Welcome
Welcome to our latest edition! This month features the new Leeds Storytelling Festival, more about our newly refurbished Music Library, talks, a new Code Club, Rothwell Seed Library, reading info and details of a special International Women's Day event, so there's plenty to explore.
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.
We're really excited to share the details of Leeds Storytelling Festival, which will take place from 14 February to 8 March. The Festival will illuminate our city with award-winning family theatre and acclaimed author readings as well as costume-making workshops and a city-wide trail.
Check out the full programme.
The festival launches with Kate Pankhurst, author of the Fantastically Great Women series, who has created an exclusive logo for the festival and whose illustrations feature in a trail of historical heroines across Leeds for families to seek and mark off on an activity sheet.
There are costume-making workshops with the British Library, theatre from Coalesce and mini-movie screenings from Leeds Young Film.
The following fortnight will be filled with poetry for young people and parents/carers programmed by LIVEwire, children's author events featuring Hiba Noor Khan and Ashley Thorpe, and more theatre performances from Blanket Fort Club and Wrongsemble, who close the festival with a premiere of Three Little Vikings, inspired by Bethan Woolvin's picture book. An official Storytelling Festival activity sheet will also be available in all libraries until the end of March.
 A Voice of Their Own; Women in Contemporary Literature
Wednesday 5 March, 6.30-8.00pm, Central Library
To celebrate International Women's Day 2025, we've assembled a panel featuring three of the very best writers around: Naomi Booth, Lara Pawson and Rose Ruane, for a discussion about women in contemporary literature.
This is an amazing opportunity to hear the voices behind some of the best books of the last few years talk about themselves and their work, including discussion about portrayals of women in contemporary literature and sharing their experiences of being women writers in the modern publishing industry.
The event will also feature an audience Q&A and a book-signing afterwards with our friends from Hold Fast Books so it really is one not to be missed.
Book here for this Pay As You Feel event, with a suggested donation of £5.00 per ticket.
 Last month we told you about our exciting newly refurbished Music Library, on the first floor at Leeds Central Library. Did you know it's the largest in the north of England?
It features state-of-the-art facilities, with sound booths, pianos and other instruments as well as podcasting equipment, all free for public use. Our vast collection of sheet music is now on display, and there’s a performance space to host local artists, bands, and orchestras. We're also working on a regular programme of events and workshops for all ages, from song writing to open mic events and opportunities to drop in and play instruments. Here are a few to highlight...
Medici Mondays
Every Monday during term time we share fantastic performances available through Medici.tv from 1.00-2.00pm. Just pop in and see what's playing!
Medici.tv is the world's largest collection of classical music, opera and dance videos. It gives free online access to 3,500 musical works filmed from the 1940s onwards plus over 2,500 videos of concerts, operas, ballets, documentaries and master classes. Medici is also available at home with your library card, sign up here.
Open Mic with Launchpad
Wednesday 19 February, 5.00-7.30pm, Music Library.
Looking for a laid-back space to share your creativity? 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.
Book your free ticket here.
Seven by Seven
Saturday 29 March, 11.00-3.30pm, Music Library
A friendly Leeds based open decks vinyl playing session. Bring along and play 7 of your 7” 45rpm vinyl singles! No DJ skills required - add your name on arrival, and we play in that order. If you just want to come along to listen, you will be warmly welcomed! The ethos is no pressure, no competition and no egos.
Book your free ticket here.
Uke Lending
Why not borrow a ukulele free of charge and explore something new? It's fun, easy to learn and we have a range of resources to inspire you.
Just ask a member of staff for more info, or email musiclibrary@leeds.gov.uk
BBC Radio 2: Listeners, DJs and Music
A Cultural Conversations event in partnership with Leeds Beckett University
Thursday 27 February, 1.00-2.00pm, Central Library
This talk examines listeners' engagement with BBC Radio 2, the UK's most popular radio station, and its DJs and programmes. It explores Radio 2's shift to post-1950s rock and roll music in the late 1990s, analysing its shows, events, and listener passions. Funded by the British Academy, this research highlights Radio 2's role as a model of successful public service broadcasting and its broader significance for the future of public media.
Free talk, please book here.
