Hull Libraries

@hulllibraries.bsky.social

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We’ve got everything, and the books! Anyone can use our libraries, whatever your age. We've 11 libraries across the city that provide a fantastic range of activities https://www.hulllibraries.co.uk/

A display of book covers featuring Elsie Silver, surrounding a drawing of a pair of cowboy boots wearing a stetson hat.
An image advertising Summer Activities for children. "Get ready to crank up the volume on fun because we have a jam-packed summer line-up waiting for you! Rock out at our music sessions, get messy in clay workshops, explore fascinating science lessons, and so much more! https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/childrens-summer-activities-2026-4417173
An image of our Big Malarkey crew outside the Big Top tent for the traditional end of festival photograph.
An image of children playing at the festival in 2025! The Big Malarkey Festival Saturday 20 + Sunday 21 June / 10am - 5pm Malarkey Park, East Park, Hull It's the 9th Big Malarkey Festival AND The National Year of Reading and we're getting very excited to welcome everybody back to Malarkey Park!This year’s festival will open on Monday 15 June with the James Reckitt Reading Conference, followed by an action-packed week of activities for schools, including the James Reckitt Hull Children’s Book Awards. The family friendly festival weekend takes place on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 June and the theme this year is ‘It’s a Mystery!’ We’ll be filling the park with puzzles, collecting clues, dressing up in disguises and exploring some of the best mysteries in the city. There’ll be lots of fabulous authors, illustrators, dancers, musicians, artists and theatre companies to enjoy including: Michelle Robinson, Steve Webb, Sharna Jackson, Joseph Elliott, Liz Million, Mariesa Dulak, Kev F Sutherland, Fleur Hitchcock, Circo Rum Ba Ba, Pauline Quirk Academy, Paul Cookson, Ben Rothery - and so many more! As well as free books for everyone to take home from the Hook-a-Book stall! Check out the festival programme and start planning your very own Big Malarkey Mystery! Tickets are on sale from Monday 1 June at 12pm and are available to buy online or from all branches of Hull Libraries https://thebigmalarkeyfestival.com/.
An image of children playing at the festival in 2025! The Big Malarkey Festival Saturday 20 + Sunday 21 June / 10am - 5pm Malarkey Park, East Park, Hull It's the 9th Big Malarkey Festival AND The National Year of Reading and we're getting very excited to welcome everybody back to Malarkey Park! This year’s festival will open on Monday 15 June with the James Reckitt Reading Conference, followed by an action-packed week of activities for schools, including the James Reckitt Hull Children’s Book Awards. The family friendly festival weekend takes place on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 June and the theme this year is ‘It’s a Mystery!’ We’ll be filling the park with puzzles, collecting clues, dressing up in disguises and exploring some of the best mysteries in the city. There’ll be lots of fabulous authors, illustrators, dancers, musicians, artists and theatre companies to enjoy including: Michelle Robinson, Steve Webb, Sharna Jackson, Joseph Elliott, Liz Million, Mariesa Dulak, Kev F Sutherland, Fleur Hitchcock, Circo Rum Ba Ba, Pauline Quirk Academy, Paul Cookson, Ben Rothery - and so many more! As well as free books for everyone to take home from the Hook-a-Book stall! Check out the festival programme and start planning your very own Big Malarkey Mystery! Tickets are on sale from Monday 1 June at 12pm and are available to buy online or from all branches of Hull Libraries https://thebigmalarkeyfestival.com/.
Training ship Southampton being towed for breaking up in 1912
Pictures of Chris Brookmyre and the cover of his latest book and text as follows: Hull Noir and Hull Libraries present Chris Brookmyre Quite Ugly One Evening by Chris Brookmyre Wednesday 20 May 7pm Hull Central Library + livestreamed to an online audience An Atlantic voyage. A family at war. A secret worth killing over. Reporter Jack Parlabane thrives on chasing stories in unlikely places, and where could be less likely than a fan convention on a cruise liner celebrating a contentious Sixties TV series? But unlike the media family exploiting their show's renewed relevance, he's not there to stoke controversy: he’s there to solve a murder. And that's not even the tricky part. No, the tricky part is definitely the dead body locked in a cabin with him, covered in his blood.
The front cover of Classic Nigerian Cookbook by Laura Edet A lovely story from one of our librarians! "Had a brilliant email enquiry at work today. A Nigerian living in Ontario is doing a history of jollof rice and wanted a particular recipe that had been torn out of the book they owned. It was out of print so they couldn't replace it. A Google search took them to WorldCat (yes, there IS a world catalogue of library stock) and it turned out we had a copy in one of our stacks. So within an hour of asking, they were sent a scan of the two missing pages. Their book is now complete and Hull Libraries is going to be credited in the research. So little old Hull has helped someone all the way over in Canada. It certainly put a smile on my face. Libraries are amazing!"
