Welcome
Welcome to our latest edition! This month features the
new Leeds Storytelling Festival, more about our newly refurbished
Music Library, talks, a new Code Club, Rothwell Seed Library, reading
info and details of a special International Women's Day event, so
there's plenty to explore.
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.
Leeds Storytelling Festival
We're really excited to share the details of Leeds
Storytelling Festival, which will take place from 14 February to 8
March. The Festival will illuminate our city with award-winning
family theatre and acclaimed author readings as well as
costume-making workshops and a city-wide trail.
Check out the full programme.
The festival launches with Kate Pankhurst,
author of the Fantastically Great Women series, who has created an
exclusive logo for the festival and whose illustrations feature in a
trail of historical heroines across Leeds for families to seek and
mark off on an activity sheet.
There are costume-making workshops with the British Library,
theatre from Coalesce
and mini-movie screenings from Leeds
Young Film.
The following fortnight will be filled with poetry for
young people and parents/carers programmed by LIVEwire, children's
author events featuring Hiba
Noor Khan and Ashley
Thorpe, and more theatre performances from Blanket Fort Club
and Wrongsemble,
who close the festival with a premiere of Three Little Vikings,
inspired by Bethan Woolvin's picture book. An official Storytelling
Festival activity sheet will also be available in all libraries until
the end of March.
International Women's Day
A Voice of Their Own; Women in Contemporary Literature
Wednesday 5 March, 6.30-8.00pm, Central Library
To celebrate International
Women's Day 2025, we've assembled a panel featuring
three of the very best writers around: Naomi Booth, Lara Pawson
and Rose Ruane, for a discussion about women in
contemporary literature.
This is an amazing opportunity to hear the voices behind
some of the best books of the last few years talk about themselves
and their work, including discussion about portrayals of women in
contemporary literature and sharing their experiences of being women
writers in the modern publishing industry.
The event will also feature an audience Q&A and a
book-signing afterwards with our friends from Hold Fast Books so it
really is one not to be missed.
Book here for this Pay As You Feel
event, with a suggested donation of £5.00 per ticket.
Our New Music Library!
Last month we told you about our exciting newly
refurbished Music Library, on the first floor at Leeds Central
Library. Did you know it's the largest in the north of England?
It features state-of-the-art facilities, with sound
booths, pianos and other instruments as well as podcasting equipment,
all free for public use. Our vast collection of sheet music is now on
display, and there’s a performance space to host local artists,
bands, and orchestras. We're also working on a regular programme of events and
workshops for all ages, from song writing to open mic events and
opportunities to drop in and play instruments. Here are a few to
highlight...
Medici Mondays
Every Monday during term time we share fantastic
performances available through Medici.tv from 1.00-2.00pm. Just pop
in and see what's playing!
Medici.tv is the world's largest collection of classical
music, opera and dance videos. It gives free online access to 3,500
musical works filmed from the 1940s onwards plus over 2,500 videos of
concerts, operas, ballets, documentaries and master classes. Medici
is also available at home with your library card, sign up here.
Open Mic with Launchpad
Wednesday 19 February, 5.00-7.30pm, Music Library.
Looking for a laid-back space to share your creativity?
Whether you’re experienced or just want to try something new, this is
your chance to hop on stage and show what you’ve got in a super
chill, welcoming environment. No pressure, just good vibes and good
people.
Book your free ticket here.
Seven by Seven
Saturday 29 March, 11.00-3.30pm, Music Library
A friendly Leeds based open decks vinyl playing session.
Bring along and play 7 of your 7” 45rpm vinyl singles! No DJ skills
required - add your name on arrival, and we play in that order. If
you just want to come along to listen, you will be warmly welcomed!
The ethos is no pressure, no competition and no egos.
Book your free ticket here.
Uke Lending
Why not borrow a ukulele free of charge and explore something new? It's fun, easy to learn and we
have a range of resources to inspire you.
Just ask a member of staff for more info, or email musiclibrary@leeds.gov.uk
Cultural Conversations
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 BBC Radio 2: Listeners, DJs and Music
A Cultural Conversations event in partnership with Leeds Beckett
University
Thursday 27
February, 1.00-2.00pm, Central Library
This talk examines
listeners' engagement with BBC Radio 2, the UK's most popular radio
station, and its DJs and programmes. It explores Radio 2's shift to
post-1950s rock and roll music in the late 1990s, analysing its
shows, events, and listener passions. Funded by the British
Academy, this research highlights Radio 2's role as a model of
successful public service broadcasting and its broader significance
for the future of public media.
