Page turns to second chapter of Leeds libraries’ #whatsyourstory campaign

The second chapter of an exciting campaign raising awareness of the diverse and varied services available at Leeds City Council libraries has been launched today.

Following on from its successful debut in 2015, #whatsyourstory will once again be using the experiences of those who have discovered the exciting range of activities, events and opportunities on offer at their local library to help recruit and inspire a new generation of people of all ages and interests to find out what is on offer, including free access to online eMagazines and books. Two people who have already used their local library to discover and enjoy a new adventure in very different ways are Jean Murgatroyd and Bill Hyland.

Grandmother Jean was eager to expand her social circle through a love of knitting, and her wish was granted when she joined a ‘knit-and-natter’ group at her local library. Over a cup of a tea and a biscuit, Jean is able to spend an afternoon knitting with her friends, in what she readily admits is the highlight of her week. A trip to the Leeds Central Library’s Business & IP Centre also proved to be the beginning of a new journey for 72-year-old Bill. In 1976, Bill invented his four in one deburring tool for plastic pipes, but was left frustrated as he did not have the time or resources to develop his idea. After a visit to the Business & IP Centre, the team were able to provide a wealth of expert advice and support to help Bill get his invention off the ground, and his dream was realised when his product ‘Burrfect’ entered the market.

If you have a story of how your local library has inspired a change of direction, or provided the tools to learn a new skill or activity, get in touch by via Twitter @leedslibraries using the hashtag #whatsyourstory, writing on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/leedslibraries

To find out more about #whatsyourstory, and to read other how other library users like Jean and Bill have used the services on offer, please see: www.leeds.gov.uk/whatsyourstory

Councillor Debra Coupar, Leeds City Council’s executive member for communities said:

“We had an amazing reaction to our first #whatsyourstory campaign last year, which really showcased the wide range of services available at your local libraries. It is great news therefore to welcome back the campaign in 2016, which we hope will attract even more people to not just discover what opportunities and facilities are on offer at our libraries around the city but also online.

“Helping to publicise our next #whatsyourstory campaign are Jean and Bill, whose own personal stories really do highlight how varied our programme is at your local library, and why it is not always what people might expect. If you have used one of our libraries to learn a new hobby or skill or even as in Bill’s case used our services to develop your own product, please tell us all about it using the hashtag #whatsyourstory.”

For media enquiries, please contact;

Colin Dickinson, Leeds City Council press office (0113) 39 51578

Email: colin.dickinson@leeds.gov.uk