WelcomeWelcome to our latest edition! This month we feature new exhibitions, art and music events, a selection of books that give us hope, a fantastic case study from our business team, details about useful free resources that come with your library membership, and more! 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.  A FREE exhibition at Armley Community Hub and Library: 2 May to 6 June, Rothwell Community Hub and Library: 13 June to 18 July and the Compton Centre: 25 July to 18 August. Unearthed will come to Leeds Central Library in September with an immersive soundscape from Buffalo Sound Design. The exhibition will explore the transformative, enriching and sometimes radical power of gardening. Inspired by the British Library’s major exhibition (2 May-10 August), we are part of a network of 30 library services celebrating gardening through the UK-wide Living Knowledge Network.
From windowsills to allotments, Unearthed: The Power of Gardening explores how the act of gardening can heal and sustain people in a multitude of ways. It reveals how gardening can bring people together, empower communities and shape our relationship with the natural world. It also considers gardening as a form of activism, as a means of challenging land ownership and highlighting social disparities, as well as providing a global story about the movement of plants. A Call-Out to GroupsAs part of this project, we want to connect with groups and organisations involved in gardening, conservation and outdoor spaces. If you would like to be included in this directory and are interested in collaborating with partners across the city please complete this short form.  Our new Voice of the Fans exhibition at Leeds Central Library, co-produced by the British Library, opens on 9 May in Room 700 on the first floor. The exhibition is FREE for everyone to attend and you're very welcome to visit any time during our opening hours. Dive into the world of fanzines including Leeds United powerhouse The Square Ball, the global When Saturday Comes, the long-running City Gent, and the imaginatively titled War of the Monster Trucks – each brimming with unique perspectives, humour and passion. Discover how zines were a vehicle for building communities, sparking change and amplifying voices in the fight against racism and homophobia, while championing women’s football and grassroots action. Born out of the DIY ethos of the music and punk scenes, the raw creativity of football zines remains inspiring and relevant in today’s game. The exhibition showcases fan-driven creativity from the UK and Ireland, with some of the longest running and most influential football zines, alongside stories of well-known names who started their careers writing for these grassroots publications. We'll also be announcing our programme of events very soon!  Leeds Zine Library Lates!Stephen Lawrence DayTuesday 22 April, 5.30-7.30pm, Art Library, Leeds Central Library In commemoration of Stephen Lawrence Memorial Day, we are hosting a creative zine making workshop with the School of Law at the University of Leeds and Dwayne Hutchinson of AccomplishBCEL® Leeds University are bringing together members of the community in Leeds and their law students, who have been making zines on policing and the state of racial injustice in the UK. On this day, the conversations and zines will be about Stephen Lawrence, his legacy, and his family's ongoing fight for justice. We'll be joined by Dwayne Hutchinson, a Personal & Community Development Specialist working with people of all ethnicities. He raises awareness about what's happening in the Black community within the UK. This includes addressing the ongoing challenges and barriers for Black Boys, Black Young Men and Black Men, in order to find lasting solutions that provide positive outcomes. There will be time for questions and discussion, and to find out more about Leeds Zine Library. Light refreshments will be provided. Book your free ticket here. |
 Open Mic Nights, in partnership with LaunchpadMonthly - every third Wednesday, 5.00-7.30pm Looking for a laid-back space to share your creativity? Join us in partnership with Launchpad for an Open Mic Night in the newly refurbished Music Library at Leeds Central Library. 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. Register now and select an available slot. |
Music Collections in Leeds: From the Local to the GlobalTuesday 24 April, 10am-5pm at the University of Leeds Wednesday 25 April, 10am-5pm at Leeds Central Library, 1st Floor, Music A two-day symposium on the music collections and contexts of University of Leeds Libraries, Leeds Central Library and Leeds City Museum featuring a series of talks and two concerts. Speakers will address subjects including the music collector W. T. Freemantle, the Leeds International Piano Competition, the Opera North Archive, the composer Denis ApIvor, the Leeds Victorian Music Collection, the folksong collector Frank Kidson, and the music of the early eighteenth-century Leeds Partbooks. Tickets £10-£30. More info and book here.  Books that give us hopeAt the start of the new year we asked our wonderful readers at Central Library to recommend books that had given them hope. Here are a few of their suggestions: The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace Heartstopper by Alice Oseman The Reading List by Sarah Nisha Adams Gender Euphoria, edited by Laura Kate Dale The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune You can search for and borrow these lovely books via our catalogue. |
 | | April BorrowBox collectionApril is Earth Month, and we have a celebrating the planet on BorrowBox for you to check out and reserve. Happy reading! |
 Case Study from our Business TeamOver the past 18 months, our business librarians have supported entrepreneurs from across Leeds through the Start-up and Grow programme. We’ve met many amazing entrepreneurs, including Louise Askin, founder of Lavender and Twine. After taking redundancy from a 25-year job, Louise wanted to pursue her passion for flower arranging and start her own floristry business. Unsure where to begin, she discovered our Start-up and Grow programme and attended workshops in early 2024, finding the support invaluable. "It made me aware of many things I wouldn’t have known and would have done differently without the guidance I received.”
