New Garforth Library and One Stop Centre

Thank you

2011-07-26T14:26:00.000+01:00

Thanks to everyone who has been involved in the Garforth Library Big Lottery Project!

This blog will no longer be updated but information about what is going on in Garforth Library, and other libraries in Leeds, can be found here:

www.leeds.gov.uk/libraries

facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/leedslibraries

twitter:

http://twitter.com/#!/leedslibraries

Anthony Clavane - "Promised Land" - Weds 3rd November, 6pm

2010-10-13T13:14:00.000+01:00

Free tickets are now available at Garforth Library for this upcoming event! Anthony Clavane's book has received rave reviews:

"With Promised Land, Anthony Clavane has delivered an absorbing, compelling and very personal history, and dissection, of Leeds, the city and the club. Brilliant." David Peace, author of The Damned Utd

"An original, passionate, thought-provoking and hugely enjoyable account of the highs and lows of Leeds United" Patrick Barclay, The Times

Halloween Creatures!!!

2010-10-08T15:19:00.001+01:00

Not for the faint-hearted!!!

What's in a Name? - Monday 18th October

2010-09-21T13:13:00.000+01:00

A free & fascinating local history talk by David Thornton!

Prehistoric Adventures - Dinosaur Drawings

2010-08-26T16:10:00.006+01:00

Joe (aka Dr Rock) from Leeds Museums led a "Prehistoric Adventures" session this week, which over 50 children attended! After Joe's fascinating talk about dinosaurs, fossils and prehistoric life, there was the opportunity to draw or colour your own dinosuar. Some of the colourful results are shown below!

Gillian Rogerson - Thursday 26th August, 1:30pm, Garforth Library

2010-08-25T11:27:00.000+01:00

Meet fabulous children's author Gillian Rogerson, and listen to "You Can't Eat a Princess" - as featured on Cbeebies!! - on Thursday 26th August, 1:30 - 2:30pm, at Garforth Library!!

Plus "You Can't Eat a Princess" colouring and craft activities from 11:00am with the Space Hop Crew!!!

Creative writing at the Garforth Arts Festival - "One Minute Wonders"

2010-08-23T12:21:00.004+01:00

At the Garforth Arts Festival last month professional dramatist Joe Standerline led a creative writing workshop from an unusual venue - the Garforth Library promotional trailer:

Young people had a short amount of time to plan key elements of plot & characters before delivering their stories to Joe in the space of one minute!

The results were fantastic given the circumstances, and both Joe and staff from Garforth Library were staggered at the imagination shown by the young people.

Samuel, an 11 year old, even managed to write down his short story, which he has titled "Non-Ordinary":

"Non-Ordinary"

Samuel is an ordinary kid in an ordinary town. Life is great in Brakenberry but all is not as it seems...

"Hello, I'm Dick Danes and astonishingly all adults have fallen asleep".

Samuel knows he can stop this by getting all the kids in the world to slap the adults. On his way he stumbles into a warehouse and meets Dick Danes (evil reporter). Dick throws Samuel into a big vat of blood.

Whilst Samuel struggles to get out the kids have been slapping the adults in a period of 2 days. "5, 4, 3, yes we've done it". Samuel goes to Dick's water base and throws him into the sea. He finds a girl locked up so he rescues her and she kisses him.

The End

Space Hop Events every week through the Summer at Garforth Library!

2010-08-11T13:47:00.000+01:00

To celebrate this year's Summer Reading Challenge - "Space Hop" - a different event is taking place every week at Garforth Library, led by "The Space Hop Crew"!

The dates for the events are as follows:

Thursday 12th August, 11am - 1pm
Tuesday 17th August, 11am - 1pm
Thursday 26th August, 11am - 1pm
Tuesday 31st August, 11am - 1pm

This week you'll get the chance to design an Alien Mask!!

Your New Garforth Library & One Stop Centre - project film

2010-08-11T13:38:00.000+01:00

This is the film we made during 2009/2010 to document the construction of the new building and other aspects of the Garforth Big Lottery project.

Thanks to everyone who was involved in the making of this film!

Jungle Creatures & Prehistoric Adventures

2010-07-26T13:10:00.002+01:00

Leeds Museums & Galleries are holding two exciting FREE events for kids in Garforth Library this August!!

