Libraries Week

ESOL Everyday English, Belgrave library, 10-11am

Come along to meet our tutors and find out more about our ESOL classes. There will be some fun activities to encourage you to practise your English. No booking required.

Leicester Environmental Volunteers, Beaumont Leys Library, 10am-12noon

Come along to find out how you can take part in environmental and conservation volunteering throughout Leicester. It’s a great way to help the environment, meet new people, and enjoy being outdoors.

Have fun with Maths and save money, Pork Pie library, 10-11am

Maths is all around us! Come and join us for a fun-filled session which will help you to save money around your home.  You will learn about budgeting and energy saving ideas. No booking required.

Herb Workshop, Beaumont Leys library, 1-2:30pm

Join us for a talk by the Conservation Volunteers about herbs throughout history, as well as their modern uses. Booking advised.

ESOL Everyday English, Highfields library, 1-2pm

Come along to meet our tutors and find out more about our ESOL classes. There will be some fun activities to encourage you to practise your English. No booking required.

Energy Projects Information Session, Westcotes library, 3-6:30pm

Leicester City Council’s Energy Projects Team will be available to talk to about grants to improve the energy efficiency of your home. Grants are available for insulation, low carbon heating and solar panels which can help lower your fuel bills and keep your home warmer this winter.

A Family At War: How Æthelflæd, Lady of the Mercians, helped fulfil her father’s dream, Central Library, 6-7pm

Join Professor David Stokes for a talk based on the subject of his book King Alfred's Daughter - the remarkable story of Æthelflæd, Lady of the Mercians, the heroine who was written out of history. Contact the library to book a place.

Recycling and Reuse Information Session, New Parks library, 10am-12noon

Come along and talk to staff from Waste Services about simple ways you can reduce your waste, recycle more, and protect the environment. From food waste and composting to recycling at home, we will be happy to answer your questions.

Have fun with Maths and save money, Belgrave library, 10-11am

Maths is all around us! Come and join us for a fun-filled session which will help you to save money around your home. You will learn about budgeting and energy saving ideas. No booking required.

Recycle Crafts - Crocheting, Brite Centre, 10am-12noon

Learn basic crochet stitches to make a dishcloth or placemat, using recycled textiles. Limited spaces.  Contact the library to book a place.

Digital Skills for Life, New Parks library, 10-11am

Bring your smartphone or tablet to learn a few useful skills and make the most of the digital world.  No booking required.

ESOL Everyday English, Beaumont Leys library, 10-11am

Come along to meet our tutors and find out more about our ESOL classes. There will be some fun activities to encourage you to practise your English. No booking required.

Meet the Author: Hamish Whiteley, Beaumont Leys library, 10:30-11:30am

Join us for a morning with former teacher and lecturer, Hamish Whiteley. His book, ‘Growing Up With Grandma’ - a collection of stories about a year in the life of a nine-year-old boy living with his grandparents in Huddersfield in 1959 was featured on BBC Radio 4. Hamish has appeared at various arts venues and festivals, with several of his plays performed at Leicester’s Phoenix Theatre and the Edinburgh Festival. His Harry Knuckles detective stories were a feature of the Leicester Mercury newspaper for many years. Contact the library to book a place.

Design your own tote bag, Highfields Library, 11am-2:30pm

Design and create your own canvas tote bag using African stencils. All materials provided. Contact the library to book a place.

Energy Projects Information Session, Hamilton Library, 12-5pm

Leicester City Council’s Energy Projects Team will be available to talk to about grants to improve the energy efficiency of your home. Grants are available for insulation, low carbon heating and solar panels which can help lower your fuel bills and keep your home warmer this winter.

Recycle Crafts - Crocheting, Belgrave library, 1-3pm

Learn basic crochet stitches to make a dishcloth or placemat, using recycled textiles. Limited spaces.  Contact the library to book a place.

Save a Life - Family Learning, New Parks library, 12:30-2:30pm

Come along and find out how to treat choking and carry out CPR in our 30-minute workshop provided by Family Learning. No booking required.

