Welcome to Leeds Libraries newsletter
Hello, this month we have a jam packed newsletter full of exhibitions and events for all. Keep reading to find out about the Out of Many Festival, The Summer Reading Challenge and how you can meet new people in the library by volunteering some of your time, getting creative, starting a readers group or joining one of our social groups.
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.
Out of Many
May 2022 to February 2023.
Celebrating 60 years of Jamaican independence.
This celebration of Jamaica's roots, culture, art and unique vibe recognises a global influence far bigger than that expected of a tiny island nation. From music and theatre to literature and art, the ambition and pride driving the Festival belies that expected of Jamaica Society Leeds, a tiny charity set up 45 years ago. Read on to find out about the exhibition and events taking place at Leeds Libraries.
Out of Many, One People and... One Love.
Rebellion to Romance
Thursday 28 July 2022 - Saturday 29 Oct 2022
Room 700 in Leeds Central Library will be home to the Rebellion to Romance Exhibition. A natural progression from the 2019 Eulogy Project on first-generation Jamaicans of Leeds, Rebellion to Romance will explore the lives of the city’s second-generation West Indians coming of age in the 1970s and 80s. Their keepsakes of the era will tell a powerful story of young Black people hugely influenced by Jamaican culture, music and style, immersed in their parents’ Caribbean roots yet shaping an identity of their own.
Gathered keepsakes and photos of the day curated by Out of Many Festival Director, Susan Pitter, will sit alongside recreated contemporary portraits by famed artist and ‘Godfather of Black British photography’ Vanley Burke. His portraits will capture a generation that can firmly say: “We are Black, we are British, we are West Indian and we are Leeds.”
Visit during Leeds Central Library opening hours which can be found here: leeds.gov.uk/libraries
Jamboree!
Saturday 20 Aug 2022 from 10am.
Join writer and actor, Ansell Broderick for a fun afternoon of traditional Jamaican tales, folk songs and dance. From Anancy and Miss Lou stories told by Jamaican elders, to Maroon songs, ring games, Kumina and drumming all steeped in African ancestry. Suitable for: Ages 5-11 accompanied by adults.
 Calabash Presents
Saturday 8 October 2022 from 11am
Jamaica’s much-loved Calabash International Literary Festival brings a hint of Treasure Beach vibe to Leeds for an unmissable, day-long literary take-over of the library curated by Calabash co-founders Kwame Dawes and Justine Henzell.
Internationally acclaimed Emmy Award winning writer Kwame Dawes will take to the stage in conversation with Yvonne Brewster OBE and to introduce a tribute to the late Godmother of Dub Poetry, Jean ‘Binta’ Breeze, as well as a stellar line up of writers of Jamaican heritage
For King, Country & Home
Friday 4 November 2022 - Sat 26 November 2022
We will host an exhibition at our Local and Family History on the lives of Jamaican WW2 veterans of Leeds. Held to coincide with Remembrance Sunday, the exhibition will include photography, keepsakes and memories gathered over the years by the families of those who, pre-Windrush, formed the beginnings of the city’s Black community.
For more information on all the Out of Many exhibitions and events visit: leedsinspired.co.uk/collection/out-many
 It's Time to Read
Reduce your stress and anxiety by taking time out to read and relax on your lunch break. We have a peaceful space on the third floor of Leeds Central Library. Bring your own book or borrow one from our inspiring displays! Every Monday 12- 2pm.
Library Socials
Library Socials are monthly events for people to meet one another and enjoy a variety of activities in their local library. Each one will have a different theme; a creative activity to enjoy, a new skill to learn. It's free, refreshments are provided and there's no need to book. Find your local social by visiting leedsinspired.co.uk/collection/whats-leeds-libraries
You can also enjoy our social tables, you'll find quick, fun table top activities like Scrabble, jigsaws and quizzes. Drop in any time during library opening hours and have a go, by yourself or with others. Leedsinspired.co.uk/events/social-tables
Meet others as you enjoy a new hobby or learn a new skill within our Drawing Room at Leeds Central Library. You'll find Creative Embroidery, Life Drawing and Watercolour classes this month. Find out more.
Heritage corner
Join our Local and Family History Library for some very unusual events. Sign up to their newsletter to keep up to date with events and much more.
Leeds Is Weird: A Local History Cabaret
Tuesday 19 Jul 2022 from 7pm
Join award-winning local comedian Joe Kent-Walters for an absurdist cabaret inspired by weird and wonderful local history.
Joe will be joined by an array of other local talent for this unique one-off variety night which takes a deep dive into some of the most bizarre and hilarious things to have happened in city. Horrible Histories meets Vic and Bob in this exciting evening of puppets, costumes and clowns.