Free talk, please book here.
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 Purr-fect Pals: The Rise of Pet Cats in Modern Britain
Tuesday 25 February, 5.30-7.00pm, Central Library
In 2024 there were approximately 12.5 million pet cats
in the UK. Cats vie with dogs for the role of Britain’s top pet,
and are valued by their owners for their affection and
independence. Around two hundred years ago, cats had a different
profile: kept for their mousing abilities but often viewed with
suspicion.
This talk will explore the ascent of cats in British
pet culture. How and why did cats become popular? What are the cat
qualities that have been particularly prized? And why have
historians recently begun to pay more attention to animals?
Free talk, please book here.
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 New Teen Code Club!
Saturday 22 February, 1.30-2.30pm, Central Library
We are launching a Teen Code Club in February for
young people aged 13-16! If you are interested in coding, game and
app development, robotics, AI, machine learning, 3D printing and
more, then join us at our new club in Studio 12 at Leeds Central
Library!
You'll have free access to a wide range of
technologies to explore, tinker with, and develop your skills in a
friendly environment.
Book a free ticket here
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Book lists
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 One of our Unlimited Use titles on BorrowBox this month is Richard
Osman’s huge bestseller, The Last Devil to Die. The best thing is,
there are no waiting times on these titles!
If you fancy trying something similar to this series,
then here’s our list of Cosy Crime for you to reserve to
your nearest library.
As we celebrate LGBT+ History Month in February, we've
created an LGBT+ book list. And here's our Rainbow Age collection of graphic
novels, which has been curated and donated by Thought Bubble
Yorkshire Comic Arts Festival.
Happy reading!
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PressReader
Did you know you can access free newspaper online with
your library membership? It's available through Libby - just sign in with your
library card number, scroll down to PressReader and click
"Get"
There's a wide range of newspapers to check out, you can
read them for 30 days at a time and renew for free through Libby.
What's happening in our community libraries?
 Rothwell Seed Library
We've been working with Incredible Edible Network to
bring seed libraries and growing spaces to our community hubs and
libraries.
Anyone can be part of this Network, who connect
communities through food, turning spare community spaces into
vegetable patches and starting conversations around improving lives
and communities.
The seed library launched in March 2024 at Rothwell
with an Incredible Edible story and Plant session. Families came to
the library on a Saturday morning to listen to stories and plant
something to nurture and grow.
The seed library has become an important part of the
community offer at Rothwell. People come to get inspiration and
free seeds to start them on a growing adventure. Gardeners often
have too many of one seed and not enough of another. Customers have
brought in self-harvested seeds and packets they no longer require.
Parents at storytime can pick up a packet of broad
bean seeds or kale seeds. While the children at Kids Club make
friends, their grown-ups browse the seed selection, to see if there
is something new. Experienced gardeners give advice to complete
novices as they drop off their surplus seeds. The gardening books
are close-by, providing answers and inspiration for all manner of
gardening and growing projects.
"If you have a garden and a library, you have
everything you need" Cicero
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The joy of libraries
Recently we were delighted to be sent an article written
by David Robson, who has re-activated his library membership and was
surprised to find how much is on offer.
You can read his article here.
Across the city
 Free School Meals
In January 2024, 8,435 pupils entitled to a free
school meal missed out on a free hot, nutritious lunch.
We ensure meals provide the right balance of nutrients
so children are able to grow, learn and play.
Contact your school's office to find out if you’re
entitled to free school meals or you can apply online here.
|
 NHS
Healthy Start
The scheme helps young
families on low incomes to buy healthy food and milk. If you’re
more than 10 weeks pregnant or have children under four and receive
certain benefits, you could be eligible for NHS Healthy Start.
Once on the scheme, you’ll
receive a prepaid card, which you can use to buy fruit, vegetables,
pulses, milk and infant formula. The card can be used in most
places that sell healthy food and accept Mastercard® payments. You
can also get free Healthy Start vitamins. Find out if you’re
eligible and apply online now at www.healthystart.nhs.uk
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 St Gemma’s New Year Raffle
Enter today and be in with a chance of winning £3,000!
Each entry costs £2 and gives you a chance to win one
of three big cash prizes:
1st prize £3,000, 2nd prize £500, 3rd prize £250
Every ticket purchased is a life-changer, and helps
provide care for people in Leeds who have a terminal illness.
Buy your raffle tickets here where you'll also find full
details including T&Cs. The closing date for entries is 28th
February. The draw will take place on 10th March and winners will
be notified within 7 days.
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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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