Lord Mayor's Big Read: Christmas Book Gifting

This Christmas, the Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Councillor Sioned-Mair Richards, is inviting you to share the joy of reading with children from families that are struggling financially across the city.

Simply purchase a book by 12 December from our online shopfront, hosted by our bookselling partner La Biblioteka. You can choose from board books for babies, picture books, middle-grade (junior school) books, and young adult novels - our curated selection has something for every child!

Your book will be gifted to a family in need via our distribution partners S6 Foodbank, part of the Trussell Trust. S6 Foodbank run a network of foodbanks across the city, from Parson Cross to Woodhouse, and provided 28,258 food bank parcels to people in crisis over the last six months.

We will match your book to a child or young person on your behalf.

How it works

• Visit our online shopfront and select your book(s)
• Check that the 'BIG READ CAMPAIGN FREE FOODBANK DELIVERY' option is selected - you will not be charged for delivery!
• On the payment page, untick the 'Deliver to different address' option. You do not need to put in an address for the library or the foodbank - our lovely booksellers will recognise it as a Big Read book gifting order and will do everything necessary.
• That's it!

To find out more about the Lord Mayor's Big Read, click here.

Thank you and a very merry Christmas, from Sheffield Libraries, the Lord Mayor of Sheffield, S6 Foodbank and La Biblioteka.

Black History Month 2022: Black Books for Kids and Teens

Did you miss our Black History Month bookchat? Or do you just want a reminder of all the books we recommended? No problem! You can now watch our bookchat video again over on our YouTube channel (now with subtitles) or you can access all our recommendations, PLUS some bonus titles, in this handy pdf.

We have something for everyone, from picture books to Young Adult and from non-fiction to graphic novels. Check out these fantastic books from some of the best Black authors and illustrators working today, recommended by your friendly local librarians Liz and Zoey.

All the books are available to borrow (or very soon will be) from your local library. Be first in the queue and reserve your copy now via the Sheffield Libraries catalogue or Lambeth Libraries catalogue.

If you've enjoyed one of our recommendations, or have a favourite read that you'd like to share with us, please leave us a comment, or follow @SheffLibraries and @lamlibs and join the conversation on Twitter!

Celebrating Black History Month 2022

October is Black History Month in the UK, when people and organisations across the country shine a spotlight on Black history, and celebrate the ongoing achievements and contributions of Black people in the UK and beyond.

We at Sheffield Libraries have brought together a fascinating programme of events for children, young people and adults this month. Read on to find out more!

Black Books for Kids

Saturday 8 October, 11am, free
Delivered online through Facebook Live

Zoey Dixon from Lambeth Libraries and our own Liz Chapman are back with a fantastic selection of new books for children and young people by Black authors and illustrators. We have something for everyone, from board books to Young Adult and non-fiction to graphic novels. Join us online, and why not share some of your own favourites in the chat too?

The recording will also be available to watch afterwards via our Youtube channel.

The Extraordinary Life of Charles Ignatius Sancho, with Paterson Joseph

Friday 14 October, 7pm, from £5.00
Delivered online via the Living Knowledge Network
Book on the British Library website

Acclaimed British actor Paterson Joseph draws from his highly-anticipated debut novel to tell the extraordinary story of 18th-century writer, abolitionist and composer Charles Ignatius Sancho. Charles’s story began with his birth on board a slave ship in c.1729, before being orphaned and sold into slavery.

The Living Knowledge Network is a UK-wide partnership between national and public libraries, of which Sheffield Libraries is a member. The event will be live streamed online, and will be available to watch within 48 hours on catch-up.

An Ocean Apart - Meet the author, Sarah Lee

Wednesday 19 October, 6.30pm, free
Carpenter Room, Sheffield Central Library
Book via Eventbrite

It's 1954 and, in Barbados, Ruby Haynes spots an advertisement for young women to train as nurses for the new National Health Service in Great Britain. Her sister, Connie, takes some persuading, but soon the sisters are on their way to a new country - and a whole new world of experiences.

