Central Library

View opening hours, contact details and access information for Central Library.

Venue
location
Address

Central Library
Municipal Buildings, Calverley Street
Leeds
LS1 3AB
United Kingdom

Opening hours

Monday 9am to 8pm
Tuesday 9am to 8pm
Wednesday 9am to 8pm
Thursday 9am to 8pm
Friday 9am to 5pm
Saturday 10am to 4pm
Sunday Closed

Available services

You can come in and browse and:

  • collect, renew or return a book
  • use our computers
  • Visit the Tiled Hall Cafe

Find information on other services available in the community hub.

Specialist services

Music library
The Music library will be closed to the public until late 2024 as we carry out refurbishment work.
General music stock will be inaccessible until works are completed. You can still access all online music resources like Medici and Naxos.
Performance sets will continue to be available as normal, and we will let you know where to collect and drop off your orders when you book your appointment.  

The Business and IP Centre and the Local and Family History library are open along with the following specialist departments:

Information and research

Reference and research resources and services are located on the second floor of the Central library. 

There are over 250,000 books, journals and newspapers. Particular strengths include history, literature and historical biography, law and rights, with many of the books available for loan.

Resources include: 

  • online resources
  • reference books
  • newspapers and journals
  • Census
  • law and citizens' rights
  • legislation
  • special collections
  • statistics

Staff can carry out research on your behalf, though charges may apply.

external link

Contact us

Email: localandfamilyhistory@leeds.gov.uk 
Phone: 0113 378 6982

The Arts Floor

The Arts Floor is on the 1st floor of Central Library and includes the Music and Performing Arts library, the Art library, Studio12 and the exhibition space.

The library holds a specialist book stock of over 10,000 items and has a wide range of resources to support study for individuals and groups in music, art and performance.  

Contact us

Art library: artlibrary@leeds.gov.uk 

Music and performing arts library: musiclibrary@leeds.gov.uk 

Studio 12: studio12@leeds.gov.uk 

Events

Come along to events in libraries for family fun, learning and culture.

Browse events at Central library.

Facilities

Facilities at the Central Library include:

  • baby change units
  • disabled access toilet
  • public toilets
  • free WiFi
  • free computer access with MS Office and internet
  • printing and photocopying

Access information

Bus routes

For information about local bus routes, please visit WY Metro external link.

Parking

There is no public car park. There are limited on street parking spaces available for Blue Badge holders only.

Entrances

You can enter the library from Victoria Gardens and Calverley Street. Wheelchair/pushchair access is through the Victoria Gardens basement entrance or the Art Gallery.

Lifts

Lift available to all floors.

Assistive technology

A range of assistive technology hardware and software is available for use on the public computers, including:

  • screen magnifiers
  • large keyboards, mouse and trackballs

Disabled toilets

Accessible toilets are located in the basement of the library. 

Support dogs

All support dogs are welcome

Contact us

Email

leeds.libraries@leeds.gov.uk

Phone

0113 378 5005

Social media

X: @LeedsLibraries
Facebook: Leeds Libraries
Instagram: leedslibraries