There's more to Leeds Central Library than just books. From theatre productions to business advice and free wifi, find out what else it has to offer. Plan your visit now...

It’s one of the city’s grandest buildings, but there’s still a lot folk don’t know about Leeds Central Library…

For most of us, any mention of the library will conjure up images of floor to ceiling bookshelves, but there’s much more to Leeds Central Library than stereotypes. So let us introduce you to some of the lesser-known aspects of a building everyone knows about, but few actually venture within.

1. It’s a grade II listed building

As well as being home to some awesome services, Leeds Central Library is quite a looker. Opened on 17th April 1884, the building was designed to complement Leeds Town Hall, making it a rather grand affair, and the art gallery extension, designed by W.H. Thorp, was opened in 1888. The Tiled Hall, which now makes for a stunning setting for a cup of tea, underwent a £1.5 million restoration in 2007 to return it to the beautiful room it is today.

2. It’s your computer, when you don’t have one

Not everyone can afford to have their own computer, so Leeds Central Library has a host of them, ready for you to use. You can book a 2 hour slot in advance to ensure you can get that essay or application in on time, with everything from word processors to spreadsheets and presentations, so even though you might associate it with books, it’s actually quite techy.

3. It has an art space

Not just the home of thousands of books, Leeds Central Library also has a dedicated art space. It was recently taken over by Playbods, an interactive art exhibition that saw the people of Leeds helping to create something completely unique through a series of workshops and drop-in sessions that proved to be the perfect way to introduce the kids to the arts. But there’s much more where that came from.

4. It can help you get your business off the ground

One aspect of Leeds Central Library that very few people seem to know about is The Enterprise Club. It’s totally free and gives you the opportunity to learn business essentials, like how to finance a new business, use social media and make book-keeping less painful. Look out for their workshops, which take place throughout the month – and remember, it’s all free, so you can get expert help, without spending a penny.

5. You can borrow books, on your iPad

You’ve probably got a picture in your head of floor to ceiling shelves filled with books, and while that may be a reality, there’s also a more technical side to Leeds Central Library – you can borrow books online, with the app. Just like Amazon, they’ll give you a digital copy to read on your tablet – but here, it’s free. So whether you want to read the latest best seller or need the new novel on your book club list, you’re all set.

6. It has awesome wifi

That’s right, this is one city centre location that you’re guaranteed to find a fast, efficient internet connection. So whether you’re working away from the office, sending a quick email or swatting up for your next exam, head to Leeds Central Library and enjoy a speedy connection. No naughty business though.

7. It’s very dramatic

You’d probably expect to find Shakespeare’s plays in Leeds Central Library, but they sit alongside over 12,000 other titles, with the world’s most famous scribes alongside a host of lesser known writers. Even better, drama groups can borrow a set for a small fee, keeping them for up to 3 months (with the option to renew) so if you’re looking to put on your own production, you can do it with a little help from the library.

8. You can register online

Gone are the days when you had to visit your local library to register. Now you can do it online and they’ll send you a card in the post. So if you’re planning to take advantage of those ebooks we just told you about, you need never set foot in the library itself (although you’ll be missing out if you don’t).

9. You can get free books for kids to keep

Yes, it’s a library, you can get free books for everyone, but this is a little different. All of Leeds’ libraries, including the city centre one, work with Bookstart, a national scheme that gives out free books to kids. So you can pick up a Baby Pack for 7 to 12 month olds or a Treasure Pack for kids aged 36 to 48 months, as well as special packs for children with disabilities.

10. They do plays, workshops & more…

Whether you’re a new writer looking for inspiration, a thespian in search of a new experience or a parent in charge of a hoard of kids in need of entertainment, WordPlay has a little something lined up for you. Promising a unique and engaging art experience, they’ve tempted theatre companies, artists and even heritage investigators into the city to share their little slice of the arts with the general public. You’ll never get closer to the arts.

11. It’s a source of free business advice

Bet you don’t know about this one. Leeds Central Library offers free, one-to-one sessions to help you get your head around everything from accountancy to intellectual property. It’s all part of their Business & IP Centre, and gives local entrepreneurs the benefit of expert advice, from the likes of Richard Munoz from WGN Chartered Accountants, Gareth Allen from RedSky Finance and Roger Tipple of Tipple Associates – there’s a whole lot of experience for you to take advantage of.

12. It’s not just about books

Leeds Central Library is home to Studio 12, an audio visual project that offers production training for people aged 15-30. The priority here is helping folk who aren’t employed or in education, but anyone can get involved, with one-to-ones on offer, as well as a host of hardware and software. From digital SLRs to Final Cut Pro, everything you need is right at your fingertips.

13. It’s got one of the best cafes in town

Nestled between Leeds Central Library and the Art Gallery that shares its rather grand exterior is The Tiled Hall, an absolutely stunning cafe that serves up everything from cakes and sandwiches to Peruvian stew. Settle down for a nice cup of Yorkshire Tea as you write that novel, woo those clients or just enjoy a meeting away from the office.

14. It’s great for learning the basics of computers

If the joys of the internet, and indeed, computers in general, has passed you by, you can get a little more from the library. Whether it’s the basics, like learning how to use a mouse or keyboard, or something more specific, like emailing, filing or looking for jobs, you can pick up all the skills you need.

15. You can give your kids a skills boost

Of course your little ones’ abilities are a top priority – and Leeds Central Library, along with its suburban sisters, can help with that. They have a whole host of activity packs that you can pick up and take home, covering everything from maths to healthy eating. So whether you want to improve your little one’s listening skills, top-up their observation skills or make counting as easy as 1, 2, 3 – just head to the library.

16. You can brush up on your writing skills

You probably wouldn’t be surprised to find a book club in Leeds Central Library, but what about a writing club? Taking place every third Thursday, from 1:45pm to 3:30pm, it’s a chance to share your work with your fellow writers and work in a fun, supportive environment, as well as discussing anything and everything related to writing.

17. You can trace your family tree

One thing you might not expect to find in the library is their local and family history service. With over 200,000 newspapers, books, electoral registers, parish records and more, you can trace your family tree back through the ages – they even have free access to ancestry.com. To help you in your search, they run learning sessions like Family History for Beginners and Tracing Your Family History Online. And if it’s the history of Leeds you’re interested in, they have that covered too.