We're open for business!

Library Opening Hours:
Mon:   3.00 pm-5.00 pm
​Closed on Bank Holiday Mondays
Tues:   Closed (but café open)
Weds:  10.00-12.00  (includes  Mums and  Toddler Group)
Thurs:  3.00 pm-5.00 pm
Fri:   Closed (but café open)
Sat:   10.00 - 12.00
Sun:  Closed
Café opening hours
Click on the  tab above for the new café page

How we work
        Our building has been a library since 1923 but was closed by the City Council at the end of 2012. Volunteers stepped in to keep the doors and the pages of its books open. Since the 'Shadwell Independent Library' opened in January 2013, we have added hundreds of books and many new members. The Local History Society has hosted many events under the banner of our Arts Centre and, most recently, our wonderful new café opened its doors in the autumn of 2016. In the Spring of 2017 we became one of the  winners of the Duke of York's Community Initiative Award 2016. 
       There is no charge to join our library. There is no limit to the number of books you can borrow, and we operate an exceptionally lenient system of fines for late books!
       We have a modern computerised system for cataloguing and the issue of books (see the Connect page for how to access it).
        We can offer free WiFi if you have your own laptop, and there is a desktop computer for public use if you have not.
        We can borrow books for you from the Leeds City Library system (they may make a small charge for this).
      We offer tea, coffee and biscuits - there is no charge but we hope you will make a contribution. On Tuesdays and Fridays we have a full-scale café - click on the tab above for details.
       You can also hire the library for a very modest charge for your own event - please get in touch for details.