Stamping out the shhh!

Join us for our fourth Library Fest - two weeks of unique and exciting events and activities at libraries across the city, with something for everyone to enjoy! Events include performances, storytimes, crafts, coding, workshops, author events and chances to see treasures from our special collections. This year, you’ll notice we’re marking 250 years of Circus with some special events and we’re also really pleased to be celebrating LGBT History Month with a couple of special events at Central Library.Private subscription library The Leeds Library is also joining in again – see here for more information: https://www.theleedslibrary.org.uk

Things you need to know:It doesn’t stop here! Events and activities run all through the year at libraries across the city. Find out more by visiting our website or following us on social media. Events - http://whatson.leeds.gov.ukUnder 5s - http://www.leeds.gov.uk/leisure/Pages/Under-5s.aspxThere are hundreds of digital learning activities every month in Leeds Libraries. Improve your internet skills, explore your interests online or get creative in Studio12. Ask for a learning session at any of our libraries or visit:www.leeds.gov.uk/learningwww.studio12.org.uk

Unless otherwise stated, events are FREE and you can just turn up. Booking is required for some; please check the listing. Access to venues may vary; please contact the venues directly for further information All information is correct at the time of going to print. For up to date information please visit www.leeds.gov.uk/libraryfest

Key: F = Families; A = Adults; YP = Young people; C = Children; U5s = Under 5s; E = Everyone

Stamping out the shhh!

Think you know your library?

Think again!

Butterfly. A magical adventure to the bottom of the ocean.Tickets: £4 per person/£3 with library card. Booking required: operanorth.co.uk/productions/the-kingdom-under-the-sea

Monday 5 February

Multi-Sensory Social Extra meets Opera North’s Bring-Along-A-Baby ChoirCentral Library, Room 700; 10.30-12.00pm (10am relaxed doors)For new parents – enjoy light show projections, live classical music, objects to feel and evocative smells to explore, culminating in a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the fun of singing in a group, in a warm and friendly environment. Ticket includes a drink

Saturday 3 February – Sunday 18 February:

Big Top Leeds – ECentral Library, Room 700; during opening hoursThis exhibition unveils stories from the history of circus in Leeds. Part of Circus 250, celebrating 250 years of circus worldwide. Exhibition continues until 28th February.

Saturday 3 February

Opera North’s The Kingdom Under The Sea - FCentral Library, Room 700; start times 11:30am, 12:45pm, 2:30pmAn enchanting storytelling experience inspired by Japanese folk stories and Opera North’s production of Madama

Big Top Leeds; 3 - 18 February

and patisserie. Suitable for pre-crawlers.Tickets: £5 per adult & baby/£4 with library card. Booking required - ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents

As It Was: Stories from the Mill - AFarsley Library; 12.30-1.30pmLeeds has a rich history of cloth making and many tales to tell. Take a trip through the history and archives of Sunny Bank Mills and our Special Collections to discover the processes, stories and products of cloth making.Free event, booking required - ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents

Pyjama Drama – U5sBramley Community Hub; 2.00-2.30pmAn exciting adventure where your child’s imagination has the starring role. Pretend, play drama games, sing songs, dance, role play and have lots of fun!Free event, booking required – tel: 0113 3781851Other Pyjama Dramas:-Tuesday 6 February at Halton Library; 2.00-2.30pm, tel: 0113 3781865 Wednesday 7 February at Reginald Centre; 2.00-2.30pm, tel: 0113 3367683Thursday 8 February at Dewsbury Road Community Hub; 11.00-11.30am, tel: 0113 3785747

William Boyne: Private View - ACentral Library, The Portal; 2.00-4.00pmJoin our team of Librarians, who will guide you through one of the most

lavish treasures held at the Central Library - William Boyne’s History of Leeds - in a rare opportunity to see this extremely important work.Tickets £3. Booking required - ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents

Adult Gaming Evening – A 18+Central Library, The Portal; 5.00-7.00pmMeet up with new friends and join us for an evening of board gaming. We’ve lots of board games to choose from, or bring your favourite trading card decks to play.

