As part of the Yorkshire Evening Post’s Leeds Reads campaign, which aims to get the city once again immersed in books, the YEP were invited for an exclusive look behind the scenes at the Leeds Library’s historic collection of priceless books.
Founded in 1768, the Leeds Library on Commercial Street is the oldest surviving subscription library in the country, and it is now working with schools and colleges across the city to encourage youngsters back into reading.
One especially rare book in the collection is Mandeville Travels - dating back to 1483. Take a look behind the scenes...
7. Behind the scenes at the Leeds Library
The library's extraordinary team of volunteers work tirelessly to preserve history. | Gerard Binks
8. Behind the scenes at the Leeds Library
The priceless collection of books have to be cleaned by hand - one page at a time. | Gerard Binks
9. Behind the scenes at the Leeds Library
Pictured - illustration in one of the library's rare books. | Gerard Binks
10. Behind the scenes at the Leeds Library
The Leeds Library houses many rare and unique editions, some even dating back to before the library’s foundation in 1768. | Gerard Binks
11. 1st April 2026 The Leeds Library feature. Pictured Mandeville Travels in the Holyland a rare book in the collection dating back to 1483 at Leeds Library. Picture Gerard Binks
One especially rare book in the Leeds Library's collection is Mandeville Travels - dating back to 1483. | Gerard Binks
12. Behind the scenes at the Leeds Library
Pictured Ian Harker in The Main Room at the Leeds Library. | Gerard Binks