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Other Websites

Here are some other websites you might want to look at:

 

Books by the Beach

An annual literature festival, taking place in various venues across Scarborough. In 2023, the festival will take place on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th June.


Mrs Lofthouse's Book Emporium

A second-hand book shop that I used to go to quite a bit, in the days when I visited Scarborough regularly. I never came away empty handed. Much more satisfying than buying books from ebay. The address is  2 Queen St, Scarborough YO11 1HA (near Boyes).


Scarborough Library (North Yorkshire County Council)

The website itself isn't too exciting, but you can use it to check opening times and see what activities are taking place. There is also a link to join the library (if you haven't already) and there is a link to the online catalogue (which is exciting). As with all of NYCC libraries, once you join one, you have access to all of them. If you're visiting Scarborough for the day, and you live somewhere else in North Yorkshire, then why not browse the shelves? Any books you borrow can be returned at your nearest NYCC library. 

I used to enjoy regular visits to Scarborough Library. In my teens, these tended to be focused on the rather excellent CD and DVD collections, but being around all those books did increase my interest in reading. Whilst a career as a librarian would come almost a decade after finishing school and moving away, I'm sure that my time in Scarborough Library influenced my decision to apply for graduate trainee library positions in my mid-twenties. 

On the first floor of the library is the concert hall which is used occasionally for special events. It was the original home of the Stephen Joseph Theatre and known as The Library Theatre. Details of the history can be found on Alan Ayckbourn's website.

 

Sci-Fi Scarborough

An annual event run by fans for fans. It is described as "a whole weekend Unconventional Convention". 

 

Stephen Joseph Theatre

Scarborough's finest theatre. If you're arriving by train, this fantastic building will be the first that you see after exiting the station. Richard Hawley liked it so much that he used a photograph of the entrance for his album Coles Corner. Find out what's on and how the SJT are supporting new writing by visiting their website.


Valley Press

An independent publishing house based in Scarborough.

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