AUTHOR talks, writing workshops, live music and craft activities will be taking place in Leicester’s libraries to mark Green Libraries Week – and it’s all free.
Green Libraries Week is an annual national event celebrating what libraries have to offer, with a focus on the climate and sustainability. Activities fill up fast, so it’s advisable to book now for events taking place during the week, which runs from 27 October to 1 November.
Among the events are an author talk from Jasper Fforde, bestselling author of The Eyre Affair and the Last Dragonslayer series, who will be at Leicester Central Library on the evening of Monday 27 October. Tickets for the event are available now.
Acclaimed Leicester-born playwright Joe Orton is the subject of a talk by Dr Emma Parker at Knighton Library on the evening on Tuesday 28 October; while on Wednesday 29th, there is an evening of conversation with Marcia Hutchinson at Highfields Library (also part of Black History Month). Marcia will be discussing her solo literary debut, The Mercy Step - a tender portrait of a young girl’s quiet rebellion as she grows up in 1960s Bradford.
On Thursday 30 October, join the energy advice team at Leicester Central Library from 11am-1pm to learn how to use the Homewise Retrofit planner to save energy. There’s also a chance to find out about the new Warm Homes local grant and see if you qualify.
A British Film Institute screening at the Central library on the same day (30 Oct, 1-2.15pm) will provide a unique insight into local film archives, with a special screening of the 1970 short film, 'Leicestershire: A Heritage at Risk'.
And on Thursday evening at the Central library (30 Oct, 7pm) there is an evening with contemporary folk musician Adam Weikert, including a short set of songs from his new album, ‘To Whom Ourselves We Owe’.
The week concludes with a local writers’ fair on Saturday 1 November at Leicester’s Central library, where visitors can browse stalls, meet local authors and publishers, or take part in a writing workshop.
Assistant city mayor for health, culture, libraries and community centres, Cllr Vi Dempster, said: “Our libraries in Leicester are a fantastic resource and Green Libraries Week demonstrates just how versatile they are – as places of learning, for communities to meet and for socialising.
“As well as these great events, we’ll be running craft activities that focus on recycling and reusing materials, and sessions introducing people to planting and growing.
“I hope that lots of people will take the opportunity to try something new, for free, during Green Libraries Week, and enjoy our citywide programme of events.”
To find out more and to book onto the free events, visit leicester.gov.uk/greenlibrariesweek
ENDS