Shadwell Library, Arts Centre & Café

Name: Shadwell Library, Arts Centre & Café
Address: 99 Main Street, Shadwell, Leeds, LS178HL, GB
Telephone: 0113 2656450

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Shadwell Library, Arts Centre & Café

Love our little library? Like our page! Please see our Facebook posts for library and cafe opening times. NOW- Shadwell INDEPENDENT Library.

Our Grade 2 listed library was taken over by volunteers in January 2013 and since then it was become a valuable asset to the community. Current opening hours:
Mon:15.00-17.00
Tues: Closed
Weds: 10-12
Thurs: 15.00-17.00
Fri:closed
Sat: 10.00 - 12.00
Sun: Closed and Closed Bank Holidays
email;[email protected]
See you there :)

28/09/2026

📚 What’s On at Shadwell Library this week

A normal week in the Library this week, so we thought we’d take the opportunity to remind you that our lovely community space is also available to hire.

Looking for somewhere local for a meeting, small gathering, club or private event? Our Grade II listed former Methodist chapel makes a cosy and characterful venue, with tables, chairs, kitchen and toilet facilities, and space for up to 35 people.

If you’d like to find out more, please contact Linda on 07979 798030.

And if you’re simply looking for a book, a jigsaw or a friendly place to spend a little time, you’ll find us here too. 💙📚

18/09/2026

📚💙 We love this reminder that it’s never too early to start sharing books with little ones.

Our children’s corner at Shadwell Library is a lovely little space to choose a book, settle down together and enjoy a story. We also have toys and jigsaws for our younger visitors to enjoy while they’re here.

And, of course, our books are free to borrow — so pop in, have a look and discover something to share together. 📖😊

15/09/2026

👮‍♀️ Meet your local neighbourhood West Yorkshire Police - Leeds North East police officers this Thursday.

Did you know that West Yorkshire Police Leeds North East hold a regular Police Contact Point at Shadwell Library every six weeks?

📅 Thursday 17 September
🕓 4.00pm – 5.00pm
📍 Shadwell Library

There’s no need to make an appointment – just call in for an informal chat.

Whether you have a concern about something you’ve noticed in the area, would like some crime prevention advice, have a question about local policing, or simply want to meet your neighbourhood officers, you’ll be made very welcome.

We’re fortunate that Shadwell is a safe village, but that’s something we all have a part in maintaining. The Police Contact Point is a great opportunity to keep in touch with your local officers and raise any issues, however small they may seem.

We look forward to welcoming you to the library on Thursday.

14/09/2026

📚 A busy week at Shadwell Library!

There’s plenty happening this week, from Crafters and the Hardback Café to local groups, meetings and our regular Police Contact Point on Thursday from 4–5pm. 👮

Thursday evening also sees our Heritage Open Day talk, ‘A Brief History of Surgery’ with Jake Timothy. We’re delighted that this is now fully booked – thank you to everyone who has reserved a place.

And, of course, you don’t need an event as a reason to call in. The Library is open at the usual times for books, jigsaws, a browse and a chat. 📚🧩

☕ Hardback Café: Tuesday 11am–1.30pm & Friday 11.30am–2pm.

Hope to see you sometime during the week! 😊

09/09/2026

☕ There’s more to volunteering at the Hardback Café than making tea and serving lunch… 🥰

Some of our café volunteers recently got together to celebrate Diane’s big birthday – a lovely reminder that volunteering can be a great way to meet people, make friends and become part of a team.

We’d love to welcome a few more people to ours.

There’s no need to commit every week – our volunteers simply add their availability to the rota, and there are lots of different ways to help.

We’re also particularly looking for someone who could spare around half an hour from 2pm on occasional Fridays to help stack and put away the tables and chairs. You wouldn’t need to work a café shift – just a little muscle at closing time would be enormously appreciated! 💪

If you fancy finding out more, send us a message or pop into one of the Hardback Cafés for a chat. You might come along to help and find you enjoy the social side too. ☕🍰

08/09/2026

📚 What’s On at Shadwell Library this week

We’re a little way into the week already, but there’s still plenty happening at the Library over the next few days. 😊

📖 Wednesday – Library open 10am–12 noon, followed by Scrabble at 1.30pm
📚 Thursday – Library open 3–5pm, with Book Club at 7pm
☕ Friday – Lunch at the Hardback Café, 11.30am–2pm
📖 Saturday – Library open 10am–12 noon

Whether you’re popping in for a book, a game of Scrabble, a chat or some homemade lunch and cake, we’d love to see you. 💙

04/09/2026

It’s lovely to be back! ☕🍰📚

The Hardback Café reopened this week after our summer break, and it was lovely to welcome back some familiar faces — as well as some new ones.

If you haven’t been in for a while, come and see us for coffee, homemade cake, lunch and a good natter. 😊

Tuesdays 11am–1.30pm (except the second Tuesday of the month)
Fridays 11.30am–2pm

Everyone welcome.

03/09/2026

A Brief History of Surgery – from ancient techniques to modern medicine

🎟️ FREE – pre-booking is essential

Did you know Leeds has played an important part in the development of modern surgery?

As part of Heritage Open Days 2026, we’re delighted to welcome Leeds consultant neurosurgeon Jake Timothy to Shadwell Library for what promises to be a fascinating evening.

From ancient surgical techniques to modern neurosurgery… Jake will take us through the remarkable evolution of surgery, including developments here in Leeds.

📅 Thursday 17 September
🕖 7.00pm
📍 Shadwell Library
🎟️ FREE – but places must be booked in advance

📧 To reserve your place, email:
[email protected]

Please feel free to share this with anyone you think might be interested.

29/08/2026

🎉 We’re delighted and honoured to have been selected for Skipton Building Society’s Community Giving scheme!

Shadwell Independent Library is one of three local good causes chosen by the Wetherby branch—and your vote could help us receive a donation of up to £1,000.

The funding would help us invest in essential equipment, including a much-needed new fridge for our community cafés and upgraded projector equipment for talks and events at the library.

Voting takes place in person at Skipton Building Society’s Wetherby branch from Monday 7 September until 4.30pm on Friday 2 October.

If you’re visiting Wetherby, please pop in and vote for Shadwell Independent Library. Every vote really could make a difference—thank you! 💚

28/08/2026

📚 What’s On at Shadwell Library next week

A little advance notice this week as we’ll be CLOSED on Bank Holiday Monday – and the Crafters are taking the day off too. So if you need to stock up on books or jigsaws for the long weekend, we’re open tomorrow (Saturday) 10am–12 noon. 📚🧩

Then on Tuesday, there’s something we’ve been looking forward to…

☕ The Hardback Café is back! 🥳

After our August break, our Tuesday café reopens 1 September, 11am–1.30pm, followed by the return of our Friday café on 4 September, 11.30am–2pm. We’re looking forward to seeing lots of familiar faces again – and hopefully some new ones too.

And talking of new faces… could you lend us a hand? 🥰

The Hardback Café is run entirely by volunteers and we’d love a few more people to join our friendly team. You don’t have to commit to every week – we have a rota and volunteers simply let us know when they’re available.

We’re particularly looking for someone who could spare around half an hour from 2pm on Fridays to help stack and put away our tables and chairs. If café shifts aren’t really your thing but you could occasionally provide a bit of muscle at closing time, we’d be very pleased to hear from you! 💪

Interested in that – or in helping with the café generally? Just send us a message or have a word with one of us when you’re in.

Please feel free to share – our next volunteer might be someone you know. 💙

Address

99 Main Street, Shadwell
Leeds
LS178HL

Telephone

0113 2656450

Website

http://www.shadwell-library.org.uk/

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