Literature at the Library

A year-round series of events about Literature for book lovers, including popular and contemporary literature, fiction, non-fiction and poetry.

What's on

  1. A cheeky green dragon with yellow eyes drawn by illustrator Chris Riddell on a purple background. The dragon is surrounded by smoke and stars.
    British Library, London

    Fairy Tales

    A family adventure through magical worlds and enchanted stories.

    More info
  2. Male and female students, in dark clothing and white shirts, are either seated at their school desk or queuing up to speak with the teacher by the blackboard.
    Free

    Summer Scholars Lunchtime Talks

    Using speculative and feminist storytelling to recover Indigenous women’s voices, plus US education and Native American identity.

    More info
  3. Head and shoulders photo of a woman wearing a decorative dress and small earrings.
    Free

    Summer Scholars Lunchtime Talks

    Rediscovering composer Gilda Ruta, and revealing the story behind objects sent to the UK from 1850s Northeast Brazil.

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  4. Head and shoulders sepia toned photo of a bearded man wearing a polo neck sweater, a blazer with a cord collar, and a hat.
    Free

    Summer Scholars Lunchtime Talks

    Edward S Curtis and his photographs of Native Americans, and North American Indigenous Language Lists.

    More info
  5. An illustration from a medieval manuscript showing a man writing on paper, with gold leaf around him.

    Illumination Masterclass

    Join renowned scribe and illuminator Patricia Lovett MBE on this one-day beginners masterclass and create your own medieval miniature on vellum.

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  6. Line drawings of two men playing musical instruments.
    Free

    Summer Scholars Lunchtime Talks

    The Montserrat Jumbie Dance, and the influence of Indigenous dance on American theatre makers.

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  7. Photo of John Berger

    John Berger: From Life

    The life and work of one of the great cultural figures of the last century.

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  8. The opening text of Beowulf
    Six-week course

    Online Course: Discovering Medieval Manuscripts

    Join us for this 6 week online course while we explore Medieval manuscripts and the stories they contain.

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  9. Photograph of Dame Barbara Cartland, wearing a pink dress with a small dog on her lag

    The Romantic World of Barbara Cartland

    Matthew Sweet talks to Shahidha Bari about the life and legacy of romance writer Dame Barbara Cartland.

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  10. image from cover of the Immortal Sisterhood by Gemma Cairney

    The Immortal Sisterhood LIVE

    Gemma Cairney and The Immortal Sisterhood Ensemble presents a unique music and performance celebration of remarkable women from across centuries and continents.

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  11. photo of writer and critic Jacqueline Rose

    PEN Pinter Prize 2026: Jacqueline Rose

    The annual prize in memory of Nobel-Laureate playwright Harold Pinter.

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  12. Read and Rave in Leeds Central Library. A crowd of people with party steamers and balloons.
    Free

    Public library events

    From author talks and children’s story-times to digital workshops and community activities, find out more from your local library service.

    More info