"Jungle Creatures" (4th August):

and "Prehistoric Adventures" (25th August):

Local History Event - "The Spirit of Lotherton" - Monday 26th July

2010-07-19T10:16:00.000+01:00

Peter Robinson - Garforth Library, 12th August - Tickets now available!!

2010-07-14T16:50:00.000+01:00

Tickets are now available for the Peter Robinson event, taking place at Garforth Library, Thursday 12th August, 7pm.

Peter Robinson will be reading from his books, answering questions and signing his latest novel.

Tickets are FREE and are ONLY AVAILABLE FROM THE GARFORTH BOOKSHOP.

Get your ticket now to avoid disappointment - they'll go really quickly!!!

Doctor Who Day - Saturday 17th July

2010-06-22T10:59:00.000+01:00

FREE Comedy Event for Teenagers!!!

2010-06-22T10:29:00.000+01:00

Exams are over, the Summer Holidays are about to start, why not enjoy an evening of comedy with standup Julian Daniel!!

Thursday 15th July, 5:30 - 6:30, get your FREE TICKET ASAP from the Garforth Library counter!

It's G.R.E.A.T at Garforth Library - Young People's Steering Group

2010-06-18T10:46:00.000+01:00

If you're aged 11 - 19 you can help Garforth Library meet the needs of people your age by being part of the Young People's Steering Group. Leave your contact details at the Library counter, or email me at: cleverbp01@leedslearning.net. Thanks, Ben (Marketing & Development Librarian).

World Cup Quiz - the answers...

2010-06-18T10:23:00.002+01:00

Thanks to everyone who did the quiz!! The correct answers are highlighted in red.

How many teams will compete in this year’s World Cup?

a) 24
b) 32
c) 40

The Taeguk Warriors are the nick name of which country's team?

a) Korea Republic
b) Japan
c) Scotland

In which country was the last World Cup held?

a) Germany
b) France
c) Italy

What injury ruled David Beckham out of England’s World Cup Squad?

a) Torn achilles tendon
b) Broken finger
c) Bruised ribs

How many World Cup tournaments have England played in?

a) 11 (actually 12 including this one!!)
b) 13
c) 15

Which new rule is being introduced at the 2010 World Cup?

a) No yellow cards
b) No stopping before kicking a penalty
c) No goal celebrations

Who won the 1986 World Cup?

a) Germany
b) Italy
c) Argentina

When was the first World Cup held?

a) 1930
b) 1950
c) 1956

Who are the only team to have played in every World Cup?

a) Italy
b) Brazil
c) Uruguay

What was the name of the dog who found the World Cup in 1966 after it had been stolen?

a) Patches
b) Billy
c) Pickles

Why did India withdraw from the 1950 World Cup?

a) Because FIFA wouldn't allow them to play barefoot
b) because FIFA wouldn't allow them to play in trousers
c) because they couldn't afford to travel to Brazil

What type of animal was World Cup Willie, the mascot for the 1966 World Cup?

a) Dog
b) Lion
c) Bird

Local History Talk - Monday 7th June

2010-05-25T22:19:00.000+01:00

Smashing Skulls - 1st June, 2pm, Garforth Library

2010-05-14T10:05:00.000+01:00

"Things that go BUMP in the Library" - 2nd June, 2pm, Garforth Library

2010-05-11T11:29:00.007+01:00

Andrew Newbound - author of Demon Strike - hosts this fun event which will include ghostly story-telling and the chance to write your own spooky story! Andrew will also read extracts from his latest book.

Event suitable for 8years +.

Get your free ticket from the Garforth Library Counter to guarantee your place!!

New Start Garforth Event - free refreshments! - Tuesday 23rd March, 2pm - 6:30pm

2010-03-18T13:37:00.000Z

New Start Garforth is the event to attend for expert advice, ideas and practical support about changing careers, starting a business, volunteering, new skills, and money advice!

The event is entirely free, including refreshments from the Baraka cafe.

Tuesday 23rd March, 2pm - 6:30pm, Garforth Library & One Stop Centre.

For more information call 0113 247 6016 or visit www.leeds.gov.uk/newstartgarforth

Children's Author Steve Hartley coming to Garforth Library at Easter!

2010-03-16T14:55:00.000Z

Gervase Phinn coming to Garforth Library!

