Join us for this live and interactive version of our popular Family History workshop, for a friendly introduction to key concepts and resources for complete beginners. This session involves hands-on use of library iPads, which will be supplied. If you prefer to use your own device (like a laptop or other tablet) you can bring it with you. Please arrive in good time to connect to the library Wi-Fi and for our staff to navigate you to the pages we will be using. Free but booking required atwww.ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents [http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents] 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 our Local and Family History newsletter [https://bit.ly/LeedsLocalHistoryNews]. We are always happy to welcome you, find your closest library or get in touch: leeds.gov.uk/libraries [http://www.leeds.gov.uk/libraries]

Learn sewing machine skills to make your own pad and make pads to support women here and overseas. Drop in session. During these sessions we are sewing reusable, washable period packs. We welcome all sewing abilities to get involved with the workshops. They are a fun, relaxing and productive way to spend an afternoon. Freedom4Girls work to support those who menstruate by challenging the stigmas, taboos and gender inequalities associated with menstruation. We do this by providing education, providing period products, promoting product choice and supporting environmentally and financially sustainable options.

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. Tickets cost 5 and booking is required at www.ticketsource.co.uk/leedslibraryevents

Join Sapphia, the Assistant Community Curator at Leeds City Museum and the Discovery Centre to explore objects that have been acquired via community acquisitions from the people of Leeds and create our own zines, looking at an object that we find important and holds value to who we are as an individual. Plus get active with creating your own Zines, Badges and Patches ! Free 16+

Venture into life drawing in this relaxed, supportive four-week course taught by artist and tutor Boris Cruse. You'll explore figure drawing including line, gesture and shade to develop your own artistic style. Boris Cruse is a professional artist and Northlight Artistic director. He has many years experience teaching with arts organisations in Leeds and beyond.

Venture into life drawing in this relaxed, supportive four-week course taught by artist and tutor Paul Digby. You'll explore figure drawing including line, gesture and shade to develop your own artistic style. Paul has a strong portfolio exhibiting extensively, including EAST Gallery, Royal Society of Sculptors Gallery, Leeds City Gallery, the Cornerhouse in Manchester and the Saatchi Gallery.www.pauldigby.co.uk

Venture into life drawing in this relaxed, supportive four-week course taught by artist and tutor Boris Cruse. You'll explore figure drawing including line, gesture and shade to develop your own artistic style. Boris Cruse is a professional artist and Northlight Artistic director. He has many years experience teaching with arts organisations in Leeds and beyond. All drawing abilities welcome Materials provided 18+

Life Drawing 4-week course with life model. Mondays 5.30pm-7.30pm May 11 and 18th and June 1st and 8th Venture into life drawing in this relaxed, supportive four-week course taught by artist and tutor Paul Digby. You'll explore figure drawing including line, gesture and shade to develop your own artistic style. Paul has a strong portfolio exhibiting extensively, including EAST Gallery, Royal Society of Sculptors Gallery, Leeds City Gallery, the Cornerhouse in Manchester and the Saatchi Gallery. www.pauldigby.co.uk Age 18+ All materials and refreshments included Ticket Price 53

Join Leeds Libraries and Seven by Seven for a free uplifting music event! Seven by Seven is a friendly Leeds based open decks vinyl playing session. Bring along and play 7 of your 7 45rpm vinyl singles! No DJ skills required and if you just want to come along to listen, you will be warmly welcomed!" The ethos of Seven by Seven is no pressure, no competition, and no egos. For more information visit theirwebsite [https://7by7.club/]. Doors open 11am and a bar will be available (for payments by cash or card). Location: Music Library, Floor 1. This is a Leeds Libraries event, to find out more about future events follow us on social media @leedslibraries. Find your nearest library or get in touch here [https://libraries.leeds.gov.uk/].

Calling all Leeds-based songwriters aged 15 to 18! Leeds Library and Cloth Cat invite you to a FREE six weeksong writingcourse to help you develop your craft and artistry.The course will be led by musicianAnsley Prothero, who will support you to create your own compositions using guitar,keyboard or voice. You will have the opportunity to explore choosing a theme, writing your own lyrics and structuring your song. Ansley will help you to express yourself through song, and you'll also have the option to test out some basic recording techniques to capture your creations. Perfect for those looking to kickstart their songwriting, or for those who want to develop and refine their existing process. Expect to take away some new ideas and songs that you can continue to work on, and have the confidence to build your repertoire further! Song writing course runs Weds 6th, 13th, 20th May & 3rd, 10th, 17th June. This is a Leeds Libraries event in partnership with Cloth Cat, to find out more about future Leeds events follow us and Cloth Cat on social media @leedslibraries and @clothcat Find your nearest library or give us a call for more information. Call 0113 378 5005

Find creative expression through mending over two sessions with artist Lorna Johnstone. Together we will explore mending techniques and embroidery stitches, combining them in various ways to turn worn out clothes into wearable works of art. Lorna will guide you through what methods will work for different garments and fabrics, and show you step by step how to make a beautiful lasting repair. Bring along any garments that you would like to work on during the sessions. Lorna Johnstone is a visible mending teacher and artist specialising in accessible creative workshops that support mental health. Using traditional mending techniques darning and contemporary embroidery to visibly repair and extend the lives of clothing and textiles, Lorna creates spaces where sustainability, creativity, and people flourish together. Bring along any garments that you would like to work on during the sessions. Ages 14+

Join textile artist Hayley Mills-Styles for this improvers hand embroidery workshop. Learn how to develop your embroidery stitches by working them in new ways and exploring texture and dimension with different threads. Hayley will supply a range of embroidery threads and fabrics as well as equipment like embroidery hoops and needles for you to develop your skills. The workshop is suitable for anyone who wants to build on a beginners workshop or hasnt embroidered for a while and would like to rediscover their skills. Are you working on an existing project or dont know how to finish that dreaded work in progress? Bring them along to the workshop and Hayley will offer some hints and tips to help you develop your embroidery skills. Refreshments are Included, but please bring your own lunch/ visit the Tiled Hall etc for the break. Suitable for 14+

Decompress and chill in the Drawing Room with your unfinished project or your next crafting adventure! Get help from others, delve into the inspirational Art Library books and resources. Start something new, share a skill or simply find a space to get on with your craft and listen to a great playlist! Gain access to sewing machines, overlocker and cricut. Hot drinks are provided. This is for those 16+

Free family craft activities! Join artist Thahmina Begum who has designed a series of family friendly arts and crafts workshops for 4+ to illuminate the themes in our Story Explorers exhibition. Come along and build a story rocket on our crafting table, make a jungle soundscape with found materials or take part in our under-the-sea glow and dance activity at different pop-up zones across the library. You can play your way around our Story Explorers family exhibition at Leeds Central Library until 30 May. Story Explorers is co-produced by the British Library and Leeds Libraries. This workshop was co-designed with local families to have fun and spark curiosity from Story Explorers. This is a partnered 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 for Children and Families:bit.ly/FamilyLibraryNews [https://s7umw.mjt.lu/wgt/s7umw/0sty/form?c=4fa7f087] We are always happy to welcome you, find your closest library or get in touch: libraries.leeds.gov.uk [https://libraries.leeds.gov.uk/]