Popular Leeds Library Festival set to open this weekend

The second annual Leeds Library Festival is once again set to “stamp out the shhh” across the city from this weekend.

Boasting over 80 events in total, visitors will be able to enjoy a range of diverse and fun activities and events at a number of council libraries as part of a special programme set to be held from Saturday 13 to Sunday 21 February.

On offer will include author events, workshops, talks, performances, special story times, crafting and games including Minecraft, which will offer something to every one of all ages and interests. For the first time, the festival will also include events at the historical independent subscription library, The Leeds Library and the Treasures of the Brotherton Gallery at the University of Leeds which are sure to be fascinating.

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

“The reception that we received from so many people to the first Leeds Library Festival was absolutely fantastic, and we are really looking to forward to this year’s event beginning this weekend, which judging by the programme, promises to be even better.

“Many of our council libraries across the city will again be participating and it is brilliant news that this year also set to feature will be The Leeds Library and Brotherton Gallery.”

To find out more regarding just some of the highlights in the 2016 Leeds Library Festival, please see the Notes to Editors section. For a full programme of events, please see: www.leeds.gov.uk/libraryfest

Notes to editors:

Events and activities set to include in the Leeds Library Festival include:

A creative writing workshop which will be held from 1.30pm-3.30pm at Moor Allerton Library with young adult author, Martyn Bedford. Held on the opening day of the festival (Saturday 13 Feb) tickets are priced at £2. To book your place, please see www.ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents

On Monday 15 February a brand new Multisensory Social for under -5s will be held in Leeds Central Library’s new multi-space, Room 700, from 10-30am-11.30am. Parents and babies can experience light shows and projections, sound effects, evocative smells and objects to explore. The session will conclude with stories and popular rhymes. Tickets are £2 and include 10% discount voucher at the beautiful Tiled Hall café. To book, please visit www.ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents.

Steampunk enthusiasts can also enjoy a ‘Steampunk Crafts’ workshop for young people at Horsforth Library on Monday 15 February from 1.30-3.30pm. Tickets are £2 and are bookable via www.ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents. Later the same day at Bramley Library there is also a free Steampunk Comics Club from 5.30-6.30pm.

If you’d like to see some of Leeds Libraries fascinating archive items, go to ‘Collections Up Close’ at Wetherby Library from 10.30am on Tuesday 16 February. Book your free place by phoning 01937 583144.

Do you have fond memories of going to dance halls on a Saturday night? Come along to Rothwell Library’s ‘Dancing through the Decades’ event, on Tuesday February 16 at 1-3pm. Book your free place by phoning 0113 2243288.

The wonder of Minecraft is continuing to capture the imagination of young people, and Leeds Libraries will be hosting a very special event perfect for all Minecraft fanatics. Why not join our party at Leeds Central Library as we celebrate the re-launch of Minecraft Café from 2pm-4pm on Tuesday, February 16. To book your free place, please phone: Enquiry Express on 0113 247 6016.

A family event sure to prove a big hit is ‘Revolting Victorians’ which is set to takes place on Wednesday 17 February at 1-4pm in Leeds Central Library. Join the family trail, go back in time to a Victorian school room, listen to vile and ghostly tales and discover a menagerie of creepy creatures lurking in a hidden room. Tickets are £4 or £3 if you have a library card. To book, visit www.ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents.

If you’re still in a spin from watching the new Star Wars film, fans can also drop in to Farsley Library for a fun packed ‘Wookie Wednesday’ afternoon of paper crafting, costume making and Jedi training, from 3.45pm.

Calling all Super Sleuths! Mariella Mystery fun with popular children’s author Kate Pankhurst will take place on Thursday 18 February at Morley Library from 2-3pm. Prepare for an afternoon of mystery, drawing, doodling, writing, weirdness and fun. Tickets for this are “pay as you feel”. To book please visit www.ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents

We’ve dusted off our most unique and underrated items and sent them down to the pub to charm some open-minded strangers. Join us to’ Speed Date our Library Treasures’ for 2 sessions on Thursday 18 February at 7-8pm or 8-9pm in the cosy, romantic surroundings of the Victoria Hotel for some serious book-lovin. To book, please visit www.ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents

Children aged 5-12 will also be able to try their skills at a free Ping Pong Challenge at Moor Allerton Library on Friday 19 February from 1-3pm.

Why not join author and ale-enthusiast Pete Bunten at Farsley Library on Friday 19 February from 6pm for an evening of sampling local beers and discovering their connection to the literary world. Pete will talk about some of our best-loved novelists and poets and how a healthy thirst influenced their work. Tickets are £5, to book please visit www.ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents

Back by popular demand, Philip Wilde will deliver his successful Treasures of the Library talk about some of the oldest and rarest items in our special collections. The talks will take place on Monday 15 February at 6pm at Otley Library, Tuesday 16 February at 5.30pm at Central Library and Saturday 20 February at 2pm at Central Library. To book your free place, phone Enquiry Express on 0113 247 6016.

For media enquiries, please contact;

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

Email: colin.dickinson@leeds.gov.uk