Story Bus
The Leeds Libraries Story Buses are packed with board books, picture books and toys for under fives. Our friendly Story Bus team deliver quality Story & Rhyme sessions all over Leeds, which support speech and language development.
To find out more and request a Story Bus visit please email leeds.story.bus@leeds.gov.uk
Join us at a community stop on our colourful Story Buses, Sam and Nelly. Hop aboard for a Story & Rhyme session, share stories, play and borrow books.
Find our community stop locations and time information on Google Maps.
Details of our Story & Rhyme sessions on the Story Buses can be found here. as part of our city-wide programme.
Library visits programme
We provide sessions in the library suitable for EYFS, KS1 and KS2. We aim to promote the library as a welcoming and safe space within the local community, to encourage regular library use, support reading for pleasure and information literacy and to empower children in making book choices as part of self-development.
Email leeds.libraries@leeds.gov.uk to book a free one-hour session with your local librarian.
School Library Service
Leeds School Library Service provides resources direct to Leeds schools to underpin the curriculum, and inspire reading for pleasure in pupils and staff, raising attainment throughout the school.
For full details of our offer to schools visit Leeds for Learning.
Leeds Book Awards
The Leeds Book Awards celebrate the best of newly published children’s literature. Children and young people from schools across the city read and review the best books of the year, from Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 4. This is followed by a high profile city celebration of children's books and reading.
Summer Reading Challenge
The annual Summer Reading Challenge encourages children aged 4-11 to enjoy the benefits of reading for pleasure during the summer holidays. Children are encouraged to visit their local library over the summer, become an active member and read at least six books. Librarians attend special school assemblies to help spread the word.
Online resources
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.
Ancestry - Billions of records for family history research. Accessible in Leeds Libraries.
Leodis - our photographic archive, with over 75,000 historic photographs, over 5,000 historical playbills and over 1,000 historic Leeds gig tickets.
The Secret Library - our heritage blog, with lots of articles tagged as Child Friendly. Find out more about the interesting items hidden away in our stacks.