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...
13. 1st April 2026 The Leeds Library feature. Pictured Ian Harker in The Main Room at Leeds Library. Picture Gerard Binks
Ian Harker wants to bring the Leeds Library back into the public consciousness, while encouraging the next generation away from digital devices. | Gerard Binks
14. 1st April 2026 The Leeds Library feature. Pictured The New Room at Leeds Library. Picture Gerard Binks
In 2022, the library began work on the most significant transformation in its 258 year history. | Gerard Binks
15. Behind the scenes at the Leeds Library
The library has seen memberships, which start from £15 a month, rise to record levels of over 1,000. | Gerard Binks
16. Behind the scenes at the Leeds Library
The rarely seen basement level at the Leeds Library includes a mountain of books - with work ongoing to preserve many more. | YEP