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The Leeds Library

Creative Tourist
Courtesy of Visit Leeds

The Leeds Library is a wonderful mix of the old and the new located at the very heart of a busy shopping centre, and the country’s oldest subscription library of its type.

It was founded in 1768 as a proprietary subscription library and is now the oldest surviving example of this sort of library in the British Isles. It boasts Joseph Priestley (1733-1804) as one of its original subscribers. The collections are particularly rich in travel, topography, biography, history and literature. There are long runs of periodicals, popular novels, children’s books and Civil War pamphlets and Reformation Tracts. About 1,500 new books and audio/visual items are added every year most of which are recommended by Library Members. A large proportion of the Library’s holdings is available for loan to Members. The Library became a charity on 1 July 2008.

In 2018, The Leeds Library celebrated its 250th year with a year-long programme of events, a three-day academic conference that attracted delegates and speakers from all over the world, and the publication of a commemorative book.

18 Commercial StreetLeedsLS1 6AL View map
Telephone: 01132453071 Visit Now

Opening Hours

  • Monday10:00am - 6:00pm
  • Tuesday10:00am - 6:00pm
  • Wednesday10:00am - 6:00pm
  • Thursday10:00am - 7:00pm
  • Friday10:00am - 5:00pm
  • Saturday10:00am - 4:00pm

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

What's on near The Leeds Library

Image by Tonje Thilesen, courtesy of Chromatic.
MusicLeeds
Baths at Headrow House

Baths brings his fourth record, Gut, to Headrow House this May, marking his first gig in Leeds in seven years.

from £16.00
A black woman sat down looking to the left.
Until
MusicLeeds
Sound Out Leeds 2024/25

Leeds International Concert Season is on a mission to push boundaries, expand horizons, and ask the question: ‘What haven’t we heard?’ as it presents its city-spanning Sound Out Leeds series.

from £10.00
the artist
MusicLeeds
Anika at Brudenell Social Cub

Anika is about to drop her heaviest and angriest record to date, making her show at Brudenell Social Club an exciting prospect.

from £17.00
See all events

Where to go near The Leeds Library

Leeds
Shop
Artsmix

Artsmix is a arts and crafts market in the centre of Leeds that has been supporting the creativity of artists and designers for more than a decade. T

Flat Iron Leeds
Manchester
Restaurant
Flat Iron Manchester

Relaxed restaurant in the centre of Manchester, serving impressively high-quality steaks at an affordable price point.

Flat Iron Leeds
Leeds
Restaurant
Flat Iron Leeds

Relaxed restaurant in Leeds serving impressively high-quality steaks at an affordable price point.

Cinemas in Leeds Everyman Leeds
Leeds
Everyman Leeds

Located in Trinity Leeds, expect comfy seating, posh snacks and an experience altogether more luxurious than your average multiplex.

Olive and Rye Leeds
Leeds
Restaurant
Olive & Rye

Olive & Rye is a restaurant deli in Queen’s Arcade, Leeds, specialising in top-class sandwiches.

Leeds Farmers Market
Leeds
Shop
Leeds Farmer’s Markets

Leeds Farmer’s Market is a food market featuring the best local produce in Yorkshire. Whether it’s game or farmed foods, its shoppers can be certain of freshness and quality.

iStock
Leeds
Shop
Waterstones Leeds

Standing proudly on the busy shopping hub of Albion Street, Waterstones Leeds is a bookshop that also hosts a variety of events

OK Comics Leeds
Leeds
Shop
OK Comics

OK Comics is Leeds’ leading comic book shop, with everything from classic items to obscurities. Their modest shop is designed with ease of use in mind.

Marriot Leeds
Leeds
Hotel
Marriott Hotel Leeds

Marriott Hotel is a contemporary hotel in the city centre of Leeds. It boasts the largest indoor swimming pool in Leeds, a well-equipped fitness centre, and a sauna.

See all places

Culture Guides

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Cinema in the North

Vintage Alfred Hitchcock and a family friendly film festival are amongst our highlights this May.

Image by Jonathan Schofield.
Tours and Activities in the North

We've got many a good time in store this month as we round up the best walking tours, cultural classes and makers markets in the land.

Sextile
Music in the North

The outsiders, the oddities and the outrageous – we’re keeping it weird with a hot new batch of underground gigs about to hit Manchester, Leeds, and Liverpool.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

Dynamic dance, party-performance, high-energy stand-up and a site-specific show set in a pub. All this and more in our newest theatre guide.

A large sphere floats in a dark room with an ornate wall pattern, flanked by two arched windows and a checkered floor.
Exhibitions in the North

From precarious ceramics to photography festivals, spring is here and brings with it a breath of fresh air in visual art and exhibitions.

Okechukwu Nzelu
Literature Events in the North

If it's inspiring, inclusive events and avant-garde, experimental afternoons you're after, look no further than live literature this spring – we've got you covered.