Inspired by real life stories of the Windrush Generation and her mother's own experiences as a nurse coming to Britain from the Caribbean, Sarah Lee's debut novel An Ocean Apart is a must for fans of Call the Midwife.

Lord Mayor's Big Read podcast, with Otis Mensah

Released on Monday 24 October, free

Listen via Anchor or your preferred podcast platform

In our Lord Mayor's Big Read podcast series, we are chatting to well-known Sheffielders about their favourite reads. Tune in to this special Black History Month edition to hear from writer, performance artist and former Sheffield poet laureate Otis Mensah about the books and poems that have inspired him along the way.

Historical Fiction Writing: a workshop for people aged 18-25, with Yvonne Battle-Felton

Saturday 29 October, 1.30-3.30pm, free
Sheffield Central Library
Book via Eventbrite

Calling young writers aged 18-25! Join acclaimed author Yvonne Battle-Felton for a special Black History Month writing workshop. Take inspiration from the Harlem Renaissance, Juneteenth, rap battles and Windrush to develop your historical fiction writing ideas.

10 ways to use your library this summer

As a Sheffield Libraries member, you have free access to a wealth of facilities to help you connect with culture, creativity, knowledge, and each other.  Becoming a member is FREE.

1.  Stock up on holiday reading 

In these uncertain times, let us help you escape into a good book, or make sense of the world through reading.  You can borrow up to 15 printed books and five eBooks, free of charge for a minimum of three weeks.  From the latest bestseller to all the old classics.  

Download the library app and search the catalogue.

 

2.  Keep the kids entertained during long car journeys

The hugely popular eLibrary was discovered by thousands of new members during the recent national lockdowns.  Enjoy access to thousands of free audiobooks, eBooks, eComics, and eMagazines, either on your desktop or through our Libby app.  

3.  Try our school holiday activities 

We’ve got lots going on to keep the kids entertained.  Sign them up for Gadgeteers, the Summer Reading challenge 2022, and check out our programme of family activities taking place across libraries.

4.  Research your family history

We subscribe to a range of online reference tools on your behalf, meaning you can access high quality content and save money.  Visit the Local Studies Library for help researching your family tree, and use Ancestry UK without subscription at all our libraries.  

5.  Check out a board game 

Pass those long summer evenings with friends by trying one of modern board games.  Board gaming is a fun way to sharpen your thinking, and spend quality time with your family and friends away from a screen. You can now borrow board games from Sheffield Central Library, just like a book.

6.  Explore Sheffield through time and space

Visit Storytrails at Sheffield Central Library on the 27th and 28th July to discover a range of exciting augmented and virtual reality experiences for all the family to enjoy. Explore untold stories through a virtual map made up of 3D models and audio recordings of local community members.

7.  Start a reading group with friends

Whether it’s drink in the garden, or 30 minutes grabbed in the staff canteen; try our free reading group sets service and share your love of reading with others.

8.  Experience foreign food without leaving home

Our libraries stock a massive range of cookbooks covering diverse world cuisine, as well as all the most popular celebrity chefs and bakers.  Let us help you spice up mealtimes.

9.  Discover Graphic Novels

We have an extensive collection of graphic novels at Central Library and online in the eLibrary,  from popular superheroes to powerful and thought-provoking works of art.  Much of the collection is aimed at adults, so if you’ve never tried a graphic novel before, why not give them a try.  You might be surprised.

10.  Take the first step in starting your business

We support entrepreneurs, inventors, and small businesses from that first spark of inspiration to launching and developing a business.  Visit our Business and intellectual Property Centre webpages and discover more…

No Fines, No Worries!

Library fines have been scrapped!

Over at Sheffield Libraries, we’ve been helping local people connect with culture, learning, and each other since 1856.  Looking ahead, we know we have an important role to play in helping the city recover from the pandemic.  So, to pull down barriers and help as many Sheffielders as possible, we are delighted to announce that Sheffield Libraries is now fine free!