2010-03-16T14:48:00.003Z

New Garforth Library opens with a bang!!!

2010-03-07T22:06:00.000Z

The new Garforth Library opened with a bang in February with a series of hugely successful events.

Award winning children's author and illustrator Nick Sharratt kicked off the proceedings at the Big Family Fun Day on February 14th with over 100 children taking part in his crazy workshop. Nick is shown here receiving a box of chocolates from Lucy, a big fan of his books:

Events continued through half term including a local history talk from Adam White of Lotherton Hall, a DJ skills workshop for teenagers, family history sessions, and events by Mills & Boon author Susan Stephens, fantasy writer Adrian Tchaikovsky, and crime writer Zoe Sharp.

The children's events continued to draw the biggest crowds. 132 kids attended the Lion Learners storytime with real animals & creepy crawlies...

...and 153 kids attending the puppet show and puppet-making workshop:

Thanks to everyone who helped to make the opening weeks such a success!!!

Zoe Sharp - Thursday 25th February - Garforth Library

2010-02-22T16:42:00.000Z

Please note that Sophie Hannah has withdrawn from the event at Garforth Library. But we are very proud to announce that...

Top crime writer Zoe Sharp will now be appearing on

Thursday 25th February,

7pm - 8pm, Garforth Library.

The following quote is from the Chicago Tribune:

Male and female crime fiction readers alike will find Sharp's writing style addictively readable − one of the very best crime fiction sagas out there.

Anyone who thinks contemporary crime fiction is a genre driven by testosterone-crazed protagonists − and writers for that matter − obviously hasn't read Zoë Sharp or any of her novels featuring former British Army Special Forces soldier turned bodyguard Charlotte "Charlie" Fox. Ill-tempered, aggressive and borderline psychotic, Fox is also compassionate, introspective and highly principled: arguably one of the most enigmatic − and coolest − heroines in contemporary genre fiction.

Zoe Sharp

Thursday 25th February

7pm - 8pm

Garforth Library

Not Long Now!!! Library & One Stop about to open!!!

2010-01-25T10:00:00.017Z

The New Garforth Library & One Stop Centre will open its doors to the public on Thursday 11th February, but the fun will really start at our...

BIG Family Fun Day

Sunday 14th February
11am - 3pm

Nick Sharratt

The award-winning children's author and illustrator (including many of Jacqueline Wilson's books) will be leading a workshop, 11:30am - 1pm.

Plus - special tours of the building, green treasure hunt, live music and more...

other events...

Monday 15th February, 6pm
Local History Talk by Adam White, Curator at Lotherton Hall

Tuesday 16th February, 10:30am
Lion Learners
Children's storytime with real animals and creepy crawlies!

Wednesday 17th February, 3:30pm
DJ Skills Workshop

Thursday 18th February, 10:30am
Puppet Show & Puppet Making Workshop

Thursday 18th February, 6pm
Writing workshop with best-selling Mills & Boon author Susan Stephens

Friday 19th February, 10:30am
Library Storytime

Saturday 20th February, 11am
Fantasy author Adrian Tchaikovsky
Reading from his new novel, plus Q & A session and book signing

Thursday 25th February, 7pm
Sophie Hannah, best-selling crime writer

Tree O'Clock - Saturday December 5th

2009-12-30T13:24:00.003Z

As part of National Tree Week, and to contribute to the "Tree O'Clock" World Record Attempt, on Saturday December 5th members of Garforth in Bloom planted a tree outside the new building. The tree is a prunus cerasifera.

To be eligible for the record attempt - which was to plant the most trees in the space of one hour and was taking place throughout the UK - the tree had to be planted between 11:00 and 12:00 on Saturday 5th. The BBC estimate that as many as 500,000 trees were planted throughout the country in the space of this hour.

Thank you Garforth in Bloom!!!

Up on the roof...

2009-10-29T15:04:00.006Z

Today I braved vertigo to get these photos, showing some of the interesting Green Technology that has been installed on the roof of the new Garforth Library & One Stop Centre:

This solar panel will heat water for the building.

These sun pipes amplify the sun's rays providing natural light for the first floor of the building. You can see Sedum scattered on the soil around the pipes.

