Sheffield Libraries, Archives & Information

13/05/2026

Did you know that we have a regular schedule of planned late openings, to support essential staff training?

Don't get caught out - check your library's opening times before you travel. Simply visit https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/libraries-archives/using-our-libraries/our-libraries and select ‘Planned late openings’.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

13/05/2026

We still have some places left for our Game Night in the Library next Wednesday! Join us for an evening of strategy, fun, and meeting new friends.

This week we will be playing Bärenpark, Bargain Quest, Point Salad and No Thanks!

Sheffield Central Library, Wednesday 20 May, 5pm-7.30pm. Suitable for ages 18+

Book your free place via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1988617938787?aff=oddtdtcreator

12/05/2026

Pupils from Stocksbridge High School were thrilled to receive copies of the shortlisted books for the Sheffield Children's Book Award!

All schools who subscribe to our Schools Library Service are eligible to participate in the award. Find out more about subscribing here: https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/libraries-archives/schools-library-service

12/05/2026

Wednesday 20 May will mark 120 years since Hillsborough Library opened!

We will have displays of archive photos available to view throughout the week. On 20 May we will also have quizzes for adults and children, a competition to design a birthday card for the library, and a guest book in which you can write your memories of the library.

Please do drop in and celebrate with us!

Images:
1. Young readers outside Hillsborough Junior Library, c.1930
2. A talk at Hillsborough Junior Library for Children's National Book Week, 1930s
3. Child jumping from window of Hillsborough Library during demonstration (please don't try this at home, folks!), January 1946
4. Hillsborough Junior Library, July 1967

Copies of all images are available from https://picturesheffield.com

11/05/2026

Over the next couple of weeks we're going to be showcasing the shortlisted books for each category in the Sheffield Children's Book Award!

First up is the Baby Book category, for our very smallest readers.

The shortlisted titles are:
Touch and Feel Construction by Sasha Morton and illustrated by Adam Howling. Published by Boxer Books.
Animal Actions: Stomp Like an Elephant by Guilherme Karsten, published by Nosy Crow
Ada's Rainy Day by Daishu Ma, published by Walker Books

Every library has a set of the shortlisted books - pick up your copies now and vote for your favourite! Voting link in bio.

08/05/2026

A final book recommendation from Charlie to end the week!

Charlie's third recommendation is: Jillian by Halle Butler.

Charlie says: "Jillian is the funniest, yet saddest depiction of working life that you will ever read. This book observes the interactions between Jillian, a grotesquely optimistic & chirpy receptionist, and Megan, her relentlessly pessimistic colleague. You will despise every single character in this book... almost as much as you love them."

08/05/2026

We are blown away by Charlotte's beautiful design!

It was a joy to work on this project with Sheffield DocFest to mark Sir David Attenborough's 100th birthday!

🎂 Happy 100th Birthday, Sir David Attenborough - winning birthday card revealed!

📣 In partnership with Sheffield Libraries, Archives & Information, we invited young artists across South Yorkshire to design a birthday card to mark Sir David's incredible milestone - and you absolutely delivered!

We then asked filmmaker, climate activist and National Geographic Explorer Alice Aedy to undertake the wonderful task of selecting 10 finalists and one overall winner from all of your beautiful entries.

🏆 We are now delighted to reveal our winner! A HUGE congratulations to Charlotte, age 13, from Doncaster!

Here's what Alice had to say about Charlotte's design:
"Charlotte's work stopped me in my tracks. It's the gift that keeps on giving. My eye keeps returning to it to discover new layers and details, and what makes me smile is that it puts Sir David exactly where I imagine he would love to be, not on a pedestal, surrounded by the living world, equal to all the animal species he has spent his life trying to protect."

And on judging the competition: "Most likely… the best job I've ever had?? (I’m) Overwhelmed with the quality and creativity of the submissions - and tributes to Sir David."

Keep your eyes peeled as we reveal the full top ten birthday cards very soon!

🎟️ Charlotte and our 10 finalists have all won a pair of tickets to events in Sheffield DocFest 2026’s brand new GEN DocFest children & family programme, and Charlotte's winning design will be presented at the festival itself!

Thank you to every young artist who entered 🌿🎨🦁

Happy 100th Birthday Sir David Attenborough!

06/05/2026

Another day, another book recommendation from Charlie!

Charlie's second recommendation is: Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart

Charlie says: "Set in working-class Glasgow, Young Mungo is a heartbreaking, powerful coming-of-age novel about a young man who finds himself grappling a q***r identity in a homophobic society with a complex family dynamic. This book is definitely not for the faint of heart, but I would highly recommend to anyone looking to explore q***r literature with astonishing prose."

06/05/2026

Ecclesall Library is closed today, Wednesday 6 May, while essential repairs are carried out.

We are so sorry for any convenience caused.