Here are the most significant collections held at Leeds Central Library. Click a link to find out more, or view a list of Treasures. You can also find out more on our library catalogue.

The LEODIS Image Archive
Our extensive image archive, featuring thousands of photographs and illustrations of Leeds.

The Playbills Collection
With 5000+ Leeds theatre playbills from 1781 – 1998, the collection covers all kinds of events from circus to opera. the collection is digitised and searchable/viewable online.

The LEEDS ANTIQUARIAN Collection
Collection of items by and relating to influential Leeds historians and Antiquarians, including Ralph Thoresby, John Lucas, Thomas Wilson, William Boyne, James Wardell and Alf Mattison.

The E.R. EDDISON Collection
Manuscript writings from the influential Adel-born fantasy novelist.

The GASCOIGNE Collection
More than 3,000 books, pamphlets and periodicals, mainly on military and naval history.

The GOTT Bequest
Over 600 books on early English gardening and botany.

The GRIMSHAW Collection
Paintings, manuscripts and musical scores from the family of John Atkinson Grimshaw.

The SANDERSON Collection
Fashion ephemera from the 1770s to the 1960s.

The WING Collection
More than 800 books and pamphlets, mainly from the 17th century and largely comprising Tracts from the English Civil War (including many from Yorkshire).

The WILLIE RILEY Collection
Includes the manuscript of his most famous novel, Windyridge, a complete set of his novels, with personal dedications, unpublished short novels, sermons and book reviews.

The HENRY Collection
A collection of ‘Sweepiana’ – books relating to chimney sweeps, their working conditions and the folklore, literature and mythology surrounding the subject.