Leeds City Library

Is it right for my child?

• Babies and under fives: on 12 November 2026 the Story & Rhyme listing ran from 8 June to 23 December 2026. It named Central Library, the building’s old name, on Mondays at 1.30pm to 2.30pm, and “Central” on Thursdays at 10.30am to 11.30am. Sessions are free for under fives and their grown-ups, and you just turn up.
• Book lovers: the council says the library service is free to join from birth. A child’s card lets them borrow up to 20 books.
• Children’s library: the library page says the Children’s Library has moved to the ground floor. A new artist-designed space for children aged 0 to 11 and their families is due to open in early 2027.
• Coders aged 7 to 11: Code Club at City Library is listed from 31 October to 12 December 2026. Its page gives no times, so ask the library.
• Teenagers: Teen Makers and Coders is for ages 13 to 16 in Studio12, listed from 14 November to 12 December 2026.
• Curious minds: the first-floor corridor holds the Leeds Tapestry, with 16 panels.
• The building: Visit Leeds says the Grade II listed building opened in 1884 and has beautiful staircases and colourful tiles.
• Sensory notes: the official pages do not describe noise, lighting or quiet times for this library.

Plan your visit: a parent’s checklist

• Check the day. On 12 November 2026 the library page listed Monday to Wednesday 9am to 8pm, Thursday and Friday 9am to 5pm. Saturday was 10am to 4pm.
• It is closed on Sundays. Visit Leeds lists Thursday until 8pm, so follow the library page or phone 0113 378 5005.
• For under fives, aim for Story & Rhyme on a Monday afternoon or Thursday morning. The listing says to just turn up.
• Join while you are there. Joining is free if you live, work or study in Leeds, and you need no proof of identification.
• With a pushchair, use the Victoria Gardens basement entrance or the Art Gallery, which the library page names for wheelchair and pushchair access.
• Plan travel without a car. There is no public car park.

Prices and tickets

The council says you are welcome to visit its library buildings with no need to join, borrow books or buy anything. It also says joining is free, and computers and Wi-Fi are free to use.

• Story & Rhyme: free for under fives and their grown-ups.
• Children’s books: the fees page says there are no charges for loss or damage to any category of children’s stock.
• Overdue books: the council says it is a fine-free service. Since 1 July 2026, adult accounts are charged the cover price after 63 days on loan without renewal or return. This does not affect child accounts or children’s books borrowed by adults.
• Printing and photocopying: a small charge, says the council.
• Events: the council says many of its regular events are free. Its children’s page says special events, such as author events and theatre shows, are free or affordable.

Pushchairs, babies and toilets

• Entrances: you can enter from Victoria Gardens and from Calverley Street. The library page says wheelchair and pushchair access is through the Victoria Gardens basement entrance or the Art Gallery.
• Lifts: there is a lift to all floors.
• Baby changing: the library page lists baby change units among its facilities.
• Toilets: it lists public toilets and a disabled access toilet. The accessible toilets are in the basement.
• Breastfeeding: the official pages do not mention a feeding room.

Food and drink

The library page invites visitors to the Tiled Hall Café. Its own page calls it the Tiled Hall Café at Leeds Art Gallery, and says the hall was originally the main library reading room.

It sells hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, daily specials, toasties, paninis and cakes. On 12 November 2026 its page listed Monday to Saturday 10am to 4.30pm and Sunday 11am to 2.30pm. Last orders are 30 minutes before closing.

The café has an accessible entrance and accessible toilets. The library itself is closed on Sundays. The official pages do not say whether you can eat your own food in the library.

Getting there and parking

• Address: Leeds City Library, Municipal Buildings, Calverley Street, Leeds LS1 3AB.
• Parking: the library page says there is no public car park. There are limited on-street spaces for Blue Badge holders only.
• Nearby parking: the Tiled Hall Café page names on-street parking on Cookridge Street. It also names Woodhouse Lane, The Light, Merrion Centre and Rose Bowl car parks, a 5 to 10 minute walk away.
• By train or bus: the café page gives a 10 minute walk from Leeds Railway Station and 15 minutes from the city centre bus station.

When to visit

• Opening hours: see the checklist above. The library page lists 8pm closing on Monday to Wednesday and no Sunday opening.
• Story & Rhyme: Monday 1.30pm and Thursday 10.30am, on a listing that runs to 23 December 2026.
• Christmas and New Year: on 12 November 2026 the library page listed no Christmas or New Year hours or closures. Phone 0113 378 5005 before visiting over the holidays.
• Events: the council’s events page lists clubs, workshops and family events at City Library. Check it before you go.

Additional needs and disability support

The library page lists these access features. It does not mention a Changing Places toilet, relaxed sessions, sensory maps or quiet hours.

Frequently asked questions

Is Leeds City Library free?

Yes. The council says you can visit with no need to join, borrow or buy anything. Joining is free if you live, work or study in Leeds.

Is Leeds Central Library the same as Leeds City Library?

Yes. The library page says the central library has been renamed Leeds City Library. Some listings, including Story & Rhyme, still use the old name.

When is Story & Rhyme at Leeds City Library?

The listing names Central Library on Mondays at 1.30pm to 2.30pm, and “Central” on Thursdays at 10.30am to 11.30am. It runs from 8 June to 23 December 2026. It is free for under fives and their grown-ups.

Is Leeds City Library open on Sundays?

No. On 12 November 2026 the library page listed Sunday as closed. Saturday opening was 10am to 4pm.

Can you take a pushchair to Leeds City Library?

Yes. The library page says pushchair access is through the Victoria Gardens basement entrance or the Art Gallery. There is a lift to all floors and baby change units.

Where do you park for Leeds City Library?

There is no public car park, only limited on-street Blue Badge spaces. The Tiled Hall Café page names several car parks a 5 to 10 minute walk away.

Checked on 12 November 2026 against the official Leeds Libraries pages for Leeds City Library, under fives, Story & Rhyme, joining the library and fees and charges, the Tiled Hall Café page and Visit Leeds. Prices and times can change, so check before you travel.