Digital Library

This page is the Digital Library. Here you can access ebooks, e-magazines, e-comics, audiobooks, newspapers and a wide variety of online resources. Some are available anywhere, anytime, others require you to use a library computer to access. You can also find out more about the digital support on offer through Leeds Libraries. 

Digital Reading

E-books and audiobooks

Anyone with a library card can borrow free e-books and audio books through the BorrowBox app. 

  • Step 1: Download the BorrowBox app from the store on your device and set up an account using your library card number and PIN 

  • Step 2: Search, browse and discover our great collection 24/7, by title, author or category, read extracts, listen to excerpts and more 

  • Step 3: Confirm your choice or reserve a title for later 

  • Step 4: Download the complete eBook or eAudiobook. You’ll get an email when reserved titles are ready to download 

  • Step 5: Enjoy reading and remember to re-visit to see the latest books which have been added 

You can also watch this guide for further help. 

Download free e-books and audiobooks 

Explore e-books and audio books for children 

You can also search, reserve and renew your books via the full library catalogue online 

E-magazines and e-comics

With Libby, you can enjoy free e-magazines and e-comics from your library. All you need is a library card. 

  • Step 1: Download Libby from the app store on your device. Follow the prompts to find Leeds Libraries and sign in with your library card number 

  • Step 2: Browse your library's catalogue and open a magazine or comic 

  • Step 3: Borrowed titles appear on your Shelf. You'll also find your magazine subscriptions and kept magazine issues on the Magazine Rack on your Shelf 

Newspapers

With Libby, you can enjoy free e-magazines and e-comics from your library. All you need is a library card. 

  • Step 1: Download Libby from the app store on your device. Follow the prompts to find Leeds Libraries and sign in with your library card number 

  • Step 2: Browse your library's catalogue and open a magazine or comic 

  • Step 3: Borrowed titles appear on your Shelf. You'll also find your magazine subscriptions and kept magazine issues on the Magazine Rack on your Shelf 

Digital Resources

Art & Music

Art Full Text - Index and full text articles on art and related topics including Art Index Retrospective. Accessible anywhere.

Oxford Art Online - Art reference library from Oxford University Press. Accessible anywhere.

Medici TV - World leading classical music channel offering access to the best of classical music. Accessible anywhere.

Naxos Music Library - Classical music available for online listening. Accessible anywhere.

Oxford Music Online - Music reference library from Oxford University Press. Accessible anywhere.

Business

British Standards Online - Access to the British Standards website. Accessible in Leeds Libraries. 

Cobra – The complete business reference adviser. Accessible in Leeds Libraries. 

Mintel - Market research reports on a range of consumer products. Accessible in the BIPC Hub, Leeds Central Library. 

IbisWorld - Industry and competitor market research reports. Accessible in the BIPC Hub, Leeds Central Library 

Film

BFI Screen Online - Definitive guide to British film and TV history, with analysis, information, and multimedia. Access to film and TV clips. Accessible in Leeds Libraries. 

BFI Replay - A free streaming service for public libraries with thousands of digitised videos and television programmes from the collections of the BFI National Archive and UK regions and nations film archives. Accessible in Leeds Libraries. 

Historical Newspapers

Newsbank - Over 300 national and regional newspapers from the UK and Ireland including the Yorkshire Post and Yorkshire Evening Post. Includes current and historic copies, searchable by keyword. Accessible anywhere.

British Library Newspapers - Explore over 2 million pages of nineteenth century British newspapers. Accessible anywhere

Times Digital Archive - Search over 200 years of The Times newspaper. Accessible anywhere.

Living in the UK (including Theory Test Pro)

Life in the UK - (The British way of life) Study resource for people new to the UK. Accessible anywhere.

Road to IELTS - Preparation course for the IELTS exam, an international standardised test of English language proficiency for non-native English language speakers. Accessible anywhere.

Theory Test Pro - Simulation of the UK's driving theory tests for practise purposes. Accessible anywhere.

Heritage

Ancestry - Billions of records for family history research. Accessible in Leeds Libraries.

Proceedings of the Yorkshire Geological Society - Browse issues back to 1839. Accessible in Leeds Libraries.

Yorkshire Archaeological Journal - A review of history and archaeology in the county. Current and past copies are available. Accessible in Leeds Libraries.

Research & Reference (includes Which? Magazine)

Access to Research - Access to academic articles on a wide range of subjects including art, architecture, business, engineering, history, languages, politics, philosophy, mathematics, and science. Not all articles are available to view under this scheme. Accessible in Leeds Libraries.

