Free tour of The Leeds Library

The Leeds Library is delighted to offer free tours giving you a behind-the-scenes look at one of the city’s oldest-surviving buildings and its treasure-trove of rare books.

The Leeds Library is the oldest-surviving members’ subscription library in the UK. Founded in 1768, the Library moved to Commercial Street in 1808, and many original features remain in this much-loved home.

From the Georgian splendour of the Main Room, with its Victorian sunlight burners, to the labyrinthine basement deep under the streets of Leeds, there is an unexpected treasure around every corner. And you never know, you may even meet the Library’s ghost…
Booking via Eventbrite is essential. The library will also be open to the public on 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th September for short, self-guided tours between 10am and 4pm.

A note about accessibility – Unfortunately, our Grade II* listed building is not currently fully accessible. We have a stair lift from the ground floor foyer to the first floor but are unable to install a through-floor lift due to the building’s historic status. Please email us on [email protected] if you have any questions around access, and we will do everything that we can to accommodate you.
The Leeds Library is committed to making its building and collections accessible to everyone in our current capital building works project The Next Chapter Project. https://www.theleedslibrary.org.uk/expansion/

Timings & Tours

Wednesday 11 September:

Tour 1300

Thursday 12 September:

Tour 1300

Friday 13 September:

Tour 1300

Saturday 14 September:

Tour 1300

Location & directions

18 Commercial Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6AL

Directions:

The entrance to the library can be found next door to the Co-op Bank on Commercial Street.

Contact on day:

Ian Harker

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking required

Booking conditions:

Booking via Eventbrite is essential.

Booking contact name:

Ian Harker

Booking telephone number:

+447949784617

Booking email:

[email protected]

Booking website:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-leeds-library-12296752918

Booking opens:

08 Aug 2024 12:00 AM

Booking closes:

15 Sep 2024 12:00 AM

Accessibility details

Unfortunately, our Grade II* listed building is not currently fully accessible. We have a stair lift from the ground floor foyer to the first floor but are unable to install a through-floor lift due to the building’s historic status. Please email us on [email protected] if you have any questions around access, and we will do everything that we can to accommodate you. The Leeds Library is committed to making its building and collections accessible to everyone in our current capital building works project The Next Chapter Project. https://www.theleedslibrary.org.uk/expansion/

Additional information

Max no of people per tour:

15

Est. tour duration:

1 hour(s)

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