The Sedum roof will eventually look more like this. Apparently it will even have pink and white flowers! And it does need to be weeded during the first year...

It's always sunny in Garforth...

2009-09-29T10:39:00.002+01:00

...well maybe not, but on Friday 25th September it was almost too sunny to take a photo of the new building. I'm glad I got one in the end though, as you can see the sign is now up and the tiling is underway. The solar panels for heating the building's water, and the air source heat pump, are now up on the roof as well.

Spectacular Sunflower!

2009-09-22T10:38:00.003+01:00

Earlier in the Summer we gave out sunflower seeds to promote the new Library & One Stop Centre. Pauline's sunflower is now over six feet tall! Can anyone beat that?!

Windows now fitted...

2009-08-11T12:12:00.001+01:00

Building transformed!

2009-07-31T13:56:00.005+01:00

This photo was taken this morning. As you can see the tired old brickwork has now been rendered, transforming the appearance of the building!

Garforth Arts Festival

2009-07-31T13:38:00.006+01:00

Young people ran a stall to promote the new Garforth Library & One Stop Centre at the Garforth Arts Festival on Saturday 11th July:

As well as promoting the new Library & One Stop Centre they passed on their art skills by encouraging other young people to decorate pieces of fabric that were strung up in front of our promotional trailer (no they're not pairs of underpants!).

Hundreds of people visited the stall throughout the afternoon, and more than 40 young people decorated fabric.

Young Artists!

2009-07-31T12:15:00.020+01:00

Leeds Library & Information Service and the Youth Service have been working in partnership to provide a series of art sessions for teenagers who previously used Garforth Library and/or wanted to get more involved in this Big Lottery project.

The sessions have been led by the artist Mel St Clair. The young people got to try out various art techniques and each completed an individual canvas that will be displayed in the new library when it reopens, but you can get a sneak preview here!

Thanks to Stephen, Nick, Katie, Jared, Joe, Emma, Matt, Shannon and Lucas for all your hard work, and special thanks to Mel for leading the sessions!

First Steering Group Meeting a Success!

2009-07-31T11:55:00.004+01:00

The first Steering Group meeting for this project took place on 7th July. Representatives had been invited from all the focus groups and it was great to see a real cross-section of the community in attendance - of all ages & from all walks of life.

Attendees were updated on the progress of the project and we began to look at how we can make the ideas that have been suggested in focus groups a reality.

The next Steering Group meeting will be taking place in early September.

Photographs along the Lines Way

2009-07-06T09:38:00.007+01:00

Thanks to Jacqueline Simpson for sending in these beautiful photographs, taken along the Lines Way - the disused railway line that runs from Allerton Bywater to Garforth. Click on a photo to enlarge it...

First Steering Group Meeting

2009-06-29T16:17:00.002+01:00

The first meeting of the Garforth Big Lottery Project Steering Group will be taking place on Tuesday 7th July.

The purpose of these Steering Group meetings is to enable representatives from the community to get more involved in this project, to harness the skills and enthusiasm of local people, and to make ideas gathered through the consultation & focus group process a reality in the new building.

If you are interested in getting involved please contact Ben Cleverley on (0113) 3952354.

Focus Group - Thursday 18th June

2009-06-05T12:43:00.002+01:00

A "mop up" Focus Group for those who haven't been able to make previous groups is taking place on Thursday 18th June at 6:00 in the Garforth One Stop Centre.

If you are interested in attending please contact Ben Cleverley on (0113) 3952354.

Art Sessions

2009-05-28T16:30:00.006+01:00

Teenagers involved in the Garforth Big Lottery Project will be taking part in a series of messy & creative Art Sessions at Garforth Community College, starting next week!

The young people will learn new art techniques and create work to be displayed in the new library.

They will then have the opportunity to demonstrate their new skills - & pass them on to others - at the Garforth Arts Festival on Saturday 11th July!

Focus Group Update

2009-05-05T13:13:00.002+01:00

Thank you to the following groups who have taken part in Focus Group Consultation on the sorts of events, activities & services they would like to see in the new Garforth Library & One Stop Centre:

Daniel Yorath House (Brain Rehabilitation Trust service users).
NET (Neighbourhood Elders Team).
Older People.
Pre-school parents.
Primary school (adults with a specialism/interest in this area).
Garforth Community College Student Council (teenagers).
Teenagers who used GYFT Youth Facility in Garforth Library.
Locals with an interest in the voluntary/community sector.
Local businesses.
Miss Lambert's Year 10 Class (Garforth Community College).

