The fourth Library Fest will run across Leeds from the 3rd -17th February with 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 specialist collections. This year, the event will also mark 250 years of Circus with some special events.
There are so many events for families to enjoy during Library Fest, we have included a selection below but for the full round-up and up to date information visit http://www.leeds.gov.uk/libraryfest
Unless otherwise stated, events are FREE and you can just turn up. Booking is required for some; please check the listing.
Saturday 3 February – Sunday 18 February: Big Top Leeds
Central Library, Room 700; during opening hours.
This 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
Central Library, Room 700; start times 11:30am, 12:45pm, 2:30pm
An enchanting storytelling experience inspired by Japanese folk stories and Opera North’s production of Madama Buttery. A magical adventure to the bottom of the ocean.
Tickets: £4 per person/£3 with library card. Booking required: https://www.operanorth.co.uk/productions/the-kingdom-under-the-sea
Monday 5 February: Multi-Sensory Social Extra meets Opera North’s Bring-Along-A-Baby Choir
Central 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 and patisserie. Suitable for pre-crawlers.
Tickets: £5 per adult & baby/£4 with a library card. Booking required – http://ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents
Saturday 10 February: Lego: Circus! Aged 4+
Central Library, The Portal; 10.30- 11.30am
Build the circus of your dreams, then bring it to life using stop motion animation. Free event. Booking required – http://ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents
Other Lego Circus events (no booking required)
Monday 12 February at Garforth Library; 11.00-12.00pm
Thursday 15 February at Halton Library; 11.00-12.00pm
Friday 16 February at Whinmoor Library; 2.00-3.00pm
Monday 12 February: Ghost Story Creative Writing Workshop with Doctor Who author Daniel Blythe
Moor Allerton Community Hub; 1.30-3.30pm, aged 10+
Whether 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 – http://ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents
Monday 12 February: Magical Minecraft
Chapel Allerton Library, 2.00- 3.30pm, 7-11 years
Hack 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 – http://ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents
Other sessions include:
Monday 12 February at Holt Park Library; 2.00-3.30pm
Tuesday 13 February at Oakwood Library; 10.00-11.30am
Tuesday 13 February: Oskar’s Amazing Adventure
Crossgates Library; 10.30-11.30am and Garforth Library; 2.00-3.00pm
Little 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, ages 2-8 years, booking required – http://ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents
Tuesday 13 February: George’s Marvellous Experiments
Reginald Centre; 11.00-12.00pm.
Join in with Whizz-Popping science experiments! Free event, booking required – Tel: 0113 3367683.
Other George’s Marvellous Experiment
Thursday 15 February at Compton Centre; 2.00-3.00pm. Tel: 0113 3367790.
Saturday 17 February at Moor: Allerton Community Hub; 10.30-1.30pm.
Booking required – http://ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents
Wednesday 14th February: Building Stories with Ruthie Boycott-Garnet
Seacroft Community Hub; 11.00-12.00pm & Reginald Centre; 2.00-3.00pm.
Stories and crafts with handmade puppets for kids under 6. Free event, booking required – Seacroft tel: 0113 3781902, Reginald Centre Tel: 0113 3367683
Wednesday 14th February: Journal Making
Moor Allerton Community Hub, 2.00-3.00pm.
Come 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
Wednesday 14th February: Fantasy Creative Writing Workshop
Chapel Allerton Library; 2.00-3.00pm, aged 8-12 years.
Design 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 http://ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents
Thursday 15 February: Circus Skills Workshop
Horsforth Community Hub; 2.00-4.00pm
Try your hand at juggling, plate spinning, diabalo and other circus skills with the Leeds Children’s Circus. Booking http://ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents
Thursday 15 February: A Morning with Jacqueline Wilson
Presented by Leeds Libraries & Carriageworks Theatre – Main Auditorium; 11.00am with free pre- show activity hour. Aged 7+.
Join 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 http://www.carriageworkstheatre.co.uk
Monday 12 – Friday 16 February: The Leeds Library Treasure Book Adventure
10.00am-4.00pm each day, age 4- 11 years.
Walk 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.
Saturday 17 February: 2.00pm, The Gruffalo & The Gruffalo’s Child Film Screening Double Bill Watch 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.
The Leeds Library, 18 Commercial Street Leeds LS1 6AL. Tel: 0113 245 3071
Email: enquiries@theleedslibrary.org.uk
* Information courtesy of Leeds Library and Information Service