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Happy Yorkshire Day!

'Ow do. As we are a Yorkshire library service, we like to bring you value for money!  Find out about Summer Reading Challenge events for families, celebrate Jamaican heritage and enjoy books, all for FREE! You don't need to dig deep into your pockets this month.

Below is a lovely image of our Yorkshire Room, this room houses thousands of books, maps & newspaper cuttings. With resources packed onto the shelves we have everything you need to investigate the history of Yorkshire. 

Keep reading to find reight good events and books! 

Out of Many, One People

May 2022 to February 2023.

On April 3rd 1962 Jamaica declared Out of Many, One People as the nation’s motto, just four months before independence from Britain was ushered in on August 6th. Sixty years on it is more relevant for the whole world today than ever, one which has inspired the Out of Many Festival.

Rebellion to Romance

Thursday 28 July- Sat 29 October 2022

Visit the Rebellion to Romance exhibition in Room 700, Leeds Central Library to enjoy a celebration of Jamaica’s roots, culture, art and unique vibes.

Curated by The Jamaican Society and Leeds Libraries you will find photos and keepsakes alongside books from our collections telling a powerful story of young Black people hugely influenced by Jamaican culture, music and style, immersed in their parents’ Caribbean roots while shaping an identity of their own.

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 more information on Out of Many and the exciting events happening alongside the exhibition visit: leedsinspired.co.uk/collection/out-many

Read all summer long

The free Summer Reading Challenge is calling on youngsters to find out more about the world around them by reading six or more from a collection of science-themed story books and factual books, over the summer break.

Children can sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge for free at any local library in Leeds or online at summerreadingchallenge.org.uk.

All libraries in Leeds have a children’s section which offers a wide range of science-themed fiction, picture books and factual books for children of all ages and abilities.

By taking part in the challenge, children will be guided by the Gadgeteers: six science-mad characters who will help young readers to discover more about the technology and innovation behind the world around them. Every child that completes the challenge will be awarded a certificate and a gold medal!

Being a member of the library can open up a whole exciting world of books for children.

Children don’t have to be library members already but the Summer Reading Challenge is a fantastic opportunity for parents to register their families for all the benefits of free library membership. All children who join will receive a new members’ pack including stickers and a new-look library card with a colourful design by illustrator Nick Sharratt. Watch our short film and discover a world of fun!   

As well as borrowing books to read, we also have a full programme of storytelling events:

Steampunk Stories with Hannah Durkan

Design and draw ingenious inventions and curious contraptions with local author, Hannah Durkan, inspired by her book Zeina Starborn and the Sky Whale, the first in a new adventure, fantasy series for children aged 9-12. This event takes place at various libraries on different dates. Find out more.

The Not So Grimm Twins

Join Wrongsemble as they tour Leeds with The Not So Grimm Twins. Meet world-famous twins Jake and Will Grimm, as they tumble from their magical wagon brimful of stories collected from every inch of the world - from Rapunzel to Red Riding Hood. 

From Family Film Club, Star in a Jar to Lego Cosmic Canyon, there is something for all interests!

Find all of this and more: leedsinspired.co.uk/collection/whats-leeds-libraries

Sign up to Leeds Libraries Newsletters for Children and Families to learn more, including Story & Rhyme and Bounce & Rhyme for under 5s. 

Leeds Pride

Celebrate Pride with iconic and ground-breaking books from LGBT+ authors. From inspirational memoirs to irresistible romances, the stories honour the journeys of LGBT+ individuals and champion love, acceptance and equality for all.

Enjoy the special Leeds Pride collection on the BorrowBox app: Free eBooks 

Spot us at Leeds Pride as we march alongside the British Library. Say hi and tell us about your favourite book!

Check in with a Mate and Feel Proud

🌈 Anyone can feel low, alone and even suicidal. Check-in with a mate and feel proud. For links to local and national support services, visit suicidepreventionwestyorkshire.co.uk/support

It's Time to Read

Refresh yourself by reading and relaxing on your lunch break in our 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. 

Women in Translation Month

August is Women in Translation Month. This initiative runs annually and is growing bigger and bigger every year. Women In Translation Month celebrates translated literature and diverse stories by women writers from all over the world.

Some of our personal favourites include Clarice Lispector, Mariana Enriquez, Amelie Nothomb and Elfriede Jelinek, but that’s only the tip of the iceberg.  If you need some ideas, you can read more on The Reading Agency website, where you can also find a list of suggested titles to get you started.

We’d love it if you could share some of your favourites with us throughout the month. Please tweet @LeedsLibraries using the hashtag #WITMonth and let us know which books by brilliant women writers you’d like to celebrate.

The Big Jubilee Read

As part of The Big Jubilee Read celebrations this summer Leeds Libraries held tea parties, bunting workshops and film clubs in our libraries, watch this short film and see if you can spot yourself enjoying the festivities.

You can watch Twixt t'Covers, a bookclub-style panel event, discussing the Big Jubilee Booklist that took place at Harrogate Library here

Image credit to: Helen Langdale Photograpy helenlangdale.photography

Free Business Support

A Leeds entrepreneur is urging others to pop down to the local library to get free support on how to start or grow a business.

Elena Rubiu set up her ceramics business after attending the Start-Up Leeds programme based at Horsforth Library last year. 

Start-Up Leeds features a series of workshops, one-to-one business champion support and access to business information and databases. It is run through the Leeds Libraries Service and delivered in partnership with AD:VENTURE, Leeds City Council and the Business & IP Centre (BIPC) Leeds.

“In Italy there is nothing like this. It’s very accessible and covers a lot of different topics and gives you good basic knowledge. I would not be where I am if I had not done that course. It gave me courage and confidence. Start-Up Leeds is a great resource; I’d recommend it to anybody,” said Elena. Find out more.

Sign up to the Business & IP Centre newsletter  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.

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:

• Scrolling through Niche Academy: digital support from how to use Ancestry.com to help with the driving theory test! 
• Reading Gardeners World magazine using the Libby App- for FREE! 
• Listening to Dave Grohl, The Storyteller available as eAudiobook using the Borrowbox app. 
• Watching the world's leading classical music channel, medici.tv. Medici offers free access to the best of classical music using your library card number. 

Tag us in your recommendations on social media @LeedsLibraries #LeedsReads

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.