Encyclopaedia Britannica - One of the world's most authoritative reference encyclopaedias. Accessible anywhere.

Encyclopaedia Britannica Junior (ages 5-11) - A children's encyclopaedia specifically designed for children in primary school. Accessible anywhere.

Encyclopaedia Britannica Student (ages 12-18) - A safe and fact-checked encyclopaedia to support high school students. Accessible anywhere.

European Sources Online - Information on Europe and the European Union. Accessible in Leeds Libraries.

Which? Extra Online - Consumer buying guides, only accessible in the following libraries: Armley, Beeston, Bramley, Calverley, Central Library, Chapel Allerton, Compton, Crossgates, Dewsbury Road, Farsley, Garforth, Guiseley, Halton, Headingley, Holt Park, Horsforth, Hunslet, Kippax, Moor Allerton, Morley, Oakwood, Otley, Pudsey, Rothwell, Seacroft, Wetherby, Yeadon.

Oxford English Dictionary - The definitive English language dictionary. Accessible anywhere.

Oxford Dictionaries All Languages - Meanings, pronunciation, or translation into another language. Accessible anywhere.

Oxford Reference Online - (Includes the Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain & Ireland) Reference resource spanning 25 different subject areas, bringing together 2 million digitised entries across Oxford University Press's Dictionaries, Companions, and Encyclopaedias. Accessible anywhere.

Oxford Dictionary of National Biography - Biographies of those who shaped Britain's past. Accessible anywhere.

Parliamentary and Official Documents Online - A searchable archive of Parliament and Official documents. You can view material from the Westminster Parliament, Scottish Parliament, Northern Ireland Assembly, Welsh Parliament (Senedd), and non-Parliamentary material. This website provides easy to use, unlimited access to official publications. Accessible anywhere.

Which? Extra Online - Consumer buying guides, only accessible in the following libraries: Armley, Beeston, Bramley, Calverley, Central Library, Chapel Allerton, Compton, Crossgates, Dewsbury Road, Farsley, Garforth, Guiseley, Halton, Headingley, Holt Park, Horsforth, Hunslet, Kippax, Moor Allerton, Morley, Oakwood, Otley, Pudsey, Rothwell, Seacroft, Wetherby, Yeadon.

Who's Who and Who was Who - Noteworthy and influential people from all walks of life.

Get Digital Support

Book a Library Computer

If you are a library member, you can book a computer in any Leeds library using our online booking system 

We can give you temporary access to use the computers even if you are not a library member. 

Digital Drop-ins

Do you need help to use your tablet, smartphone or computer to try something new, say hello or get tech savvy? 

Come along with your device or use a library PC and talk to our friendly librarians who will help you get started. 

Learn how your device can help you improve your health, access library services to read eBooks and magazines online and even save you money.  

Free events, no booking necessary. Get in touch to find out more, call 0113 378 5005 or email leedslibraries@leeds.gov.uk 

Improve Your Digital Skills

We have lots of useful tutorials and videos to help you learn about your device, set up an email address, use Microsoft Office applications, the NHS app and much more. 

Borrow a Tablet

If you don’t have your own device or are struggling to get online, you can borrow a tablet from Leeds Libraries for up to 8 weeks. They come with a monthly 5GB data allowance, so you don’t need a wifi connection. iPads are available at our community hubs and libraries in Armley, Compton Centre, Headingley, Holt Park, Hunslet, Reginald Centre and Seacroft (subject to availability)  

Use one to develop your skills, attend online courses or connect with others. Browse eBooks, eMagazines, eComics and our Leeds Libraries Online Learning platform. 

To borrow a tablet, you must be: 

  • Aged 18 or over 

  • A registered library member 

  • Living in Leeds for the duration of the loan period  

You must also sign a loan agreement and provide proof of address. Ask at the counter for more information or call 0113 378 5005. 

Get Data for your Phone

If you need to stay in touch and get online but are struggling with the cost of living crisis, community hubs and libraries across Leeds have O2, Vodafone and Three mobile SIMs with up to six months unlimited calls and texts plus data. 

SIMs are available at Central Library (Second Floor Business department), Armley Community Hub and Library, Reginald Centre Community Hub and Library, Compton Centre Community Hub and Library and Dewsbury Road Community Hub and Library. 

To receive a SIM, you must be: 

  • Aged 18 or over 

  • Struggling to get online 

Ask at the counter for more information or call 0113 378 5005.