the leeds librARY
founded 1768
Background
Founded in 1768 as a proprietary subscription library, the Leeds Library is a cultural and architectural gem in the heart of Leeds city centre and is now the oldest surviving example of this sort of library in the British Isles. It became a charity on 1 July 2008.
Building
Grade II* listed 1808 Greek Revival building by Thomas Johnson with major 1880-81 extension to the rear by Thomas Ambler. In 2022, the Library acquired premises next door to its historic home in a project to unite its collection under one roof and create a new centre for culture and the arts.
Collection
There is a wide-ranging modern lending collection of books, magazines and audio/visual items to which about 1500 additions are made each year mostly by Member recommendation. An historic collection of over 140,000 books is particularly strong in travel, biography, history and literature. There are also long runs of periodicals, popular novels and children's books and special collections of Civil War pamphlets and Reformation Tracts.
Contact information
18 Commercial Street, Leeds LS1 6AL
tel: 01132 453 071 / email: enquiries@theleedslibrary.org.uk
Open Monday-Wednesday 10:00-18:00; Thursday 10:00-19.00; Friday 10:00-17.00; Saturday 10:00-16:00
Annual Subscription (2021):
Individual (£132) : for indidividuals aged 26 years and over
Household £198) : for any number of adults and children under 18 living at the same address
Concessionary (£66) : for full-time students over the age of 18, young people between the ages of 16 and 25, and individuals aged 26 and over in receipt of Universal Credit or Pension Credit
Remote (£88) : full access to all digital services; limited postal borrowing
Access (£66) : full access to the Library building but no borrowing rights
Gift Membership is available for all of our subscription categories
Corporate - details on application
Researchers are very welcome to visit us by prior appointment. We require two forms of ID, one of which must include a home address.
Website
www.theleedslibrary.org.uk
Status
Charitable company no. 1114386
Registered company number: 05577905