The Leeds Library's Next Chapter project

Help us secure the future of The Leeds Library.

We are fundraising for the final phase of the Next Chapter project; an ambitious expansion into premises adjoining our historic home on Commercial Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire.

Our vision is to be a thriving creative hub for the people of Leeds and beyond, providing a space for the production, study, and enjoyment of all forms of creativity.

Completion of the project will make the Leeds Library fully-accessible for the first time with the addition of a through-floor lift; unite our collection under one roof; and create new spaces for members, live culture events, and educational and community visits.

The oldest independent subscription library in the UK, the Leeds Library's home on Commercial Street dates to 1808, a rare example of a Georgian library. Our ever-growing collection has been based on the recommendations of members since our foundation in 1768, an inheritance spanning the generations that includes rare and unique treasures.