Libraries

“To be a writer you need to be a reader.” Local Authority Librarian  

Libraries are a cultural strength in Leeds and collectively a powerful network to support wide-ranging engagement with writing and literature above their core remits. Collectively the libraries are organising a new festival of libraries for Leeds which is a welcome development in this vibrant part of the literary ecology.  

Leeds Libraries has a central city library space and a network of libraries and outreach provision in communities throughout the city. Joining up with Customer Services at the Council has transformed the libraries’ offering, with capital investment and more cross- cutting provision in their approach. We are impressed with their deep connections with the communities of Leeds, but also their ambition for libraries. They are forward-looking and poised to engage with more opportunities to support people in Leeds. They are a space for community connection, business advice and support, health and wellbeing (including through their innovative ‘wellbeing pods’), and literacy – especially early years but also adult literacy activities. Children and young people’s provision is also a strength for them, as is providing cultural experiences for people across the city.  

This open-minded vision is testament to the leadership of the library service and Leeds City Council’s enthusiastic support for them. Darren Henley, Chief Executive of Arts Council England, recently visited the library service to learn more about its work and has been very encouraging of their ambitions to develop Arts Council funded activity there. There is interest from the head of the service in the library considering applying for NPO status in the next funding round, a very positive possibility.  

There are three other major libraries in Leeds:  

The Leeds Library is an independent library and charity that was set up by subscription by JB Priestley, so that readers in Leeds could benefit from a wide variety of books, not just the ones that they could afford to buy for themselves. This gives it an access mandate that they work to uphold. They run book launches, comedy, spoken word, debates, and salons. It has more than 1,000 members and is funded via memberships subscription and grants. They have recently bought 15 Commercial Street, next door to the main library, and intend to develop it into a learning and event space. They are currently fundraising for this.  

The British Library has been part of the Leeds story for nearly 60 years. It has a 44-acre campus at Boston Spa. Formerly a Second World War munitions factory, it is home to over two-thirds of the British Library’s collection of 170 million items. In the 2020 budget, the UK government made a £25 million commitment to establish a British Library North in Leeds City Centre, as part of the West Yorkshire Devolution deal. The project has a ten-year timeline and work is underway to refurbish and repurpose Temple Works. The library has a small team based in Leeds developing projects with educational outcomes and is beginning to work in partnership locally.  

The Brotherton Library is a GLAM organisation that runs a gallery, archive, and library. It is the home of Leeds University’s world-class literary collections, including works by Gosse, Dickens and Gaskell, plus a recent Brontë bequest (they hold a first edition copy of Wuthering Heights that belonged to the Brontë sisters’ father, Patrick). The library’s main users are students and academic staff, however the Brotherton has recently launched a new strategy focusing on public engagement. The aim is for people from across the city to benefit from and engage with their extensive collections. They are interested in bringing key players together so that partnerships and networks can happen. They have beautiful spaces that could be used as, for example, writing retreats – such as the Brotherton Reading Room – especially during University holiday periods. Their special collections could be used by creatives as starting points for writing projects and residencies.  

The Libraries in Leeds Network (made up of Leeds Libraries, The Leeds Library, NHS Library and The British Library, among others) has been gathering momentum, especially in the past 12 months, when the Brotherton Library’s Chief Librarian joined. Together, the libraries are working on a strategy to raise the profile of the sector. They are in the early stages of developing ideas for a libraries’ festival in Leeds, which could be a valuable addition to activity in the city.  

Leeds Central Library and the Brotherton Library are working on joint initiatives around Brotherton’s makerspace in the Edward Burton Space. This is a space for students to play with technology with a view to developing cultural business. There is the potential for there to be a writing-focused programme in the makerspace. Brotherton Library talked about the success of the Fintech and Healthtech industries in Leeds. They are interested in developing a flourishing Culturetech sector, supporting creatives in the city in SMEs and start-ups.  

Leeds Libraries host the British Library’s business and intellectual property centre and are experienced at issuing patents. This centre regularly runs training events, and recently held a two-day workshop for creatives and a Music Leeds event supporting music freelancers. The libraries could be a location for developing skills in the literature workforce. Leeds Libraries are currently working with the five other library services plus economic development organisations such as Capital Enterprise, to make an application to the Combined Authority for start-up funding for business and growth.  

The partners are interested because, between them, the public, private and university libraries in West Yorkshire have 119 front doors for people in the community to access their services and access to staff who are business champions.  

Support for libraries was echoed across our research, from publisher Kevin Duffy at Bluemoose Books, who said the libraries have been integral to Bluemoose’s development, to Hazel Hutchinson, Head of the School of English at Leeds University, who noted that libraries are where literature flourishes.  

Leeds Library Service are well-resourced (relative to other authorities) and well-networked in the city, but they should be more strongly recognised as cultural organisations, with a breadth of provision and a depth of relationship in communities across the city.  

Leeds Libraries is a network of 34 library branches, seven mobile libraries, and several outreach venues, including in Kirkgate Market. With 300,000 members currently holding a library card, the libraries have extensive reach and foster a deep engagement with local communities. Books and reading are at the heart of the libraries’ offer, with librarians working to provide residents with access to a broad array of books and literature.  

The libraries host events and activities to both entertain and provide opportunities for skill development, including author talks, poetry events, coding workshops, art socials, and digital drop-in sessions.  

The libraries regularly run creative development sessions and workshops, and host opportunities for writers to talk about their work in a supportive environment. Computer access and free wi-fi means that members benefit from accessible spaces to write, removing potential economic barriers to writing. The #Digital121 programme provides support for members who may need additional guidance using digital resources. Leeds Central Library also has a Business & IP Centre, which offers business development support, advice and guidance for writers at any stage of their publishing journey.  

Literacy is a fundamental part of the library provision, with libraries offering varied  

support to everyone from early years to adulthood. There are a host of events aimed to develop literacy and love for reading at all ages, and the libraries’ Read Easy partnerships provide support to help adult learners build confidence in reading. The innovative Ask for A Book scheme engages readers who are looking for advice on what to read, providing them with curated librarian-led recommendations.  

Leeds Libraries are part of Libraries in Leeds, a collaborative network of libraries and archives based in Leeds that link local libraries, arts collections, health libraries, university libraries, archival centres, and museums.  

Leeds Libraries understands the potential of libraries as a key resource for communities and a vital source of connection. They offer accessible meeting spaces that anyone can use, encouraging communities to gather, socialise, and meet like- minded people. Affordable multi-use room hire means that community groups and events can host their sessions in a welcoming environment.  

A key driver for Leeds Libraries is the provision of support and activity for children and young people. The libraries deliver family friendly events and initiatives to establish a life-long love of books and reading from an early age. Leeds Libraries have two Story  

Buses which provide a welcoming and accessible space for families to engage with books and literature. The buses regularly visit communities in priority neighbourhoods where there is less engagement with library services. The libraries also run the Leeds Book Awards; a city-wide initiative developed in partnership with schools across the city. The awards give young people the opportunity to read and review an array of newly published children’s fiction, culminating in an awards ceremony where the winners are announced and celebrated.  

Also vital to the Leeds Libraries offer is the support of health and wellbeing. Library socials invite members to attend free monthly events that allow them to stay connected in an inviting local space, encouraging them to build social networks and help avoid isolation and loneliness. Leeds Libraries support health literacy by providing access to a wide selection of Reading Well books chosen by trusted health experts, and wellbeing pods provide private, non-clinical spaces for the delivery of health services.