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Hello

Welcome to the October edition of Leeds Libraries newsletter. This week is Libraries Week celebrating the nation’s much-loved libraries and their role in inspiring life-long learning. You can read about one of our young reading champions and their passion for libraries here. We hope you enjoy this newsletter which explores the surprising things that libraries in Leeds are doing to support their communities.

If you're not already, please make sure you're following us on social media to get the latest news and see what we're up to.

Discover Digital

Get Online Week takes place from 17 - 23 October encouraging you to try one thing, this could be anything from sending your first email, reading an eBook, or using the NHS app. ​Getting online can help you to explore hobbies, manage your health, find a job, save money and stay in touch with family and friends.

Leeds Libraries can support you to build confidence, skills and access the internet. At every library you will find free access to PCs, printing and Wi-Fi. ​​You can also get support from a friendly librarian at one of our weekly drop in sessions or enrol on one of our free #Digital121 support sessions. From first steps to your next, we can help you discover digital. ​

Celebrating Black History

Black History Month celebrates the incredible richness of Black and Brown heritage in the UK. The national organisation for Black History Month have declared this year's theme to be Time for Change: Action Not Words. Keep reading for events celebrating Black History Month throughout October 2022 in Leeds Libraries. 

Pass it On

Leeds Central Library, Wednesday 5 October, 7pm

Mother and daughter poets and literary activists Khadijah Ibrahiim and Rheima Robinson showcase young participants’ creative writing responses to conversations with first- and second-generation West Indians.

Calabash Presents

Leeds Central Library, Saturday 8 October, from 11am

As part of the Out of Many Festival, discover Jamaica’s much-loved Calabash International Literary Festival as it 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. 

In partnership with Leeds Jamaican Society. 

To book your tickets and to find out about the Rebellion to Romance exhibition in Room 700, Leeds Central Library visit: leedsinspired.co.uk/collection/out-many

Remembering David Oluwale

Leeds Central Library, Wednesday 26 October, 6.30pm

The David Oluwale Memorial Association (DOMA) has been reminding Leeds of his story for the past 14 years and explaining why the issues he provokes us to consider are so relevant today. Join this illustrated talk by DOMA Secretary Dr Max Farrar the charity's ideas and educational work will be explained.

Book your ticket

Tracing Your Caribbean Ancestry for Beginners

The Reginal Centre, Thursday 13 October, 1.30pm

Join our Librarian team to learn the basics of British, Caribbean and African family history research. This is an introductory session for complete beginners and will cover online resources, such as Ancestry.co.uk, and how you can get the most from them. 

Book your ticket.

If you are interested in local history or researching your family tree, sign up to the Local Studies newsletter

Learning from our past, reimagining our future

The World Reimagined sees trails of over 100 huge globes in seven cities across the UK from 13 August – 31 October 2022.

Take in 10 huge globes which explore the diversity of Leeds and reimagine our past, present and future.

Come and see them at Leeds Train Station until Sunday 9 October:

leedsinspired.co.uk/collection/world-reimagined 

Light Night at the Library

Leeds Central Library, Friday 14 October, from 6pm

As the light fades the library comes alive, what will you discover emerging from the shelves when you visit? Families can relax in our sensory room, guide robotic bugs using light and interact with moving animal animations from our specialist collections. 

Leeds Central Library will be a shining light offering a warm sanctuary as you enjoy Light Night Leeds.

Find out more: leedsinspired.co.uk/events/light-night-library

SoundMind

This November we present SoundMind, a programme of activities to promote positive health and wellbeing through music. Events include author talks, live music performances, instrument taster sessions and singing workshops. Keep reading for highlights and how to book. 

Sound Rhythms

Leeds Central Library, Saturday 5 November, various times

Join us for the festival launch, in proud partnership with Artforms, we invite you to explore the world of rhythm, drumming improvisation and singing. The session will entail a mixture of West African and contemporary rhythms and traditional songs, using Djembe drums and percussion instruments. Everyone of any ability is welcome to this inclusive event. Bring your family and join the fun!

Being in the Moment

Leeds Central Library, Saturday 12 November, 6pm

Acclaimed rapper Testament, world champion DJ Mike-L and journalist Shine Steel present an evening inspired by the work of Leeds writer and musician Francis Steel.  