Other Focus Groups will continue to meet throughout the year, and the discussions have led to some really useful ideas!

Focus Group participants are now being offered the opportunity to sit on the Project Steering Group. For further details please contact Ben Cleverley on (0113) 3952354.

Extension taking shape...

2009-03-27T15:13:00.004Z

Here's a photo taken this morning, the steel frame for the extension has now been erected:

"GYFT" sessions for teenagers...

2009-03-09T16:30:00.003Z

Leeds Library & Information Service, in partnership with the Youth Service, are hosting sessions in Garforth Community College to involve young people in this project. The sessions will be similar to the GYFT sessions for teenagers that used to be held in the Library, but each session will have a particular focus.

You'll be helping to make a film about the project, giving us ideas about services & activities etc. you'd like to see in the new building, and there will also be time to use the computers and have fun.

The next session will take place on Wednesday 18th March, 2:30 - 5:00, in the Sixth form well area of the College.

"Turning of the Sod" Ceremony

2009-02-10T11:46:00.008Z

A "Turning of the sod" ceremony was held on Wednesday 4th February to officially recognise the start of construction work for the new Garforth Library and One Stop Centre.

Special thanks to Councillor Procter, Focus Group members, and students from Garforth Community College who came along to the ceremony.

Focus Groups Up and Running

2009-02-03T16:51:00.002Z

The first focus groups for this project have now taken place. Thanks to NET (Neighbourhood Elders Team) and Daniel Yorath House (Brain Rehabilitation Trust) for the warm welcome you gave us. Both groups came up with fantastic ideas for events & services for the new building, and some of these ideas will now be fed into the project.

Temporary Garforth Library in One Stop Centre

2009-01-09T16:22:00.002Z

The temporary Garforth Library is now up and running in the Garforth One Stop Centre (directly across the road from the library building). It's "cosy", but amazing how many books have been crammed into a small space. The opening hours are as follows:

10:00 - 19:00 Monday
09:00 - 17:00 Tuesday
09:00 - 13:00 Wednesday
09:00 - 19:00 Thursday
09:00 - 17:00 Friday
09:00 - 16:00 Saturday

Images of the New Library & One Stop Centre

2008-11-26T13:28:00.005Z

Library Closure & Temporary Arrangements in One Stop Centre

2008-11-14T12:20:00.006Z

The scale of this construction project means that the current library building will need to close at the end of this year, and the building will not reopen until early 2010.

We want to continue to meet the needs of our customers during this time by providing a temporary library service.

From early 2009 we will be operating a small library service from the ground floor of the Garforth One Stop Centre, directly across the road from the current library.

We will need to empty the current building during December in time for construction work to begin in January, and so services will be "winding down" during this time.

The library opening hours for December 2008, and from early 2009 in the One Stop Centre, will be as follows:

Monday: 10:00 - 7:00
Tuesday: 9:00 - 5:00
Wednesday: 9:00 - 1:00
Thursday: 9:00 - 7:00
Friday: 9:00 - 5:00
Saturday: 9:00 - 4:00

Focus Groups

2008-10-24T15:37:00.002+01:00

If you would like to get more involved in the Garforth Library Big Lottery Project, have your say, and possibly influence the services, events and activities that are provided in the new building, then why not join one of our focus groups?

The first focus group meetings will be taking place in January. For further details give Ben a ring on (0113) 395-2354.

Garforth Library in 1969 - Photos by Stuart Clark

2008-10-24T14:56:00.005+01:00

Thanks for letting us use your photos Stuart!

Frequently Asked Questions

2008-10-20T14:34:00.006+01:00

The A-Z list below shows the most popular matters that have arisen as a result of the ongoing consultation with the community:

Accessibility features in new building:
o Lift.
o Ramp.
o Automatic doors.
o Downstairs disabled toilets & meeting room.

Bikes:
o There will be a bike rack outside the new building.

Books:
o There will definitely not be fewer books in the new library.
o The new library will feature a good proportion of new stock, this will be purchased next year.
o We are currently investigating ways in which the public could be more involved in influencing the stock we purchase.