Recycling and Reuse Information Session, Aylestone library, 2-4pm

Come along and talk to staff from Waste Services about simple ways you can reduce your waste, recycle more, and protect the environment. From food waste and composting to recycling at home, we will be happy to answer your questions.

Leicester Cathedral Revealed - display and handling session, Highfields Library, 2-5pm

Expert guides from Leicester Cathedral will be bringing along a pop-up display and some archaeological finds from its recent dig. Drop in and learn all about what’s been discovered and what this tells us about Leicester’s history and some of the people who lived and died here. All ages welcome.

Digital Skills for Life, St Matthews library, 1-2pm

Come and meet landscape planner, Chryse Tinsley, to find out which trees are around you in the city; what the council are planting and why; plus some of the challenges faced.

Trees in the city centre, Central Library, 4-6pm

Come and meet landscape planner, Chryse Tinsley, to find out which trees are around you in the city; what the council are planting and why; plus some of the challenges faced.

Leicester Environmental Volunteers, Central Library, 4-6pm

Come along to find out how you can take part in environmental and conservation volunteering throughout Leicester. It’s a great way to help the environment, meet new people, and enjoy being outdoors.

The Story Tree, Fosse Library, 6:45-8:45pm

Storytelling is as old as time and at the heart of every culture. The Story Tree is an adult storytelling circle for Leicester and Leicestershire. Everyone 16+ is welcome to tell stories or just to listen.

Have fun with Maths and save money, New Parks library, 10-11am

Maths is all around us! Come and join us for a fun-filled session which will help you to save money around your home.  You will learn about budgeting and energy saving ideas. No booking required.

Digital Skills for Life, Pork Pie library, 10-11am

Bring your smartphone or tablet to learn a few useful skills and make the most of the digital world.  No booking required.

Make a draught excluder, St Barnabas library, 10am-12noon

Using donated textiles and materials, you will learn how to make a draught excluder to take home at the end of the session. Limited spaces. Contact the library to book a place.

Recycling and Reuse information session, Hamilton library, 11:30am-1:30pm

Come along and talk to staff from Waste Services about simple ways you can reduce your waste, recycle more, and protect the environment. From food waste and composting to recycling at home, we will be happy to answer your questions.

Sustainable Baskets, St Matthews library, 12noon-2pm

Using recycled materials to create a basket which you can take home at the end of the session.  Limited spaces.  Contact the library to book a place.

Sew To Save, Beaumont Leys, 1-3pm

Learn basic sewing skills, practice sewing on buttons, hems and patches to make clothes repairs at home.   All materials used have been donated.  Limited spaces.  Contact the library to book a place.

Leicester Cathedral Revealed - display and handling session, Highfields Library, 2-5pm

Expert guides from Leicester Cathedral will be bringing along a pop-up display and some archaeological finds from its recent dig. Drop in and learn all about what’s been discovered and what this tells us about Leicester’s history and some of the people who lived and died here. All ages welcome.

A Windrush Celebration, Central Library, 6:30pm

Celebrate the Windrush generation with Alford and Howard Gardner in conversation with Harris Joshua. Contact the library to book a place.

The Literarti Clinic - Community Poetry Salon, Central Library, 7-9pm

Join Ty’rone Haughton at a free poetry workshop for new and experienced poets. To register interest and for more information email: literatiarts@gmail.com. 

Meet the Author: Hamish Whiteley, Pork Pie Library, 7-8pm

Join us for an evening with former teacher and lecturer, Hamish Whiteley. His book, ‘Growing Up With Grandma’ - a collection of stories about a year in the life of a nine-year-old boy living with his grandparents in Huddersfield in 1959 was featured on BBC Radio 4. Hamish has appeared at various arts venues and festivals, with several of his plays performed at Leicester’s Phoenix Theatre and the Edinburgh Festival. His Harry Knuckles detective stories were a feature of the Leicester Mercury newspaper for many years. Contact the library to book a place.

