Leeds was a lively place in this period with regular dances for the elite at the Assembly Rooms, horse racing meetings on Chapeltown Moor, cricket matches, athletics, gambling and boxing matches all being a feature of the social calendar. This lecture illustrates the extraordinary lengths the middling sort went to in order to enjoy themselves. […]

Atoms, Ambitions, and Anxiety: How Iran Became the World’s Nuclear Question. Iran’s nuclear programme is the product of a long and contested history. It began in the 1950s under the Shah with Western assistance and was framed as a civilian energy project. After the 1979 revolution, however, mistrust deepened between Iran and the West. Undeclared […]

Books and Bubbles Librarian's tour of The Leeds Library: Exclusive, in-depth tours of the library and its treasures with one of our librarians and a glass of fizz* Take the opportunity for a behind-the-scenes tour of the oldest surviving subscription library in the country. You’ll be guided by one of our librarians, and invited to […]

Have you ever walked past The Leeds Library on Commercial Street and wanted to find out more about our beautiful building and its 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 […]

The Fairy Tale Season Please note that due to licensing restrictions, you must be a member of the Leeds Library to attend this screening, and we are not able to advertise details of the film publicly beforehand. Join fellow Members of the Library for an afternoon in front of the silver screen.  

Are you feeling competitive? Try your knowledge at our annual Members' Quiz! There are prizes to be won for your team.

Books and Bubbles Librarian's tour of The Leeds Library: Exclusive, in-depth tours of the library and its treasures with one of our librarians and a glass of fizz* Take the opportunity for a behind-the-scenes tour of the oldest surviving subscription library in the country. You’ll be guided by one of our librarians, and invited to […]

Join us for another screening at the Leeds Library Anime Film Club. Film details are advertised in-house at the library. Please be aware that you need to be a library member to attend.