An image of a box containing spine labels on a desk, with a computer mouse for size reference. The box is 11cm square
A picture of Hull Central Library in the spring sunshine
A photo of the garden at Western Library taken in the sunshine yesterday. It shows the pathway through the garden lined with shrubs in full leaf after the winter and in the background the blossom covering the domed pergola.
Image of "Join the Reading Hour this World Book Night" 7-8pm 23 April
An image featuring a long-haired musician with a guitar slung over their shoulder to publicise Folk Library Creations Thursday 30 April, 2 - 7pm / Hull Central Library / FREE Folk Library Creations is a brand new project putting together creative exhibitions and music experiences in libraries. Our inaugural event consists of an art exhibition running from 2pm, where you can see the spirit and craft of local art and meet the artists behind it all. Then later at 5:30pm, acoustic music starts. These are no microphone performances that hope to capture the traditional folk atmosphere and bring the community closer to the words of the performers. Come and be part of a new creative scene!
Raising Her Voice: Women Building Careers in Music Hull Central Library Thursday, May 28 • 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM This event is for anyone interested in music, creative careers, freelancing or self-employment within the creative industries. Raising Her Voice is a powerful masterclass celebrating women who have built sustainable, successful careers in the music industry, often by carving their own paths, combining creativity with entrepreneurship. Delivered through Hull Libraries BIPC, this event is for anyone interested in music, creative careers, freelancing, self‑employment, or business growth within the creative industries. Whether you’re an aspiring artist, freelancer, entrepreneur, student, or simply curious about how creative careers really work behind the scenes, this event offers honest insight, inspiration and practical learning. Hosted by Sarah Shiels – Learning Development Manager, Hull Culture & Leisure, Director, The New Adelphi Club CIC, Musician, Hull Music Board with keynote speakers -Sally Currie CEO, Drake Music, Stephanie Halsey Freelance Harpist, RCM trained touring musician & freelance harpist, Jenni Harrison, Creative Director, marketing strategist and founder of the house of Pink + Red and Rose Barker, Director, Polar Bear Music Club, journalist and designer Panel Discussion: Real Talk on Music Careers The event closes with a 30‑minute panel discussion, hosted by Sarah Shiels, bringing all speakers together to reflect on: Building careers outside traditional routes Self‑employment, leadership, and business growth Barriers women face in music and how to navigate them The realities of creative work, finance, and sustainability Advice for anyone starting or pivoting a career in music Audience questions are encouraged/welcome.
A poster for the Hull Noir event at Central Library on Wednesday 22nd April. It shows a portrait of Sarah and the cover of "The Drowning Place" Livestream tickets available here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hull-noir-sarah-hilary-livestream-tickets-1985144671150
Statue of a man leaning and looking towards the sea, standing on a high pole. In the pavement around the sculpture the cardinal points of the compass are indicated, as well as a sign to "VIK ICELAND 1534 KM."
A picture of a rather dilapidated copy of "The picture of Dorian Gray" There is visible water damage to the cover and the plastic cover is yellowing. Obviously, not evident from the picture but there is a truly foul musty smell emanating from it!
Image of Moonchild Sanelly. She is a South African musician and dancer. She is known for her signature blue-coloured hair and her self-created music genre called 'Future ghetto funk'. Not to be missed!
An image announcing that Hull Libraries are regional and country winners for our ‘One Hull of a Read’ project in the #BritishBookAwards Library of the Year - North England category. Top left is the British Book Awards logo which is a fountain pen nib. Top right is the logo of Dorling Kindersley who sponsor the awards. Inset is an image of four children sitting, in a row, on a settee reading.
An image of the inside of a jail, there are high windows along one side and a row of iron barred cells along the other. There are the hands of a convict visible protruding through the bars. Overlaid is an image of a convict dressed in a blue prison uniform, and images of butterflies. We Roar is an award-winning exhibition of artwork and poetry by 40 people in 20 UK & US prisons and was the first ever creative exhibition to tour ten prisons and the Ann Arbor Art Fair (USA). We Roar’s extraordinary works are now touring UK libraries, funded by Arts Council England. The artworks and poems remind us to ask critical questions, not least about social equality, privatised governance and personal freedom.
An image including a still from the film and images of Natalie Marlow and Nick Triplow Hull Noir and Hull Libraries present... DOUBLE INDEMNITY Saturday 11 April 6.30pm for a 7pm start Hull Central Library Tickets: £5 DOUBLE INDEMNITY (1944). Insurance salesman Walter Neff (Fred MacMurray) is seduced into murder and fraud by Barbara Stanwyck’s ultimate femme fatale, Phyllis Dietrichson, in Billy Wilder’s classic dark thriller, adapted and scripted by Wilder and Raymond Chandler from the novel by James M. Cain. For this special screening, crime novelist and noir aficionado Natalie Marlow (Needless Alley, The Red Hollow) joins writer, Nick Triplow, to talk about the film, the original novel, its journey to the screen and how it helped to define the noir stylings of the 1940s and 50s.