Open Mic Night – ADewsbury Road Community Hub; 7.00-8.00pmCome along and read your own work, or share the work of a writer who inspires you. Email to register your interest: rachel.tallant@leeds.gov.uk Book as a spectator at ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents

The Room of Secrets: Escape Game – AWhinmoor Library; 7.00-8.00pmPut your wits to the test in this immersive game inspired by local Pagan legend and our special collections. Solve puzzle boxes to unlock the secrets of a mysterious group of researchers who believe they’ve unearthed something fiendish in the heart of Whinmoor. Free event, booking required - ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents

Tuesday 6 February

Music Making for Over 60s – AHunslet Library; 10.00-11.30amCreate your own piece of music using a wide range of digital instruments. No previous experience or musical background needed. A fun session where you can meet others. Refreshments provided. An Armley Odyssey – EArmley Community Hub; 1.30-2.15pmSee the imagined story of Armley Library’s most overdue book, as told in a short film produced by students from Swallow Hill Academy.

Hour of Code: Write Your Own Computer Program – AReginald Centre; 2.00-3.00pmLearn the basics of computer coding

and write your own program in an hour!Free event, booking required - ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents

Be Inspired: Special Collections Showcase – ACentral Library, Room 700; 5.00-7.00pmOur special collections are a unique and valuable resource for artists and performers – this is a rare opportunity for you to experience their creative potential, network with other artists and start new conversations.

The End of Alfred’s England: 1016 and the Danish Conquest – AMoor Allerton Community Hub; 5.45-6.45pmJoin Sunday Times Book of the Year novelist, Justin Hill, in this engaging and entertaining illustrated talk.

A Morning with Jacqueline Wilson; 15 February

Wednesday 7 February

Victoria Gardens History Tour – EMeet at War Memorial: 1.15-1.45pmFrom Victorian street signs to WW2 bomb damage, the space outside Leeds Central Library and the Art Gallery is dappled with clues to the history of the city. Join a guided lunchtime walk of this historical space – but remember to dress for Leeds weather!Free event, booking required - ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents

Pop Up Vintage Emporium – AScholes Library; 2.00-3.30pmListen to gramophone records of yesteryear. Enjoy the simple pleasures of tea, cake and bingo.

Crime Writing Workshop – ACentral Library, The Portal; 2.30-3.30pmJoin published crime writers Neil White and Paul Finch to develop your crime writing skills. Paul is a former policeman and journalist, who cut his literary teeth penning episodes of The Bill. Neil is a criminal lawyer by day, crime fiction writer by night.Tickets £4 per person, booking required - ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents Crime Writers, Lawyers and Coppers – talk by Paul Finch and Neil WhiteCentral Library, Room 700; 6.00-7.30pmTickets £2, booking required - ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents

Thursday 8 February

Relaxing with Crafting – AArmley Community Hub; from 10amMake a mood board, a gratitude jar and relax with Zentangles and book folding. Mood Boards 10 – 11am, Zentangles 11.30am – 12.30pm, Book Folding 1.30 - 2.30pm, Gratitude Jars 3.00 – 4.00pm.Free event, booking required – tel: 0113 3785670

Creative Play with Duplo – U5sYeadon Library; 10.30-11.30amFocusing on storytelling, creativity and imagination, these sessions promote developmental themes including fine motor skills, communication and language.Free event, booking required - ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents

Other Creative Play with Duplo sessions:-Thursday 15 February at Armley Community Hub; 10.30-11.30am and Horsforth Community Hub; 11.00-12.00pm. Booking required - ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents

The Dispensary for the Soul – ACentral Library, Room 700; 1.00-2.00pmDr. Rebecca Bowd talks about the history of libraries in Leeds. Discover which books were popular in the past and which caused divisions between library and borrower. In partnership with the Treasures of the Brotherton Gallery.

Engaging Libraries Programme Launch of Body Image and Mind project - ECentral Library, 1st Floor Art Library, Drawing Room; 1.00-4.00pmMeet the artists and library team and join us for fun creative taster sessions including drawing, painting, printing and photography inspired by art books and collections. Part of our Body Image and Mind project, supported by Carnegie / Wellcome Trust UK.

Storytellers: Fairy Tales – C aged 7+Calverley Library; 3.30-4.30pmDiscover how fairy tales have evolved through time and create your very own through Lego and spoken word!Free event, booking required - ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents

“The Tin God” – ACompton Centre; 4.00-5.00pmLocal author Chris Nickson discusses his new book in the Tom Harper series.