Louise quickly connected with the local community, setting up stalls at craft markets including a regular pitch at Pudsey market. Her flowers are now stocked by local green grocers, and she delivers workshops on flower arranging and wreath making at a local pottery café. Sustainability is key to Louise’s business model, with a focus on using recycled materials wherever possible. Take a closer look at Louise’s flower creations here If you would like to find out more about the support we offer, the team are delivering a “What next for your business idea?” workshop on Tuesday 6 May, where you'll be able to discover the free resources that can help you start and grow your business. Find out more on our Eventbrite page or contact bipcleeds@leeds.gov.uk for more information. |
Did you know that with your library membership you can access a wide range of free and reliable information, which can help you with research, school, college or university studies, expanding your knowledge or simply pursuing your interests. Simply log in with your Leeds library card number! Historical newspapers With Newsbank, you get access to over 300 national and regional newspapers from the UK and Ireland including the Yorkshire Post and Yorkshire Evening Post. Includes current and historic copies, searchable by keyword. British Library Newspapers lets you explore over two million pages of nineteenth century British newspapers, sourced from the British Library's extensive collection. Times Digital Archive - search over 200 years of The Times newspaper! Information Oxford English Dictionary - a guide to the meaning, history and usage of over 500,000 words and phrases across the English speaking world. Who's Who and Who Was Who - over 32,500 noteworthy and influential people from all walks of life. Parliamentary and Official Documents Online - a searchable archive of Parliament and Official documents, with easy to use, unlimited access to official publications. You can also access more information for free in person in any of our Leeds Libraries and Community Hubs, including Ancestry, BFI Replay, BFI Screen Online, business reference information, academic research articles and the Yorkshire Archaeological Journal.  New Seed LibrariesWe are pleased to share news of two new seed libraries that have sprung up at Moor Allerton and Garforth Libraries this month. It's the season for planting and seeds have been very popular. If you've taken some we'd love to see what you're growing! If you have seeds to spare, please consider contributing to one of our seed libraries. We are now hosting Incredible Edible's seed libraries at Holt Park, Rothwell, Crossgates, Garforth and Moor Allerton libraries and seeds can be donated at any of these locations. Moor Allerton are celebrating the arrival of their seed library with a free planting event with Incredible Edible Moortown and Incredible Alwoodley. There will be seeds to swap and plant on Friday 4 April from 3.30-5.00pm. |
 Time and Space: An Exhibition of Art and Poetry Unveiling Human Experiencefeaturing Leeds based artist Paul Digby and celebrated poet Ian McMillan. This innovative collaboration explores the profound intersections of art and poetry, inviting you to reflect on the essence of human experience. Traveling across libraries and at Scarborough’s Old Parcels Office (OPO), the exhibition will showcase evocative drawings and stirring verses, along with contributions from primary school children in an online gallery. You can see the work at The Compton Centre Community Hub and Library, LS9 7BG, from 1-29 April. Students from Shakespeare Primary School will meet renowned poet and broadcaster Ian McMillan for an amazing poetry workshop and then create artwork with artist Paul Digby. Join us on this transformative journey and discover how art and poetry can connect us all. Find more information here. |
 A customer requestDo you have any information about colleagues who worked at the Basinghall Telephone Exchange in Leeds from 1960? Do you remember Miss Catherine Gregory, Miss Vera Buttree, or Ms. Elizabeth Senior? It's thought they worked in the Education sector before taking up employment in the Telephone Exchange, and that they lived within Temple Avenue and Portage Avenue (LS15). Please contact us at localandfamilyhistory@leeds.gov.uk if you can help. |
 Sign up for Healthy Holidays Leeds this Easter! School-aged children and young people eligible for income-related free school meals can take part in amazing, free activities with a healthy meal from 7 April to 21 April. Activities vary and can include sports, outdoor activities, dance, arts and crafts, as well as visits to attractions like Temple Newsam and Lotherton Hall. Every child and young person will receive a tasty nutritious meal that meets their dietary requirements. There are over 90 Healthy Holidays clubs across Leeds. Find out more and register for Healthy Holidays Leeds now |
Find out moreDid 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 |
