Changes to Laidlaw Library

Work begins to create more study space

To meet student demand, we are making some changes in the Laidlaw Library to create more seating and study areas.

As part of this process, we are editing and reorganising Laidlaw's book collections. Older volumes that have not been borrowed in over five years will be removed, creating space for more desks.

Any textbook that appears on a reading list will be kept as part of our responsible stewardship of the collections. While our membership of the UK Print Book Collection means we will also keep all volumes which are unique to Leeds or in very low numbers elsewhere across the country.

You can still find physical and digital editions of texts via Library Search. Please contact a member of customer services at the reception desk if you need help finding items.

This project will run until the summer but is designed to cause minimal noise or disruption for our users, especially during term time and the Easter break. 

All areas of the Laidlaw Library will remain accessible, and all books will remain available throughout the process. No major furniture moves or desk installation will occur until after the examination period. 

However, you can also use Spacefinder if you want to find alternative study spaces during this time.

All project works, including catalogue edits and the installation of new workstations, will be completed in time for the start of the next academic year in September 2026.

If you have queries, please contact Louise Birch (Collections Management Team Manager) on L.V.Birch@leeds.ac.uk