Two mad March hares playing in a field!
An image announcing our nominations: Library of the Year Finalists We are utterly delighted to be nominated - not once, but twice - in the British Book Awards Library of the Year - North England category! Congrats to the team at Waudby Library and to Hull Schools' Library Service for their One Hull of a Read project. Winners will be announced on Thursday 12 March. Keep your fingers crossed for us!
Image of Moonchild Sanelly. She is a South African musician and dancer. She is known for her signature blue-coloured hair and her self-created music genre called 'Future ghetto funk'. Not to be missed!
A display of books themed around romance and other, more platonic relationships. The shelf talkers say "Fall in love with a good book" The display was curated and created by Lois at Ings Library
A poster for the next Mini Malarkey Festival Saturday 21 February / 10 - 3:30pm / Hull Central Library Don't miss our fabulous FREE family festival with lots of your favourites from The Big Malarkey Festival including: Rooted in Hull / The Herd / Makerspace / INIT Creative / Squarepeg / Make it Take it / Lego Club / Hook a Book / Storytime / Little Movers / Hull Museums / Business and Intellectual Property Team / Authors - Donna David, Jason Beresford, Bethany Walker ... and so much more! We'll have various areas inside the library for you to explore and enjoy.
An image of the cover of "Bored Gay Werewolf" by Tony Santorella. It features a werewolf, (presumably the eponymous one) with an angry expression, sharp teeth and a definite snarl.
A poster for the Hull Noir event on January 21st at Hull Central Library when Tariq Ashkanani will talk about his new thriller with writer and Hull Noir co-founder, Nick Quantrill. It has a picture of Tariq and a cover image of The Night Watcher Livestream tickets available here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hull-noir-tariq-ashkanani-livestream-tickets-1977493988753
A picture of a snowy landscape
An image of the cover of "We Have Always Been Here" by Samra Habib
A stock image of a Bonfire Night firework display
A photo of Spike, a particularly handsome black cat, looking somewhat mournfully, at the the camera.
Pictures of Juno Dawson, Samantha Shannon, Tash Suri and TJ Klune. Following the acclaimed recent British Library exhibition Fantasy; Realms of Imagination, we return to glorious, mysterious and fantastical worlds through a queer lens at this evening with some of our most exceptional authors. On a rare visit to the UK, we welcome TJ Klune, author of the worldwide celebrated The Bones Beneath My Skin, The House in the Cerulean Sea and Somewhere Beyond the Sea and many others, alongside Tasha Suri, introducing her brand new The Isle in the Silver Sea, and novelist and writer Juno Dawson, creator of bestselling fantasy series Her Majesty’s Royal Coven. They are in conversation with the million copy bestselling author of The Bone Season and The Roots of Chaos series, Samantha Shannon.
A poster for Albertine Sarges at Hull Central Library Sunday 9th November, doors at 2.30pm. Albertine is sitting on a stool, wearing a striped blue and white jumper and partially hidden behind a blue ostrich feather. She has mid-length brown hair swept away from her face. Albertine Sarges joins us with ‘Girl Missing’ the highly anticipated follow-up to her acclaimed 2021 debut, ‘The Sticky Fingers’. The Hull Central Library gig (previous shows inc Black Country, New Road, Mattiel, BC Camplight and Sunflower Bean amongst many others) will be an intimate afternoon show showcasing the new album that releases this Friday. The album explores sisterhood, resilience, and healing from grief while embracing warmth and hope for the future.👧💨 A personal concoction of songs formed in industrial Berlin via coastal Margate, the album is eclectic yet deeply personal. ‘Girl Missing’ blends indie rock, blues, art pop, and 1970s influences with Albertine’s agile vocals. Alongside long time collaborator Lo Selbo, she shapes intricate soundscapes with airy flutes, layered choirs, and vintage organs to create warmth and vulnerability. With The Clash dubbing the albums titular single ‘girl missing’ as a “zesty dose of indie-pop energy, complete with string section.” Fans and newcomers alike are in for a treat as she plays an intimate show at Hull Central Library ahead of her European tour.
A stock Autumnal image showing a number of trees with golden leaves. The ground around them is covered with a carpet of leaves of golden brown.
A word cloud of terms relating to library jobs
A generic image of people listening to a fascinating talk.
