Hello
Welcome to the final newsletter of 2022 from Leeds Libraries. This month we invite you to a enchanting family friendly festive show, welcome you to spend time at your local library and update you about exciting author events for the new year. Keep reading to find out more.
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.
Enjoy a storybook spectacular this Christmas
Take a spellbinding step into an enchanting storybook world with your family this Christmas.
From December 10 and throughout the next month, Leeds Central Libraries' atmospheric Room 700 will be the setting for Libellule Theatre’s magical production of The Storymaker’s Apprentice.
Aimed at children aged three to eight, and with performances that are accessible to all, the show tells the captivating tale of Tan, an apprentice at Barwick’s Bibliopole, makers of the finest books in town.
Audio-Described performances are on Sunday, December 11 at 11am and 2pm, BSL Interpreted performances are Sunday, December 18 at 11am and 2pm and a relaxed performance is on Thursday, December 29 at 1.30pm.
Supported by Leeds Libraries, Leeds Inspired and using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
The Storymaker’s Apprentice will be at Leeds Central Library from December 10-31. Tickets are £5 for children and £7 for adults and can be booked here.
 Discover FREE festive fun for all the family
T'was the newsletter before Christmas and among all the shelves, events were a-happening, featuring robots and elves...
For updates on family friendly activities and events sign up to Leeds Libraries Newsletters for Children and Families
 Stay warm at your local Library
Your local Community Hub and Library offers a warm welcome and are free to use for anyone struggling to heat their home.
We offer hot drinks, activities, and other services such as free Wi-Fi. Warm Spaces are heated, safe and friendly places where you can comfortably spend time reading, studying or chatting with others.
Find your local Warm Space here and local library opening hours here.
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 has a different theme; a creative activity to enjoy, a new skill to learn. At Pudsey Library this month, you can get festive and create some felt Christmas tree decorations. It's free and there's no need to book.
Find your Library Social here.
 Meet others and enjoy something new
The Drawing Room at Leeds Central Library offers a warm and welcoming space to meet others and to make and create. Here are just a selection of the activities coming up:
Why not treat yourself this Christmas to a ballet of Swan Lake or The Nutcracker, FREE with your Library Card. Stream Live and recorded performances with our medici.tv service.
Festive gift inspiration
Read the Business & IP Centre blog for festive gift inspiration from makers and creators from around the UK that have used their local library to start-up and grow.
In the blog you'll find some fantastic businesses that have started up in and around Leeds too!
Read more.
If you're looking for extra information around starting or growing your own business, you can call the team on 0113 378 6010. If you'd prefer you can also email bipcleeds@leeds.gov.uk or sign up to the BIPC newsletter.
Keeping well this winter
Have you had your flu vaccination?
Flu vaccinations are available each year through your GP Practice or local pharmacy to help protect adults and children at risk from flu and its complications.
Getting vaccinated against flu and COVID-19 will provide protection for you and those around you for both these serious illnesses. If you've had COVID-19, it's safe to have the flu vaccine. It will still be effective at helping to prevent flu.
Further information on eligibility can be found at: nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/who-should-have-flu-vaccine
Literary events
Look forward to 2023 with an exciting series of literary events.
The Art of the Short Story
Chapel Allerton Library, Thursday 2 February, 7.00 – 8.30 pm.
This event is a must for all aspiring writers and anyone interested in how to write short fiction. We’ve assembled an amazing panel of multi-award winning writers. Join Naomi Booth, Leone Ross and James Clarke as they discuss what makes a good short story and to share their tops tips on how to write short fiction. They’ll also be sharing some of their favourites, so come along and see what they have to recommend!
Queer Publishing Now
Horsforth Library, Saturday 11 February, 2.00 – 3.30 pm
Join us in the fabulous surroundings of Horsforth Library ballroom as we discuss queer publishing now, and the importance of publishers showcasing the huge variety of queer voices from all the brilliant writers working today.
Save the dates and book your tickets soon.
 In Conversation with Gwendoline Riley
Leeds Central Library, Thursday 16 March, 6:00pm
Join prize-winning author Gwendoline Riley as she discusses her highly-acclaimed most recent novel about a tense mother/daughter relationship with Sarah Tyson from Books Up North. My Phantoms is described as ‘a bold, heart-stopping portrayal of a failed familial bond, which brings humour, subtlety and new life to the difficult terrain of mothers and daughters’.
Book your ticket here.
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.
 #BooksOf2022
It’s that time when everyone starts thinking about their favourite books of the year. We’ve been posting some of ours on Twitter using the hashtag #BooksOf2022.
Books recommended by our Twitter followers include: England’s Green by Zaffar Kunial, Maud Martha by Gwendoline Brooks, The Entropy of Loss by Stewart Hoston, A Working Class State of Mind by Colin Burnett, Behind Bars by Lady Unchained, The Boy Behind the Wall by Dalton Harrison, Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Farm and The Whistleblower by Robert Peston.
Reserve books for free: leeds.gov.uk/libraries
Follow @LeedsLibraries, tag us in and share you favourite book using #BooksOf2022
 The ultimate guide to Christmas in Leeds
Christmas is around the corner and Leeds has everything you need to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. With some fabulous Christmas experiences on offer, marvel at spectacular lights, explore our historic houses, enjoy incredible entertainment, and indulge in food and drink.
Find out what’s happening in Leeds this Christmas by visiting:
bit.ly/3FqikfF #LeedsChristmas
C1946. Image shows a Christmas gathering, possibly a Carol Service, taking place on the steps of Morley Town Hall. Copyright: David Atkinson Archive
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Take yourself down memory lane this holiday season. Browse over 68k photographs from Leeds on leodis.net including this image from 1946 of a carol service. You may even spot yourself or a relative in a nativity!
Sign up to the Local and Family History Library newsletter to hear about Leodis curated galleries, events and heritage resources.
For opening and closing times for all of our core services in Leeds over the festive period, Friday 23 December 2022 to Tuesday 3 January 2023 visit:
leeds.gov.uk/christmas-opening-hours
If you would like to volunteer with Leeds Libraries you can find out more here.
Do you know someone who could benefit from support to get online? Find out how we can help: leeds.gov.uk/libraries/learn-in-the-library
Thank you for reading our newsletter, we are always happy to welcome you, get in touch or find your local library
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