From now on we will not be charging anyone for returning their books late. We’ve never charged children, and the good news is, this now applies to all adults too.  Historic fees for late returns are also being removed, so if you have a book from before the pandemic, and were worried about paying old fines, just return it to a member of staff.   We’ll happily waive any fees that previously built up.

Of course, we still encourage you to return library materials on time or to renew them - other Sheffielders are waiting to use them, but we understand that sometimes life gets in the way. So from now on, you don’t need to worry about a daily fine. Just bring the books back as soon as you can.

No fines, no worries!

Reserving and renewing your books has never been easier

Back in February we launched the new Library App which is full of great user friendly features.  In the first few weeks, it was downloaded and used 6000 times by local people!

Download the app

Please note the self service feature is not currently available, but we're working on this and will be activating it soon!

New Year, New Queer

Liz Chapman (@lgbtlibrarian, Sheffield Libraries) and Zoey Dixon (@Zoey_Dixon, Lambeth Libraries) are back again with another bumper harvest of the best queer kidlit for your reading pleasure!

We have something for everyone, from picture books to Young Adult and from non-fiction to graphic novels. You can download a list of our 2022 reading recommendations here - featuring everything we covered in our LGBTQ+ History Month book chat, plus a few bonus titles that we couldn't squeeze in!

All the books are available to borrow (or very soon will be) from your local library. Be first in the queue and reserve your copy now via the Sheffield Libraries catalogue or Lambeth Libraries catalogue.

If you've enjoyed one of our recommendations, or have a favourite queer read that you'd like to share with us, please leave us a comment, or follow @SheffLibraries and @lamlibs and join the conversation on Twitter!

LGBTQ+ History Month at Sheffield Libraries

LGBTQ+ History Month is celebrated in the UK in February each year, to celebrate the lives and experiences of LGBTQ+ people. Once again we have an exciting programme of events lined up for you! Read on for more details.

Steel City Queer History film screening

Wednesday 9 February from 6.30pm, free
Delivered online through Zoom
Book through Eventbrite

Steel City Queer History have developed a podcast and walking tour film looking at Sheffield City Centre's hidden LGBTQ+ history. Join us on Zoom for a screening of the film which includes historic characters, lost venues, personal reminiscences, and a unicorn!

The film will be followed by a Q&A session with Suzie and Sandra from SCQH about the project.

New Queer Kidlit for the New Year

Premiering live online on Saturday 12 February at 11am, free

In partnership with Lambeth Libraries

Liz Chapman (Sheffield Libraries) and Zoey Dixon (Lambeth Libraries) are back with another bumper harvest of the best queer kidlit for your reading pleasure! We have something for everyone, from picture books to Young Adult, non-fiction to graphic novels. Join us for the premiere over on our Facebook page on Saturday 12 February at 11am, or catch up at your leisure on our YouTube channel afterwards.

Outrageous! The story of Section 28 with Paul Baker

Thursday 17 February from 7pm, free

Delivered online through Zoom
Book through Eventbrite

Hear author Paul Baker discuss his new book, Outrageous! The story of Section 28. This fascinating and important book tells the full story of Section 28: the background to the Act, how the press fanned the flames and what politicians said during debates, how protestors fought back, and its eventual legacy. 

LGBTQ+ Book Group

Wednesday 23 February from 6.30pm, free, 18 years +

Carpenter Room, Central Library
Book through Eventbrite

Join our queer librarians Liz and Suzie to share your favourite LGBTQ+ reads and find out about some of the new titles in our collections! Bring along a favourite book or poem to share with the group.

LGBTQ+ Listchallenges

We have not one but two listchallenges for you this year! Our New LGBTQ+ Writing Challenge for 2022 brings you the best new LGBTQ+ titles for all ages: children, teenagers and adults.
All the titles are available to borrow from Sheffield Libraries. Why not see how many you can read by the end of 2022?

As if that weren't enough, our Bi Books Challenge highlights a dazzling array of bi books from our collections. If purple is your preferred shade of prose, here's where to look.

All our previous listchallenges can be found here.