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Purr-fect Pals: The Rise of Pet Cats in Modern Britain
Tuesday 25 February, 5.30-7.00pm, Central Library
In 2024 there were approximately 12.5 million pet cats in the UK. Cats vie with dogs for the role of Britain’s top pet, and are valued by their owners for their affection and independence. Around two hundred years ago, cats had a different profile: kept for their mousing abilities but often viewed with suspicion.
This talk will explore the ascent of cats in British pet culture. How and why did cats become popular? What are the cat qualities that have been particularly prized? And why have historians recently begun to pay more attention to animals?
Free talk, please book here.
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New Teen Code Club!
Saturday 22 February, 1.30-2.30pm, Central Library
We are launching a Teen Code Club in February for young people aged 13-16! If you are interested in coding, game and app development, robotics, AI, machine learning, 3D printing and more, then join us at our new club in Studio 12 at Leeds Central Library!
You'll have free access to a wide range of technologies to explore, tinker with, and develop your skills in a friendly environment.
Book a free ticket here
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One of our Unlimited Use titles on BorrowBox this month is Richard Osman’s huge bestseller, The Last Devil to Die. The best thing is, there are no waiting times on these titles!
If you fancy trying something similar to this series, then here’s our list of Cosy Crime for you to reserve to your nearest library.
As we celebrate LGBT+ History Month in February, we've created an LGBT+ book list. And here's our Rainbow Age collection of graphic novels, which has been curated and donated by Thought Bubble Yorkshire Comic Arts Festival.
Happy reading!
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Did you know you can access free newspaper online with your library membership? It's available through Libby - just sign in with your library card number, scroll down to PressReader and click "Get"
There's a wide range of newspapers to check out, you can read them for 30 days at a time and renew for free through Libby.
Rothwell Seed Library
We've been working with Incredible Edible Network to bring seed libraries and growing spaces to our community hubs and libraries.
Anyone can be part of this Network, who connect communities through food, turning spare community spaces into vegetable patches and starting conversations around improving lives and communities.
The seed library launched in March 2024 at Rothwell with an Incredible Edible story and Plant session. Families came to the library on a Saturday morning to listen to stories and plant something to nurture and grow.
The seed library has become an important part of the community offer at Rothwell. People come to get inspiration and free seeds to start them on a growing adventure. Gardeners often have too many of one seed and not enough of another. Customers have brought in self-harvested seeds and packets they no longer require.
Parents at storytime can pick up a packet of broad bean seeds or kale seeds. While the children at Kids Club make friends, their grown-ups browse the seed selection, to see if there is something new. Experienced gardeners give advice to complete novices as they drop off their surplus seeds. The gardening books are close-by, providing answers and inspiration for all manner of gardening and growing projects.
"If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need" Cicero
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Recently we were delighted to be sent an article written by David Robson, who has re-activated his library membership and was surprised to find how much is on offer.
You can read his article here.
Free School Meals
In January 2024, 8,435 pupils entitled to a free school meal missed out on a free hot, nutritious lunch.
We ensure meals provide the right balance of nutrients so children are able to grow, learn and play.
Contact your school's office to find out if you’re entitled to free school meals or you can apply online here.
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NHS Healthy Start
The scheme helps young families on low incomes to buy healthy food and milk. If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have children under four and receive certain benefits, you could be eligible for NHS Healthy Start.
Once on the scheme, you’ll receive a prepaid card, which you can use to buy fruit, vegetables, pulses, milk and infant formula. The card can be used in most places that sell healthy food and accept Mastercard® payments. You can also get free Healthy Start vitamins. Find out if you’re eligible and apply online now at www.healthystart.nhs.uk
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St Gemma’s New Year Raffle
Enter today and be in with a chance of winning £3,000!
Each entry costs £2 and gives you a chance to win one of three big cash prizes:
1st prize £3,000, 2nd prize £500, 3rd prize £250
Every ticket purchased is a life-changer, and helps provide care for people in Leeds who have a terminal illness.
Buy your raffle tickets here where you'll also find full details including T&Cs. The closing date for entries is 28th February. The draw will take place on 10th March and winners will be notified within 7 days.
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Find out more
Did 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
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