Join the Curator of Dress and Textiles at Lotherton for a special talk exploring the clothes worn by children in the past. Discover the ways in which they often resembled miniature adults.  See a selection of the historic garments discussed up close, followed by tea in the servants’ rooms with the curator.

This talk complements the exhibition Fashion at Play: Children’s Clothing Through the Ages.

Ticket price includes general admission to Lotherton, so make sure you leave time to explore the wide

Join us for an entertaining trip behind the scenes of our magnificent Grade II* listed building. Find out about the architecture, history and famous visitors, as well as visiting some secret corners! Tours last approximately 1 hour and leave from the ground floor atrium, outside the Lending department.

This is a Leeds Libraries event, to keep up to date with further events please follow us on social media @leedslibraries and sign up to Leeds Libraries Newsletter  

We are always happy to welcome you, find your closest library or get in touch: leeds.gov.uk/libraries

Explore the vexing questions posed by a Victorian haunting

This talk will examine the historic account of the haunting that occurred at the Leeds Library in the 1880s, looking at the individuals involved in the case and why in fact a librarian needed a gun!

Explore the salacious side of the Victorians!

The Sensation Novel, a popular form from the 1860s and 1870s, is a challenge to our assumptions about the Victorians. Far from being narratives about propriety and happy marriages, sensational plots are filled with crime, adultery, bigamy and misbehaviour. Join us for discussions of the key sensational novels of the 1860s-70s. You may not have heard of all the novelists, but there is a world of Victorian naughtiness to explore.   

Grab the mic and say it with your chest at our open mic fundraiser

Whether you’re a poet or novelist, short-story writer, musician, stand-up comedian, or want to share a favourite piece of writing, the stage in our brand new event space awaits.

Sig-up for spots is on the night on a first-come, first-served basis, and strictly for a maximum of five minutes. Any accompaniment must be acoustic only. A paid bar will be available, as will a table for performers to sell books/CDs/merch directly to the audience. 

Spend the night in one of the country’s oldest libraries!

The Leeds Library on Commercial Street, Leeds, is a haven for readers, writers, and booklovers. Founded in 1768, its forever home in the heart of the city centre dates from 1808.

Housing a growing collection of 140,000 books, the Leeds Library Sleepover—back by popular demand—is your chance to immerse yourself in the library’s atmosphere, its labyrinth of shelves and bookcases, galleries, and basement. And who knows —one or other of our friendly spooks might put in an appearance.

In June each year, we celebrate the legacy of the Windrush generation and their descendants on Windrush Day. Now, 77 years on from the arrival of Empire Windrush, we want to mark this anniversary by getting to know the local history of racial justice in our city.

Join Leeds Sanctuary as we learn about the history of the Black community in Leeds, while sketching landmarks in the city centre. This creative evening will be led by local historian and artist, Clifford Stead.