Unpicking assumptions in Victorian adventure stories  One of the most popular late nineteenth fictional forms was the adventure story, often set in the wilds of empire. In the words of Elaine Showalter, these were training manuals: ‘little boys who read become men who rule.’ In these talks we will explore with the explorers—in novels and […]

The Northern 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 evening in front of the silver screen.

The Northern 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 evening in front of the silver screen.

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 […]

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 […]

This illustrated talk will explore how the Leeds Library was mobilised during the Second World War. Dr Henry Irving from Leeds Beckett University will explain how the library became a nerve centre for fire watching during the Leeds Blitz. He will be joined by two students who have researched the library’s wartime archive and contributed […]

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 independent members’ subscription library in the UK. Founded in 1768, the library moved to Commercial Street in 1808, and many original features […]

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 independent members’ subscription library in the UK. Founded in 1768, the library moved to Commercial Street in 1808, and many original features […]