Have fun creating silk art, Evington Library, 10am-2pm

Start your silk printing journey at Evington Library. This effective printing technique will both encourage your creativity and surprise as you create a unique piece of art. All materials provided. Contact the library to book a place.

Create a book cover, Westcotes, 10am-12noon

Join us for a fun session where you can create a unique cover from felt. Contact the library for more details and to book a place.

Have fun with Maths and save money, Highfields library, 10-11am

Maths is all around us! Come and join us for a fun-filled session which will help you to save money around your home. You will learn about budgeting and energy saving ideas. No booking required.

Create your own video, St Barnabas library, 10am-12noon

Edit and personalise a video, using photos, video clips and a soundtrack. Limited spaces. Contact the library to book a place.

Recycling and Reuse Information Session, St Barnabas library, 11am-1pm

Come along and talk to staff from Waste Services about simple ways you can reduce your waste, recycle more, and protect the environment. From food waste and composting to recycling at home, we will be happy to answer your questions.

Salt Dough workshop, Belgrave library, 1-3pm

Brighten up your day and make salt dough flowers to take away. All materials provided. Limited spaces. Contact the library to book a place.

Repurpose book craft, Rushey Mead library, 1-2:30pm

Breathe new life into old, unwanted books in this fun craft session. No booking required.

Recycling and Reuse Information Session, Belgrave library, 2-4pm

Come along and talk to staff from Waste Services about simple ways you can reduce your waste, recycle more, and protect the environment. From food waste and composting to recycling at home, we will be happy to answer your questions.

British Sign Language Taster, Central Library, 1.30-3.30pm

Find out more about British Sign Language. Learn some basic BSL signs to introduce yourself and greet others in this introductory session. Limited Spaces. Contact the library to book a place.

National Poetry Day, Central Library, 6-8pm

An evening of live poetry from the Midlands’ best writers and poets. Featuring performances from The Orator, 9ina, Stickman and Lekky. To book your free ticket go to eventbrite.co.uk.

Meet the author: Louise Doughty, Central Library, 7-8pm

Louise Doughty’s novels include Platform Seven, recently filmed for ITV; Black Water, a New York Times Notable Book of the Year; the bestseller Apple Tree Yard, which was adapted for BBC One; and Whatever You Love, nominated for the Costa Novel Award and the Women’s Prize for fiction. She has been nominated for many other prizes including the Sunday Times Short Story Prize and the CWA Silver Dagger, along with creating and writing the hit BBC drama Crossfire. Her work has been translated into thirty languages. Copies of Louise’s new book, A Bird In Winter, will be available to buy after the event. Contact the library to book a place.

Meet the Author: Hamish Whiteley, Knighton Library, 6:30-7:30pm

Join us for an evening with former teacher and lecturer, Hamish Whiteley. His book, ‘Growing Up With Grandma’ - a collection of stories about a year in the life of a nine-year-old boy living with his grandparents in Huddersfield in 1959 was featured on BBC Radio 4. Hamish has appeared at various arts venues and festivals, with several of his plays performed at Leicester’s Phoenix Theatre and the Edinburgh Festival. His Harry Knuckles detective stories were a feature of the Leicester Mercury newspaper for many years. Contact the library to book a place.

Have fun with Maths and save money, Brite Centre, 10-11am

Maths is all around us! Come and join us for a fun-filled session which will help you to save money around your home.  You will learn about budgeting and energy saving ideas. No booking required.

ESOL Everyday English, Pork Pie library, 10-11am

Come along to meet our tutors and find out more about our ESOL classes. There will be some fun activities to encourage you to practise your English. No booking required.

Have a go at Spanish, Brite Centre, 1-2pm

Come along to a friendly, relaxed, and fun session where you can learn some simple phrases to order food and drink in Spanish! No booking required.

