Books & Reading

This page tells you all you need to know about books and reading at Leeds Libraries.

If you live, work or study in Leeds you can join Leeds Libraries. To borrow books you need to be a library member with a library card. It’s free and you can join the library online or in any library branch. 

If you join online, You’ll receive an email with your temporary card number, and you can choose a PIN. You can reset your PIN through the My Account link on the library catalogue. 

With a membership you can: 

  • borrow up to 20 books 

  • book computers with internet access 

  • use online resources from home 

Please note, you will need to put LDP00 in front of the temporary number when you log in to all services except BorrowBox. 

Your library membership

Reserve books

Items can be reserved for free either online using your library card and PIN or by visiting your local branch.  

Use the library catalogue to search for the item you want and click 'reserve this item'.  

If a title is not in stock, we can request it and reserve it for you at any library, if it is available from our suppliers and meets stock criteria. There is an admin charge of £2 for this service. 

To reserve an item not on our catalogue, visit any library or email leeds.libraries@leeds.gov.uk (please include the author, title and your library card number) or phone 0113 378 5005. 

Inter-library loans to obtain an item from the British Library or another UK library cost £10. 

Charges are refundable if the reservation cannot be satisfied, and all children’s titles are free to reserve.  

Renew books

  • Log into your account using the "Log In" link at the top of the page. The 8 numbers on your library card are your log-in and your 4 digit security number is your password. 

  • Click on "renew all" or select the books you want to renew. 

You can renew a book 7 times online and each time it will renew for 3 weeks. If you cannot renew your book, this may be because someone else has reserved it or it has been renewed too many times online. If you have any problems, please call 0113 378 5005. 

Overdue books

We do not charge fines for the late return of books; however, we encourage you to return books on time so that others can enjoy them. Items not returned will be treated as lost and charges may apply to replace these. 

Book Clubs

Book Clubs are great places to meet other people. Our libraries offer sets of books for your group to borrow free of charge 

We are sometimes able to arrange for authors to visit groups to talk about their work. We also keep members up to date about book news and author events. 

How to set up a group: 

  • Pick a name for your group and pick up your Book Club Library card from your local library to become an affiliated group. 

  • Find a place to meet - some libraries have meeting rooms to hire for a small fee. 

  • Set some rules at the first meeting. If you're using library books, make sure all members are aware that any loss and damage are chargeable. Library books need to be returned on time, as soon as possible after you meet. Sets are in high demand so we need the complete set back so it can go to another group. 

  • Decide what type of discussion you wish to have, such as an in-depth discussion or just an exchange of views. 

  • You can find our Book Club Book List here. Please only choose sets that are in stock, not transferring, on hold or due as there can be long waits for these titles and we cannot guarantee you will receive them in time.  

You can also register your group on the Book Club Hubs site as well as our libraries. 

Walking Books


A graphic of two people in a green space, one reading with a pile of books, the other walking. A rabbit and a tree also feature.

Enjoy your local green spaces even more by downloading a free eAudiobook from Leeds Libraries to listen to while relaxing or walking in our glorious spaces. Poems, short stories and nature writing chosen to soothe your mind. 

Download the BorrowBox app for free access to eBooks and eAudiobooks through your library membership. 

View our curated list of Walking Books. 

Collections Development Policy

You can find out how we select our stock in our Collections Development Policy