Coffee/Drink/Food:
o Coffee, drinks & possibly some food will be provided in the “comfortable reading area” upstairs.
o This will be a small operation, not a full-blown café.

Comfortable seating area:
o A reading area featuring comfortable seating and tables will be located upstairs.
o Coffee will be served in this area.

Computers:
o There will definitely not be fewer computers in the new library.
o New computers will be bought especially for the new library.

Events:
o We are keen to hold more & improved events e.g. author events, kids events etc. in the new library.
o A great way to influence what type of events you’d like to see in the new library is to sign up to one of our focus groups. Contact Ben at (0113) 3952354 for further details.

Green Technology:
o The new library will feature:
o A living sedum roof.
o Air source heat pump to warm the building.
o Solar panels to heat water for the building.

Lighting:
o The new building will feature improved natural lighting from bigger windows and sun pipes.
o Artificial lighting will also be improved.

Meeting Room:
o The new meeting room will be downstairs and have tea/coffee facilities.
o It will be accessible outside library hours.
o There will be a booking system, but this will be determined nearer the time of the reopening.
o The new room will be smaller than the present meeting room. Larger groups will need to book a time-slot in the Young People’s area. Exactly how this arrangement will work will be determined nearer the time of the reopening.

Opening Hours:
o We are aware that the current opening hours are unsatisfactory and confusing.
o Consultation delivered nearer to the time of the library’s reopening will determine the new opening hours.

Parking:
o Parking facilities will be the same as for the present building.
o We are aware that some customers feel the parking facilities are unsatisfactory, however it was not possible to improve these facilities on the present site.

Pedestrian Crossing:
o We are aware that some customers feel strongly that a pedestrian crossing is required across Church Lane.
o Libraries have investigated this matter with Leeds City Council’s Highways Department who have said that this is not possible.
o Members of the public who wish to take this further should contact the Highways Dept, their helpline number is: 0845 124 0113.

Toilets (public):
o There will be 2 downstairs toilets with disabled facilities, and baby change facilities, for the public to use.

Young People’s Area:
o The new library will feature a young people’s area.
o It will contain new computers & an interactive whiteboard.
o It will be divided from the rest of the library by a soundproof glass wall.

A Successful Event

2008-10-17T10:15:00.011+01:00

A successful Community Engagement Event took place at Garforth Library on September 25th. A first session was held at 2:00, and the session was repeated at 6:00. Staff from Leeds Library & Information Service, the Garforth One Stop Centre, and Leeds City Credit Union all gave presentations. These presentations were followed by a question and answer session.

Attendees were certainly not afraid to ask questions and have their views heard!

The event had been advertised locally, and special invitations were sent to local community groups and to individuals who had previously expressed an interest in being consulted about the project.

Staff were pleased with the attendance, speaking to more than 60 people from a wide variety of backgrounds and age-groups throughout the day. 43 people signed up to be members of focus groups.

Event on 25th September

2008-09-17T12:39:00.004+01:00

We want to provide a Library Service that reflects the needs of the community. On Thursday 25th September there will be an opportunity at Garforth Library for you to:

Learn more about the project.
Ask questions and give feedback.
Sign up to join a focus group if you want to become more involved.

The first session begins at 2:00, and the same session will be repeated at 6:00.

Refreshments will be available.

Everyone is welcome!

Your New Garforth Library

2008-08-11T15:43:00.001+01:00

Welcome to the blog for "Your New Garforth Library"! The aim of this blog is to keep you updated on the progress of the project.

Leeds Library & Information Service have been awarded £1.4 million from the BIG Lottery Community Libraries Fund to develop an exciting new Library & One Stop Centre for Garforth. The current Library building will be extended and redesigned, allowing for the Library, One Stop Centre and Credit Union to be housed under one roof.

The new building will feature green technology such as solar panels to heat water, and a “living” sedum roof that will be energy efficient and encourage wildlife.

The building will feature a lift, a ramp, downstairs meeting room and downstairs toilets for improved accessibility.

Facilities for young people will be improved, and a new learning suite will provide better IT facilities for the whole community and enable us to deliver new learning sessions.

There will also be a "comfortable" area in which you will be able to relax, read a book and enjoy a coffee.

Construction will start in January 2009 and should be completed within the year.