Have you ever walked past The Leeds Library on Commercial Street and wanted to find out more about our beautiful building and collection?

Then book a free tour!

The Leeds Library is the oldest surviving members’ subscription library in the UK. Founded in 1768, the library moved to its current purpose-built premises on Commercial Street in 1808, and many original features remain in this much loved building.

From the Georgian splendour of the Main Room, with its Victorian sunlight burners, to the labyrinthian basement deep under Commercial Street, there is an unexpected treasure around every corner. You never know, you may even meet the Library’s ghost…

In 2025 we extended the Library into the adjoining property. This has enabled us to add new spaces for events and meetings as well as installing a lift, making our Library, for the first time in it’s history, fully accessible.