HistoryHistory
This image shows the Leeds Library in Commercial Street in 1948.
Copyright Leeds Library and Information Service
Why has the Leeds Library survived? The main reason was the building in 1808 of premises in Commercial Street. The shops incorporated under the first-floor library provided an income in addition to the subscriptions. Also, Commercial Street was for a long time the most fashionable street in Leeds ensuring high rents from the library’s shops. It was also fashionable during the second half of the 19th century to belong to the Leeds Library. However, reduced income and popularity meant many years of financial difficulty during the 20th century during which important books had to be sold from time to time to keep the library open. Financial stability and renewed interest in the library since the early 1980s have allowed a period of growth in stock and members and improvements in staffing, building and conservation programmes.