Friday 9 February

Philip Astley, Father of the Modern Circus – ACentral Library, Room 700; 1.00-2.00pm2018 marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the modern circus. Steve Ward reveals the stories behind the great man and his contribution to the development of this very British institution.Free event, booking required - ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents

Oskar’s amazing Adventure; 13 February

Saturday 10 February

What Would Maisy Do? U 5sCalverley Library; 10.30-11.30amCome along to a fabulous Maisy Party where we’ll be asking what Maisy would do through stories, games and laughter!Free event, booking required - ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents

Lego: Circus! – F, C aged 4+Central Library, The Portal; 10.30-11.30amBuild the circus of your dreams, then bring it to life using stop motion animation.Free event, booking required - ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents

Other Lego: Circus events (no booking required):-Monday 12 February at Garforth Library; 11.00-12.00pmThursday 15 February at Halton Library; 11.00-12.00pmFriday 16 February at Whinmoor Library; 2.00-3.00pm

Instagram Victoria Gardens – AMeet at War Memorial: 2.00-3.00pmJoin the Leeds Instagramers group on a tour of Victoria Gardens, snapping pics to illustrate the upcoming #VGZine, which will celebrate the heritage of this historical city space. Free event, contact @igersleeds on Instagram to book a place

Keep it in the Family – YP, ACentral Library, Room 700; 2.00-4.00pmJoin authors Patrice Lawrence, Rachael Lucas and Tamsyn Murray for a fabulous afternoon of laughter, lies and family ties as they explore the role of parents, grandparents and stress-you-out-siblings in their latest Young Adult books.Q&A followed by book signing.Free event, booking required –ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents

Drawing Room launch – ACentral Library, 1st Floor Art Library, Drawing Room; Drop in and Draw 10.30-12.00pm; Tote Make and Take 1.00-4.00pmExplore your creative talents at this special launch of the Drawing Room.Learn new skills, take inspiration from the art books and collections, meet the team and find out how you can get involved!

Monday 12 February

Ghost Story Creative Writing Workshop with Doctor Who author Daniel Blythe – YP aged 10+Moor Allerton Community Hub; 1.30-3.30pmWhether your story is full of warty witches, ghastly ghosts or dreadful demons, find out how to turn your ideas into powerful, spine-tingling prose to chill the blood.Tickets £3. Booking required - ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents

Steampunk Crafts Workshop with Philomena Spectre – YP 10+Halton Library; 1.30-3.30pmLearn more about steampunk style and make your own steampunk creations from a veritable cornucopia of materials! This is craft and upcycling with a twist.Tickets £3. Booking required - ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents

Magical Minecraft – C aged 7-11Chapel Allerton Library; 2.00-3.30pmHack Minecraft using a Raspberry Pi computer and create some amazing code, tricks and spells to take command of your Minecraft world at the push of a button! No experience necessary but suitable strictly for ages 7-11. Free event, booking required - ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents

Other Magical Minecraft sessions:-Monday 12 February at Holt Park Library; 2.00-3.30pmTuesday 13 February at Oakwood Library; 10.00-11.30amThursday 15 February at Armley Community Hub; 2.00-3.30pmFriday 16 February at Bramley Community Hub; 1.30-3.00pm and Crossgates Library; 2.00-3.30pmFree events, booking required - ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents

Family Quiz Night – FBeeston Library; 5.30-6.30pmCome along to a fun event for the entire family with questions for children and adults, bonus rounds and prizes! Free event, booking required - ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents

Hand Casting Workshop with Becky Truman; 15 February

Writing Interactive Fiction – YP, AGarforth Library; 6.00-8.00pmCombine coding, gaming and storytelling to create your own interactive adventure using Twine http://twinery.org/. No experience necessary – if you have your own tablet, please bring it along.Free event, booking required - ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents

Tuesday 13 February

Oskar’s Amazing Adventure – C aged 2-8Crossgates Library; 10.30-11.30am and Garforth Library; 2.00-3.00pmLittle puppy Oskar has to run down a mountain to find a friendly animal to play with. But where are all the animals? An original, heart-warming and entertaining play for young children and their families, full of good humour, adventure, music and song. Free event, booking required - ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents

George’s Marvellous Experiments – C aged 8+Reginald Centre; 11.00-12.00pmJoin in with Whizz-Popping science experiments!Free event, booking required -tel: 0113 3367683

Other George’s Marvellous Experiments:-Thursday 15 February at Compton Centre; 2.00-3.00pmtel: 0113 3367790Saturday 17 February at Moor

Allerton Community Hub; 10.30-1.30pmBooking required - ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents

Storytellers – C, FDewsbury Road Community Hub; 11.00-12.00pmPack your imagination and come on board with a storytelling adventure…enjoy an interactive performance and creative workshop with the Storytellers!Booking required - ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents

Other Storytellers workshops:Thursday 15 February at Beeston Library; 11.00-12.00pmFriday 16 February at Hunslet Library; 11.00-12.00pmBooking required - ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents

Information & Research: Inside Out – ECentral Library, 2nd Floor; 1.30-4.00pmWe’re showcasing items from our collections; from climbing to literature, film to Victorian inventions, plus a sprinkling of gems from our secret strong room.

Family Robot Challenge – FCompton Centre; 2.00-3.30pmWith Raspberry Pi robots.Free event, booking required -tel: 0113 3367790

Oh Susanna! by Urban Angels – ECentral Library, Room 700; performances at 1.30pm & 6.00pm

A wonderful illustration of Britain’s first black Victorian circus owner and his wife Susannah. Witness the backstage stories of this extraordinary couple who started Pablo Fanque’s Circus Royal in 1840’s Yorkshire. Free event, booking required - ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents

Wednesday 14 February

Circus Skills Workshop – C, FOtley Library; 10.30-12.30pmTry your hand at juggling, plate spinning, diabalo and other circus skills with the Leeds Children’s Circus.Pay As you Feel. Booking required - ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents

Also on Thursday 15 February at

Horsforth Community Hub; 2.00-4.00pm, booking as above.

Building Stories with Ruthie Boycott-Garnet – C aged under 6Seacroft Community Hub; 11.00-12.00pm & Reginald Centre; 2.00-3.00pmStories and crafts with handmade puppets for kids under 6. Free event, booking required – Seacroft tel: 0113 3781902, Reginald Centre tel: 0113 3367683

Frankenstein Filmmakers – YP aged 12+Garforth Library; 1.00-4.00pmWhat better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than by making your own monster movie, with fake-blood and flesh-eating zombies, followed by a movie premiere, all in 3 hours! Free event, booking required - ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents

Make Your Own Japanese Kokeshi Doll Jars with Tasneem Kausar; 16 February

Whistle Stop Opera: Don Giovanni – ACentral Library, Room 700; 1.00-2.00pmA cast of lively singers and an accordionist reveal the story of Don Giovanni in a live, interactive experience.Tickets £5. Booking required - www.operanorth.co.uk/whistle-stop-opera

Journal Making – EMoor Allerton Community Hub; 2.00-3.00pmCome and make a stunning, one-of-a-kind journal using beautiful papers, found images and your own creations. Learn how to customise your journal to make it a work of art.Free event, booking required - ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents

Fantasy Creative Writing Workshop – C aged 8-12Chapel Allerton Library; 2.00-3.00pmDesign your own character, choose a setting, and write the story. We’ll showcase your work in a special display for Leeds’ newest authors!Free event, booking required - ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents

Library Treasures in the Tiled Hall – ACentral Library, Tiled Hall Café; 3.00-4.30pmThe stunning surroundings of the Tiled Hall Café provide a beautiful backdrop for a new twist on this popular event. Enjoy the chance to indulge in some serious book-fancying, as our librarians do their

best to impress you with a range of unique items hand-picked from local collections. Free event, booking required - ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents

Bona! A History of Polari – ACentral Library, Room 700; 6.00-7.30pmTroll along to Central Library and join Ian Nipper as he tells us about the origins of this secret gay language and how it has fed into popular culture.Free event, booking required - ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents

Thursday 15 February

Hand Casting Workshop with Becky Truman – ACentral Library, Drawing Room; 10.30-12.30pm Becky is a former aerial circus performer, who now specialises in designs for circus projects including life casting. Take away your own hand cast at the end of the session. Tickets £5, booking required - ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents

A Morning with Jacqueline Wilson – C aged 7+Presented by Leeds Libraries & Carriageworks Theatre – Main Auditorium; 11.00am with free pre-show activity hourJoin us for a very special event with this best-selling and award-winning author. As well as talking about some of her much-loved characters,

Jacqueline will discuss her latest paperback, Wave Me Goodbye. Please note: no book signing but printed bookplates with Jacqueline’s signature will be available with every purchase.Tickets £7.50 adult, £5.50 child.Booking required - www.carriageworkstheatre.co.uk

Life in the Circus talk by Becky Truman – ACentral Library, Room 700; 1.00-1.45pmBecky talks about her work as an aerial performer and artistic director of her own aerial performance company, Skinning the Cat - Circus of the SkyFree event, booking required - ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents

Speed Date a Library Treasure III – AHyde Park Book Club; 7.30-9.00pmOur annual event is back to take adventurous readers on a literary thrill-ride, as our librarians share some of the most interesting items from our collections in three-minute slots.Tickets £3, booking required - ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents

Friday 16 February

Multi-Lingual Storytime – FCompton Centre; 11.30-12.00pmListen to stories in English and another language and borrow a bi-lingual book.

Big Top Leeds; 3 - 18 February

Wilde Ransomed – ACentral Library, Room 700; 1.00-2.00pmAnne Gaelan from the Arthur Ransome Society, talks about how Ransome saved the legend that was Oscar Wilde and unlocked the door to a new understanding of Wilde and Lord Alfred Douglas. Includes a screening of two short films ‘The Genius and the Rebel’ and ‘Wilde-Douglas’

Make Your Own Japanese Kokeshi Doll Jars with Tasneem Kausar – YP aged 10+Horsforth Community Hub; 1.30-3.30pmDesign and make your own Japanese Kokeshi Jar dolls which you can use to store your pens, as a money jar or anything else under the rainbow! All materials provided, just bring your imagination.Tickets £3. Booking required - ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents

Saturday 17 February

Tosho Con – E Central Library, various; 10.30-4.00pmA full day of geek and cosplay fun with a Maid Café, cosplay competition with prizes, retro games arcade supplied by Retro Events, workshops and stalls. Costumed cosplayers get in FREE£3 per person, booking required (free if dressed in cosplay) - ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents

Drag Queen Storytime! – C, FCentral Library, Children’s Library; 11.00-12.00pmJoin us for a fabulous storytime with The Witch Blair, brimming with stories, singalong songs and sparkling crafts!

More events fromThe Leeds Library!

The Leeds Library18 Commercial StreetLeeds LS1 6AL

Tel: 0113 245 3071

Email: enquiries@theleedslibrary.org.ukwww.theleedslibrary.org.uk

The Leeds Library, the oldest membership subscription library in the country, began life modestly in 1768 above a bookseller’s shop. Today the library is a charity and has a wonderful collection of books and periodicals. We are pleased to have The Leeds Library join Library Fest once again - this year celebrating its 250th Anniversary!

All events are free – booking recommended via The Leeds Library website www.theleedslibrary.org.uk

Found Fiction Launch Night - AThursday 8 February; 7.00-10.30pmThe launch night of #foundfiction - a guerrilla publishing experiment that connects readers and writers across the world. With support from Leeds Inspired, the event will be an evening of talks, film and spoken word performance encouraging

more writers, readers and lovers of literature to join the #foundfiction community.

The Leeds Library Treasure Book Adventure Quest - F ages 4-11Monday 12 - Friday 16 February; 10.00-4.00pm each dayWalk around The Leeds Library and find our nine wooden Treasure Books. Inside each one is a riddle. If you find all the books and answer all of the questions you will get a small gift. The Gruffalo & The Gruffalo’s Child Film Screening Double Bill - FSaturday 17 February; 2.00pmWatch these two family favourite films telling the story of the Mouse, the Gruffalo and the Gruffalo’s child in the unique splendour of The Leeds Library.

Drag Queen Storytime! 17 February

Stamping out the shhh!

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