel Allerton, Crossgates, Dewsbury
Road, Farsley, Garforth, Gildersome, Halton, Headingley, Holt Park,
Horsforth, Hunslet, Kippax, Morley, Oakwood, Otley, Pudsey, The
Compton Centre, The Reginald Centre, Rothwell, Seacroft, St George’s
Centre, Yeadon, Whinmoor.
 Leeds Zine Library Lates - Foodie!
Wednesday 29 May, 5.30-7.30pm, Art Library, Leeds
Central Library
This month we have a Foodie edition of the Leeds Zine
Library Lates exploring themes around food and recipes. Bring your
best loved recipe to share for the recipe zine!
Make a zine about your favourite dish, a family meal
from your hometown, favourite takeaway or a tv chef's latest
offering. We will be creating fabric food good enough to eat and
looking at Leeds Libraries cookbooks for inspiration.
Book your free ticket here.
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What's happening in our community libraries?
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Rothwell Library & Community Hub has undergone a
recent refurbishment. Why not pop in and check out the fresh new
look?
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Intersectional Book Recommendations
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 Butter by Asako Yuzuki
Manako Kajii, is a famous gourmet cook and convicted serial killer
of lonely businessmen. She refuses to speak with any press or
entertain visitors.
That is, until journalist Rika Machida writes a letter asking for
her beef stew recipe. Kajii just can't resist writing back... this
book is a vivid and unsettling exploration of misogyny, obsession
and fatphobia.
Available on BorrowBox.
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 Who’s Afraid of Gender by Judith Butler
The famed contributor to Feminist, Political and Queer
Theory returns with a deceptively simple question: Who’s Afraid of
Gender?
After Butler described gender as performative, and 3rd wave
feminism worked to disassemble institutionalised misogyny, why are
so many people so eager give their power away to authoritarian
forces, and be so confident it won’t be used against them?
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 The Story of my Life by Helen Keller
Helen Keller is one of the most accomplished Deafblind
people in the world: A suffragette, disability rights activist,
published author, lecturer and founding member of the ACLU. Her
autobiography describes her experience learning sign language
through touch alone – growing up ‘as if at sea, in a dense fog’.
Available at Central Library, in the 2nd floor Local
and Family History Library.
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SIM Gifting
We are delighted to have been the top SIM gifting hub in
February!
Since we joined the Good Things Foundation's
National Databank in September 2022, we have gifted
thousands of SIMs that have provided over £100,000's worth of data to
help people in our communities to get online and stay connected.
These SIMs are available at Leeds Central Library,
Armley Community Hub & Library, Dewsbury Road Community Hub &
Library, the Compton Centre Community Hub & Library and the
Reginald Centre Community Hub & Library.
Databanks can also be found at organisations around
Leeds - see the map here.
Across the city
 SEND Next Choices event
Tuesday 25 June, Leeds First Direct Arena
This event will bring together a wide range of
organisations who can answer your questions about what to do next
if you have a special educational need and/or a disability.
Find out about jobs, training, apprenticeships,
college courses, supported internships, voluntary work, leisure
activities, finances, benefits and organisations who can help you.
Young people, parents, carers, teachers and support
workers are all welcome!
Book your free place here.
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Find out more
Did you know we have two further library newsletters,
where you can find out more about family friendly activities, local
history and books and reading? Sign up here:
Thank you for reading our latest
newsletter. We look forward to welcoming you soon - get in touch or find your
local library
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