Leeds Central Library

Story

Leeds Central Library is a public library in Leeds, in the city centre, on the Headrow. It houses the city library service's single largest general lending and reference collection and hosts the Leeds Art Gallery.Services available from the building include: Art Library Central Children's Library Central Lending Library Information Centre (Business and Research Library) Local Studies Library Music and DVD LibraryHistory of the Central Library buildingThe Central Library is a Grade II* listed building and was constructed between 1878 and 1884. The building was opened on 17 April 1884 by the Mayor, Alderman Edwin Woodhouse as the Leeds Municipal Offices. It was intended that various scattered borough departments would be accommodated in the building so that the administration of Leeds would be concentrated in the Municipal Offices and the Town Hall. A design competition was held to choose a design for the building. There were 26 entries and the winning architect was a Leeds man of Scottish origin - George Corson. He saidI determined that the new buildings adjacent to the Town Hall would be similar in style to the Town Hall but not identical in treatment.