Book now: leedsinspired.co.uk/events/leeds-weird-local-history-cabaret-0
Eating People is Wrong? Heroes and Cannibals on the First Crusade
Wednesday 6 Jul 2022 from 6pm
The Chanson d'Antioche is an early thirteenth-century Old French epic poem that recounts the events of the First Crusade (1096-99). The crusaders are heroes, but they also eat their enemies to survive.
This talk by Hannah Mackenzie explores how and why the poem presents these gruesome acts of cannibalism as strategic and comic spectacles.
Free but booking required: leedsinspired.co.uk/events/eating-people-wrong-heroes-and-cannibals-first-crusade
 Join a Readers Group
Readers Groups are a great way to meet new people and to talk about books of every description. Leeds Libraries can provide books free of charge for Readers Groups as part of our Readers Group offer.
We have over 100 collections including writers such as PD James, Kate Atkinson, and Margaret Atwood, and covering a whole range of different styles and genres, so there really is something for everyone! A full list of our Readers Group collections can be found on our online catalogue here.
Anyone can set up a Readers Group, and it’s FREE. If you are interested in setting up a Readers Group, please call in to any of our Leeds Community Hubs and Libraries and speak to a member of staff about setting one up. Alternatively, you can call Leeds Libraries on 0113 3785005 and do it over the phone. It’s a simple process and doesn’t take much time – all we need is your name and address, a contact telephone number and email address, and you’re good to go. Don’t forget to come up with a catchy name for your group too!
To keep up to date with all the news and special offers for our Readers Groups, please sign up for our exclusive Readers Group newsletter
 The Summer Reading Challenge
STEAM over to your local library for this year’s Gadgeteers Sign Up Saturday and start your Summer Reading Challenge. Borrow some brilliant books, collect your Summer Reading Challenge starter pack, and begin your science-inspired adventure. Get your scientist’s microscope ready as all the brilliant characters from this year’s challenge will be hiding amongst the bookshelves in your local library, can you find them all? We’ll also have lots of fun activities for you to enjoy:
- There will be a variety of self-serve activities for families to complete in each library, including a character hunt.
- Three of our libraries will be screening a science-themed movie at our monthly Saturday Family Film Club.
- Don't miss our splendid Story Buses touring the city with some marvellous storytellers on board.
Sign-up Saturday with author Anna James
Saturday 9 July 2022, from 12noon.
To mark the start of the Summer Reading Challenge, author of the Pages & Co. series, Anna James, will be discussing her latest book, Hetty and the Battle of the Books. Anna will give a talk on how the book was written and share her experiences as a writer and as a children's librarian. Anna will answer questions from the audience and there will be chance to buy a signed copy of the book, as well as sign-up to the Summer Reading Challenge.
leedsinspired.co.uk/events/sign-saturday-author-anna-james
If you want to have a go at coding you can join one of our Code Clubs. Sign up to Leeds Libraries Newsletters for Children and Families to learn more, including Story & Rhyme and Bounce & Rhyme for under 5s.
 Start-Up Leeds: Two-Day Workshop
Friday 15 - Saturday 16 July 2022, from 9.30am
Cover the basics of starting and growing your own business in this interactive workshop at Leeds Central Library.
We'll be joined by a range of specialists who will guide you through the basics of building and growing your ideas and help give you the knowledge to take your business to the next step. Topics will include planning, pricing, tax and bookkeeping, marketing and much more! Reserve your spot.
Join up to the Business & IP Centre newsletter if you want to start or have your own business and visit your nearest BIPC Local to find out about the free support available.
Volunteer with Leeds Libraries
Interested in volunteering some of your time with Leeds Libraries? Through our Reading Friends programme, you can help bring people together to chat and share stories through the power of reading.
Volunteering can help you:
👏 Make a positive difference in your community
Find out about all of our other volunteering opportunities including Heritage, Drawing Room, Community and Digital volunteers, follow this link: leeds.gov.uk/jobs-skills-and-training/volunteering/volunteering-in-libraries or get in touch to find out more: customeraccessvolunteers@leeds.gov.uk
Leeds Libraries Top Picks
This month we are:
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Reading anything by author Joseph Coelho, the brand new Waterstones Children's Laureate 2022-2024. Find and reserve here. Its free to reserve and pick up a book from any Leeds Library, you can also get in touch if you can't find what you are looking for and we will try and add it to our catalogue! Remember no late fees!
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Listening to eAudiobooks using the Borrowbox app, we are enjoying the summer of sport collection including biographies featuring Tyson Fury, Gareth Southgate and Mark Rashford. Enjoy a browse here.
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Watching Ghostbusters with Make a Wish! Sometimes a wish unites a community and reminds you that anything is possible. George's wish 'to be a Ghostbuster' did that. George saved the city of Leeds by fighting ghosts at Leeds Central Library. Watch the full film here.
Tag us in your recommendations on social media @LeedsLibraries #LeedsReads
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