About this Event
As part of Heritage Open Days, 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 is essential. The library will 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/
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
The Leeds Library, 18 Commercial Street, Leeds, United Kingdom