A visit to the James Reckitt reading room in Hull's Central Library with a talk by Paul Schofield - A History of Hull's Library Service at 10.30 on 13th September. Hull Central Library, designed by James S Gibson of London, opened in 1901. The James Reckitt Reading Room, more recently known as the Local Studies Library, was the original Reference Library. It features “beautiful fittings of mahogany inlaid with various colours and expensive woods”. Now home to the Art & Music Stacks, it also houses the Hull Libraries Quaker Collection, some of which date back to the 17th century, and the Napoleon Collection, originally purchased from Mr John Wilson Smith, a wholesale herring dealer in 1958. Items from both collections will be on display.
The last page of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley with the following words added by an unknown author in ballpoint pen: As he drifted away I could just make out his final words. "It's OK if you just call me Frankenstein instead of Frankenstein's monster, I really don't mind." The end.
A woodland scene, pictured as the leaves are beginning to fall and the foliage is changing colour.
Author Peter Bently talking about his book Shocktapus Octopus to a mostly appreciative audience of young children and parents
A picture of Piers Brosnan, Helen Mirren and Ben Kingsley screenshotted from the livestream of the Thursday Murder Club event from the British Library
The cover of "The witch at the end of the lane" It depicts a woman, who may or not be the witch in question, (we don't know, we haven't read the book yet). She is waring a large hat and holding a musket.
3 young children dancing at The Big Malarkey
A picture of a smiling Josie Moon. She has long grey hair, is wearing tortoise-shell spectacles and a red jumper
A picture of Richard Osman with Chris Columbus and members of the cast of the film. Join us for a special evening celebrating The Thursday Murder Club from page to screen. Step into the world of Richard Osman’s beloved, bestselling novel, which follows four irrepressible retirees whose casual sleuthing takes a thrilling turn when they find themselves with a real whodunit on their hands. Discover how this much-loved tale has been brought to life in the forthcoming film adaptation, releasing globally on Netflix on Thursday, 28th August. The film, directed by Chris Columbus (Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone) and with a screenplay by Katy Brand and Suzanne Heathcote, features an extraordinary cast including Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley and Celia Imrie to name just a few. This is a live screening direct from the British Library.
A poster for Children's Summer Activities and the Summer Reading Challenge
A picture of Sarah holding a copy of her book "We live here now" in front of our fabulous book cabinets
The cover of a children's book by Lily Murray and Jenny Lovlie called "The dress with 100 pockets" It shows a girl wearing a blue dress with, we assume, 100 pockets, although all of them are not visible. Those that are contain animals, cakes, a teapot, and a frog. She is carrying an umbrella and following a small dog, wearing a red beret and a blue jacket, along a path though a forest.
Pop in and bag a bargain at our big bumper book sale at Hull Central Library. Books for children and adults - fiction, non-fiction and music available from 50p! OPENING HOURS: SAT 12 JULY // 10:00AM - 4:00PM MON 14 JULY // 9:30AM - 5:00PM TUE 15 JULY // 9:30AM - 5:00PM WED 16 JULY // 1:00PM - 7:30PM THU 17 JULY // 9:30AM - 7:30PM FRI 18 JULY // 9:30AM - 1:00PM SAT 19 JULY // 10:00AM - 4:00PM
The cover of "The girl from the sea" - A dark haired girl is leaning over the edge of a rockpool, touching hands with a blonde haired girl (possibly a mermaid) under the water
The words Adults Lego Lounge created from bricks of different colours.
A poster for Children's Summer Activities and the Summer Reading Challenge: The holidays will soon be here and we've got a jam-packed programme of events lined up! Join us for a summer full of fun in libraries across Hull - here's a taster of what to expect. Tickets are FREE and will be on sale from Monday 7 July. You can also take part in the 'Story Garden' Summer Reading Challenge and grow your imagination! Just visit your local library from Saturday 19 July until 20 September and ask to sign up - a librarian will give you a special collector folder when you start your Challenge.
A picture of all our fantastic staff, lined up and waving at the camera in front of a huge blue and white Big Top marquee at the end of seven fantastic days at The Big Malarkey festival.
A picture of a young boy playfully dismantling a straw bale at last year's festival. His picture is surrounded by text - the festival theme What if?, The Big Malarkey logo, the festival dates 28-29 June and Tickets on sale 1st June.
A stock image of people listening to a talk.
A picture of a young boy playfully dismantling a straw bale at last year's festival. His picture is surrounded by text - the festival theme What if?, The Big Malarkey logo, the festival dates 28-29 June and Tickets on sale 1st June.
A stock image of young children singing.
A drawing of a selection of gardening tools arranged on a yellow background behind a banner proclaiming "The Great Gardening Day." There are logos from Living Knowledge Network, British Library, Unearthed and Hull Libraries in the 4 corners
An image of a bird sitting atop a street light. We're not experts with bird breeds but it it is small, brown and looking over its shoulder at something. Photo credit - Matthew Morgan