This week we have the first in a potentially recurring segment from one of our librarians, Harry-Anne Bentley, who has a keen interest in LGBTQ+ history, and the ways that art and literature seek to fight and survive in an oppressive world. Welcome readers, for our first discussion on Surviving Censorship, I thought we’d explore…
Any work that wanted doing
This week we hear once again from artist Gill Crawshaw, who has been delving into the Central Library archives to uncover the hidden history of disability and West Yorkshire’s textile heritage. The article is published to mark the start of UK Disability History Month, which begins on November 18. An exciting exhibition of new artwork is on at…
A Brief History of Leeds #12: The 1970 and 1980s
Part twelve of a series exploring the history of Leeds, using books and other stock resources held in the Leeds Libraries collections. For all the entries in this series, see our dedicated page. The eleventh part of this series looked at the African-Caribbean community in Leeds, and ended with a reflection on the importance of…
Mary Shelley – The First Science Fiction Author
This week, library and digital assistant Alexandra Brummitt takes a look at our special edition of Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus published in 1831. She discusses the life and inspirations of author Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, the first science fiction writer. Frankenstein or, The Modern Prometheus written by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, (born Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin) is…
A Brief History of Leeds #11: The Post-War City, part 2
Part eleven of a series exploring the history of Leeds, using books and other stock resources held in the Leeds Libraries collections. For all the entries in this series, see our dedicated page. In our tenth part we explored collections relating to Leeds United and its important role as a carrier of the Leeds name…
Women of Beckett Street Cemetery: Theodosia Grimshaw Wilkinson (1831-1901)
This week we hear from Jeanette B of the Friends of Beckett Street Cemetery group about the life and achievements of an inspiring Leeds woman… Whilst researching and reading on the Friends of Beckett Street Cemetery website I was very interested to find a gentleman buried in the Cemetery who was known as the ‘Blind…
Banned books!
This week on the blog we share details of a lovely display curated by staff in our Business and Intellectual Property department (BIPC) for Banned Books Week 2023 (October 1 – 7), using some treasures from our Central Library collections. The display is available to view on the 2nd floor of the Central Library. This is the…
Heritage Open Day 2023 Round-Up
This week on the Secret Library we round-up all the amazing events Leeds Libraries offered during Heritage Open Day Week! All images are (c) Leeds Libraries unless stated otherwise Local History Open DayWe kicked things off on Saturday September 9 with the second in our Local History Open Days – a chance for us to…
The Secret Library | Leeds Libraries Heritage Blog 