Harrogate Library

SCHOOL DAYS IN HARROGATE
We have a handful of tickets left to hear Paul Jennings talk about Harrogate schools in the past. The talk ties in with the launch of Paul's new book.

🗓 Wednesday 17th June 2026
🕑 2pm

FREE tickets can be booked here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/school-days-tickets-1983893554025?aff=oddtdtcreator

OXFORD DICTIONARY OF NATIONAL BIOGRAPHY - FREE ACCESS WITH YOUR LIBRARY CARD

Over 60,000 biographies, 72 million words, 11,000 portraits of significant, influential or notorious figures who have shaped British history.

Access this resource, and many others here: https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/leisure-tourism-and-culture/libraries/online-resources-available-your-library

There's still some spaces available on Lego Club this week.

Running from 10am-11am on a Saturday morning, it's a great opportunity to come along and take part in some challenges and fun builds.

Suitable for children aged 4+, you can book a FREE space for your child here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/harrogate-library-lego-club-tickets-1700738989099?aff=oddtdtcreator

For more information, please get in touch:
📧[email protected]

Last week, we marked Volunteers' Week, with a volunteer get-together - a great opportunity for some of our large team of volunteers to meet each other and share stories, whilst enjoying cake and coffee!
We currently have more than 60 volunteers doing a range of roles. These include general volunteering on the library floor, to 121 IT sessions including help with Blue Badge and Bus Pass applications, story times, local history, English conversation and much more. Without their support and dedication, we wouldn't be able to provide all the services we do to our customers. So we just wanted to say a MASSIVE thank you to you all!

Did you know the Duke of Wellington has a connection to Cold Bath Road? 🧐 What about the mysterious Masonic circles on Belford Road, the white plaque featuring a tankard at 7 Market Place and the decorative squares in a car park just off Raglan Street?

We had an absolutely fascinating afternoon uncovering Harrogate's hidden history with the brilliant Michael Goodliffe. If you’ve ever walked past these local landmarks and wondered why they are there, we got the answers today. Missed out? Don't worry! Michael will be back in the autumn for Hidden Harrogate Part 2.

Have you spotted any hidden gems around town? Let us know in the comments and Michael might be able to include your discovery in his next talk.👇

Hi-Vis Fortnight – Help Spread the Word! 📢👀
Every hour, someone in the UK loses their sight. Currently, around 2 million individuals are living with sight loss, and projections indicate that this number could potentially double by 2050. Therefore, it’s crucial to reach out to those in the community who could benefit from the diverse content and activities offered by libraries 📚💛
As we celebrate the National Year of Reading 2026,
it’s time to Go All In! 🎉📖
Reading is known to broaden horizons, sharpen intellects, and ignite creativity ✨🧠 However, many of us are not dedicating enough time to it. Could you assist in connecting a friend or family member experiencing sight loss to the transformative power of reading through the library’s accessible resources?
Whether it’s large print books, audiobooks on CD, or our extensive selection of digital audiobooks and ebooks, everyone deserves to experience the joy of books 📖🎧💙
👀 🎉 📚

There's just ONE month to go until we launch the Summer Reading Challenge 2026, "Read to the Beat"

Children aged 4-11 years will be able to sign up from Saturday 4th July. By reading SIX books over the summer holidays they will be able to claim stickers, prizes and a medal.

Keep an eye out in the branch and on Facebook for more details!

A big THANK YOU to our wonderful Tuesday afternoon craft group for crocheting all these beautiful flowers for one of our displays! 🧶🌸📚 What a perfect combination—books, flowers, and crochet.

Looking for a unique summer gift? Our library shop is now selling these beautiful book vases! They look perfect on any bookshelf:

▪️ Small Vases: £7
▪️Large Vases: £9

Pop in and grab yours today—they are only available while stocks last! ✨

Join us for an afternoon of local history next Wednesday 📚🎓🍎

We still have a few places left for historian Paul Jennings' fascinating talk on Wednesday 3rd June from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Paul will guide us through the evolving landscape of private schools for boys in Harrogate. You will learn about the earliest institutions, how education shifted over the decades before being brought up to the present day. Much of the talk draws on his recently published book, Schools and Schooldays in Nineteenth-Century Harrogate.

Whether you are a history buff, a former pupil, or just curious about Harrogate's past, this is a talk you won't want to miss.

Book your FREE place here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1983893503875?aff=oddtdtcreator

Families had a fantastic time joining Adult Learning at Harrogate Library yesterday for a Family Fun in half term session!

Using the classic tale Jack and the Beanstalk, adults used simple and engaging ways to support their children’s learning through play. Together, families explored creativity, practised recalling the story sequence, and built language skills through discussion and imaginative activities.

They also learnt how everyday play can strengthen confidence, communication, and early literacy skills at home. To continue the learning beyond the session, each family planted their own beans in magical pots—encouraging children to care for their plants, observe changes, and keep the story alive in a hands-on way. 🌱

If you enjoyed this session, there are lots more opportunities to get involved!
Alongside our Family Fun activities running during the holidays (next up - Summer Fun!), there’s a wide range of other courses available for adults too—covering everything from arts and crafts and wellbeing to digital skills, employability, English and maths, and more.

Take a look and find something for you or your family here:
👉 https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/explore-adult-learning-courses
A wonderful way to learn, play, and grow together as a family!