Libraries in Leeds: A dying breed?

Libraries have been a diminishing quantity across the U.K. for a while now, with nearly 800 closing since 2010. But is the problem even greater in Leeds?

Since the beginning of modern civilisation, libraries have been at the heart of educating society. Libraries have been at the heart of Leeds too, with there currently being 37 active libraries in Leeds – one of them, The Leeds Library, being the oldest subscription library in the U.K.

But are Libraries in danger of becoming solely a part of Leeds’s past, and not its present?

Data collected from a survey conducted by Leeds Now found that only 4% of people in Leeds use the library on a weekly basis. In addition to this, not a single respondent to the survey said that they would use the library on a daily basis, with only 7% of people answering that they would go to the library at least once a month.

And perhaps most shocking, 60% of people in Leeds admitted to never going to the library at all.

So why are libraries in Leeds dying? Is it perhaps that there is a lack of libraries in Leeds, making them inaccessible to communities?

Data collected by the Office for National Statistics allowed Leeds Now to calculate Leeds’s libraries per capita rate. We found that Leeds has a libraries per capita rate of 4.58 – a figure considerably lower than the England and Wales average of 5.35.

Leeds Now also calculated the libraries per capita rate of the 33 individual wards of Leeds. Shockingly the data showed that 25 of the 33 wards, were below the England and Wales average, with even 6 of the wards not having a single library in the area.

On top of allowing us to calculate the libraries per capita in Leeds, the Office for National Statistics also provided data for how far a walk away people are from a library. It found that in Leeds, over 50% of people are more than a 15 minute walk away from a library.

But despite the stats, not everyone thinks that there is a lack of libraries around Leeds.

Councillor and Executive Member for Communities, Customer Service and Community Safety, Mary Harland said “Although not every ward does contain a library within its boundary there may be a library very close to a ward boundary, and larger community hub and library sites.”

“It is also worth mentioning that library services are not limited to physical spaces, we have a range of services which collectively make up a 24/7 library offer.”

So what else could be causing this drastic fall in library usage?

Perhaps it is just a change of times. Younger generations are now brought up with Ebooks, YouTube videos, AI search machines and the entirety of the internet. The thought of a library may not even cross their mind.

Jane Riley, Author and Head Librarian at The Leeds Library, certainly thinks the younger generations are causing a fall in library usage – “We host school visits, and the majority of the pupils either don’t read, or actively dislike it.”

And Mrs Riley fears for the future – “The public library network has been decimated. Those who have stayed open have had to reduce their opening hours.”

“I think the danger is that they are becoming less ‘library-like’ and more community hubs. This may be what is required, but once the books are gone, it’s too late to try and rectify it; the earlier you can instil a love of reading in a child, the better.“

The future of libraries remaining as a staple in day-to-day life is certainly at threat. Since 2016, the U.K. has lost 180 public libraries, taking 2000 jobs at the same time. That amounts to 1 in 20 libraries across the U.K. shutting down in the last 8 years.

However, the status of libraries is not all gloomy – especially in Leeds, according to Councillor Harland – “Libraries are linked in to many Council-wide agendas, for example, education – through the Schools Library Service, Summer Reading Challenge, health and wellbeing – through provision of Wellbeing pods.”

“Leeds Central Library has just completed phase 1 of a major refurbishment project to the first floor, extending the public space available to deliver the offer, host workshops and events. Phase 2 works are expected during 2025/26 which will see a similar level of improvement to the ground floor space, which includes the main lending library and children library space.”

Whether there are enough libraries in Leeds or not, Whatever is causing library usage to drop, and whatever will happen to libraries in the future are all things which can be deliberated. But one thing which cannot be deliberated is the purpose of libraries and the importance of keeping them, as put best by Mrs Riley – “Libraries are truly precious, and provide access to a whole new world of knowledge and stories. At their very best, they are a nonjudgmental, friendly, inspirational and accepting space, where people are encouraged to learn, grow and discover.”