Leicester Cathedral Revealed - talk, Evington Library, 2-4pm

Whilst closed for an ambitious building project, archaeologists from the University of Leicester excavated the ancient site discovering many fascinating finds.  Join us to learn what these finds tell us about the history of Leicester and the people who lived and died here.  After the talk there will be a Q&A session plus a chance to handle some of the finds. 

Recycling and Reuse Information Session, Knighton library, 2-4pm

Come along and talk to staff from Waste Services about simple ways you can reduce your waste, recycle more, and protect the environment. From food waste and composting to recycling at home, we will be happy to answer your questions.

Retelling and Reimagining: Young Adult Fiction, Central Library, 6:30pm

Join authors Rachel Faturoti and DD Armstrong as they discuss the art of crafting new worlds for a young audience. Contact the library to book a place.

Save a life - Family Learning, Brite Centre, 11am-2:30pm

Come along and find out how to treat choking and carry out CPR in our 30-minute workshop provided by Family Learning. No booking required.

Local Writers Fair, Central Library, 10am-3:30pm

Browse stalls, hear from local authors and publishers, or even take part in a writing workshop or discussion panel. During the day we have:

What editors do. In this workshop, Farhana Shaikh, founder of Dahlia Books, will share what editors do, how they commission new writers, and publish work. She will share her top tips on finding places to publish your work, including literary journals and prizes. The session will finish with a themed writing exercise exploring 'Landscape', the theme of Dahlia Book's Present Tense Literary Magazine forthcoming issue. Limited spaces: please book a place at the library. 11am-12noon.

Meet the Author: JL Worrad. Join the Leicester-born fantasy and science fiction author of the Feral Space series for a talk and Q&A. His award-winning short film Flawless was screened at Cannes and CERN and his most recent books are Pennyblade and The Keep Within. 11am-12pm.

Introduction to Creative Writing, (Leicester Adult Education taster session). Try your hand at creative writing and share your experiences of Libraries and reading. Take part, learn some tips when starting to write and create a shared memoir of the joys of reading. Limited spaces: please book a place at the library. 12-2pm.

Weird Worlds, and How We Build Them. For 15 years, The Speculators have been Leicester's pre-eminent genre writing collective. This panel discussion and Q&A will delve into world-building, writing groups and much more. 2-3pm.

Jotting & Journalling. Join Katie Sone of Write Mindful for a session on journalling and how it can ease a busy mind. Katie will guide you through writing techniques, notes and tips designed to unclutter, and calm the mind. Limited spaces: please book a place at the library 2-4pm.

Classical Indian Dance, Belgrave library, 1-2:30pm

Come along to a fun session of classical Indian dancing led by a professional tutor. All welcome. No booking required.

Meet the Author: Carrie Dunn, Aylestone Library, 2-3pm

Join sportswriter and journalist, Carrie Dunn, for a talk about the long history of women's football. Find out why it was effectively banned in 1921 and called "quite unsuitable for females", right through to its glorious present and looking to its exciting future and exploring the challenges its players still face, whether that's pitches, pay or periods. Booking required. Copies of Carrie’s latest book will be available to buy after the event. 

Meet the Author: Greg Scorzo, Central Library, 4pm

An informal conversation with author Greg Scorzo, punctuated with some of the dialogues from his innovative new Leicester based novel, Love before Covid, followed by a participatory discussion. Adults only. Contact the library to book a place.

Poetry & Truth: performance and talk, Central Library, 6-7pm

Join Ty’rone Haughton as he explores the power of truth in poetry; the role truth plays and the responsibility and license the writer has with truth. Contact the library to book a place.

Creative Writing Taster Workshop, Belgrave Library, 2-3pm

Have you always wanted to try writing creatively but don't know where to start? Or do you want to sharpen your writing skills in a fun and inspiring setting? In this taster workshop, award-winning writer Mahsuda Snaith will take you through some short writing exercises that will help you explore your craft and leave you with ideas to work on in the future. Suitable for beginners and experienced writers. Limited Spaces.  Contact the library to book a place.