Poets, singers and musicians use Francis’s work to explore themes of mental health and mindfulness through live spoken word, song, scratch deejaying, beatboxing, art and discussion.

Sound It Out

Leeds Central Library, Thursday 17 November, 5.30pm

In conversation with men's suicide prevention charity Andy’s Man Club, hear Wilko discuss how he has used music as a tool to support mental health recovery. Wilko will also treat you to special live music performances celebrating the positive impact music can have in our lives.

Find out more and book your ticket. 

Literary Events

We are very excited to bring you two more festivals this month. Events will take place across Leeds celebrating the written word.

Ink Slingers, Farsley Literature Festival

October - November 2022

Ink Slingers is the first Farsley Literature Festival. Brought to you by Truman Books and Trouble at Mill Events, supported by Sunny Bank Mills and Leeds Libraries. We have two exciting panel screenings from the Living Knowledge Network at Farsley Library, with the opportunity to play with robots and add your voice to the open mic night!

Book your tickets

Celebrating the Power of Together

Various locations and times

The Rugby League World Cup Cultural Festival is an ambitious festival bringing together audiences for sport and art around the tournament. Leeds Libraries has a variety of exciting events. 

Tackle Life with the Lionesses for a motivational panel event and exhibition showcasing the female pioneers of international rugby league. Try writing at our writing workshop for teens or take advantage and join poet Matt Abbott for fun-filled family creative writing workshops, which explore the poetic potential of Rugby League.

Find out more: leedsinspired.co.uk/collection/whats-leeds-libraries

Sign up to the Readers' Group newsletter if you would like book recommendations, support with your Readers Group, VIP offers and to find out about future author events. 

Libellule Theatre presents...

The Storymaker's Apprentice

Introducing a heart-warming tale full of imagination, beauty, and wonder. Enjoy an affordable festive show for all the family at Leeds Central Library this December. 

Do you have a magical story to tell? Tan has. She wants to tell one about a girl just like her and prove that children can tell stories, maybe even better than grown-ups. Can you help her?

Enter the world of Barwick’s Bibliopole, makers of the finest books in town from the finest of ingredients from all around the world. Storymaker Ingleby Barwick and his apprentice, Tan, will conjure a tale exactly to your tastes (with a little help from the bookworms). 

But what of Tan’s story? And what are those ingredients gathering dust at the back of the cupboards? 

A show for the entire family, with relaxed, audio described and BSL interpreted performances.

Book your sprinkle of magic here. 

Supported by Leeds Libraries, Leeds Inspired and using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

For updates on activities for October half term sign up to Leeds Libraries Newsletters for Children and Families  and discover Story & Rhyme and Bounce & Rhyme for under 5s. 

Tell us what you think...

Leeds Central Library has received investment from the Libraries Improvement Fund, a programme of work funded by Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) via Arts Council England. Funding is to be used to make improvements to our library so we can support our community into the future.

To help Arts Council England learn how the investment is supporting you, we would be very grateful if you could complete a short survey by clicking the link: surveymonkey.co.uk/r/LIF_User

The survey will close on Friday 14 October. Thank you very much for your time.

It will take less than 10 minutes to answer the questions. Your responses will be used in accordance with GDPR (data protection) guidelines. You will remain anonymous and individual answers will not be shared with DCMS or ACE. Your response will not be used for any purpose other than this evaluation. Survey responses will be deleted once the evaluation is complete in 2025.

Helping with the cost of living

With many households in Leeds facing higher energy bills this month, the council has launched a new webpage to help people through the cost of living crisis. It brings together in one place information about local services which will be able to support those trying to manage increased costs, including money advice, heating your home, housing issues and accessing emergency food. The webpage can be found at www.leeds.gov.uk/costofliving

As well as the new webpage, you can also find confidential advice at your local Community Hub if you prefer to speak to someone in person or over the phone. Staff in the Hubs will be able to suggest where you can go to for the support which best suits your circumstances and financial situation. There are Hubs across the whole of Leeds, and all their services are free to use. There is also additional information on the council’s Money Information Centre website, at www.leeds.gov.uk/leedsmic  

If you would like to volunteer with Leeds Libraries you can find out more here.

Thank you for reading our newsletter, we are always happy to welcome you, get in touch or find your local library