In this short article, Librarian Antony Ramm explores a small but valuable addition to our collection of Tolkien-related materials at Leeds Central Library. This article is part of our series on the current Fantasy: Realms of Imagination exhibition, taking place at the Central Library until January 2024… As most people probably know, legendary fantasy author…
Taking inspiration from Terry Pratchett
In this article Library and Digital Assistant Becky Bavill points us towards some sources of Terry Pratchett’s creativity in the Central Library collections. This article is part of our series on the current Fantasy: Realms of Imagination exhibition, taking place at the Central Library until January 2024… You can’t talk about fantasy without talking about…
Fantasy: Realms of Imagination
Our new exhibition, inspired by Fantasy: Realms of Imagination at the British Library opened in November and aims to bring a bit of magic to Leeds Central Library over the cold winter months, before touring to community libraries across the city. The beautiful grade II* listed building with its winding staircases and heraldic beasts lends…
Leeds Gig Heritage
As paper ticket transactions become a thing of the past, the Leeds Local Studies library is creating a living record of Leeds gig history. Anyone with an old ticket stub or a memory of a past Leeds gig can contribute to the collection, and with no end date, this is a collection of tickets and…
Surviving Censorship: Patricia Highsmith
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…
The Secret Library | Leeds Libraries Heritage Blog 