The Edward Boyle Library

On what would have been Edward Boyle's 100th birthday, Leeds alumni share their memories of his iconic library.

A striking blend of concrete and glass, the Edward Boyle Library holds a place in the hearts of generations of Leeds graduates.

In the 1950s, University Vice-Chancellor Lord Boyle of Handsworth, known to us as Edward Boyle, envisioned a modern, comprehensive library that would cater to the needs of an expanding academic community.

In 1975, the doors finally opened to the Edward Boyle Library, a brutalist structure which divided architectural enthusiasts, yet soon became an iconic part of Leeds campus. 

Love it or hate it, generations of Leeds students have tapped into the ‘Eddy B’s’ vast collections, studied there late into the night, and used it as a meeting point with friends.

Last month marked what would have been the 100th birthday of Edward Boyle. We've gathered your memories of the iconic library to celebrate.

And it's not too late to share your own memories using our form, or join the discussion on our Facebook post.

Nigel Bromley (History 1985)

As a history student and an active drummer during my time at Leeds I recall meeting band members at the Edward Boyle as a pick up point for gigs and having to spend hours there and at the Brotherton catching up on lectures I'd missed because of gigs! It all turned out ok in the end - I graduated and went on to play in Wham!, The Beat and other bands over many years then and since.

Alex Fowles (Economics & Transport Studies 2015)

For me, my main memory was always finding something interesting and thought provoking to read. I would have a clear idea as to what I was looking for but then find something else on a tangent which would take my attention away. Several hours later procrastination would have taken over and I wouldn't have found the research I was after, but I would have learnt about something completely obscure and not required for the assignment I was submitting.

Gontzal Camara Egana (Mathematics 2022)

I remember leaving the library every day at around midnight, Monday to Friday, during my first two years at university. Then, Covid-19 hit and all of that changed.

Rianna Julian English Literature 2017

Level 'Flirteen' - the noisiest floor full of secret lovers, admirers and where I decided to completely change my dissertation question with only three months to go until the deadline!

Jill Grimshaw (French 1976)

Studying until late in my final year and then dashing to the Union bar for last drinks. On one occasion, I was told not to use the lifts as Princess Alexandra was visiting the library. I decided to use the stairs and met her party coming up! Not sure whether I curtsied.

Nicola Hodgkinson (Sociology 1993)

I remember falling asleep. The quiet and the privacy of those little wooden study booths was bliss! Some of the best sleep I had as a (usually hungover) student.

Amanda Nottingham (Adult Nursing 2013)

The little booths by the windows were my favourite haunt. I used to get settled and lose myself in my studies, the Eddy B was always my favourite library for quiet. Those little booths also tapped into every Enid Blyton-esque boarding school childhood fantasy I had too!

Caroline Hartley (English 1994)

Very happy memories of studying on the top floor of the Edward Boyle although once I was a victim of the infamous flump man who left marshmallow sweets at the feet of unsuspecting students in the early 90s!

Richard Buchan (Electrical and Electronic Engineering 1984)

The best piece of dental hygiene advice was carved into the surround on one of the desks. It read "forget about your teeth and they'll soon go away".

Barry Oliver (Control Engineering 1978)

The Library was brand new when I started at Leeds. I spent a fair few hours in there revising (and also looking through the collection of very old engineering magazines!). I still have my computer entry and book loan card in my old Union card holder. Happy Days!

Oindrila Das (MSc Geotechnical Engineering 2022)

I loved to study in the west wing of 11 level. Those small cubicles reminded me of my study room back home. Edward Boyle was not just a library; it became an inseparable part of Leeds life with countless nights studying with other people, finishing group projects and making new friends. This is not just a library, Edward Boyle is an emotion.

Jennie Brighton (German and Italian 2017)

I remember spending copious amounts of time in there, studying, writing assignments and seeing various friends across the computer room. But my main highlight was filling out an application for a year abroad internship / international CV which required a photo. So, I went to the toilet and took a selfie in order to complete the application. Said photo will always be referred to as the "Eddy B" toilet selfie. It's come in handy for various things and still features on my railcard even now.

I had the honour to be introduced to the Queen during her 1987 visit to West Berlin. To my surprise, she knew more about me than I myself. Before the meeting, I was coached for two days – facial expressions, what I was allowed to say, how to speak etc. It was a milestone in my life, of which I have, even at the age of 82, vivid memories.

A chance encounter: Elsa Gonçalves (Artificial Intelligence 1996)

On 15th March 1996, it was my first day at Leeds and my Erasmus counsellor told me to take the rest of the day off and visit the city. So I did. When I was passing the City Hall I saw lots of police and asked what was going on, and a policeman told me that the Queen was in the building and was coming out to greet people. So I waited and the Queen was right in front of me as she received some flowers. It was such a nice first day in Leeds.

Zoe Speirs (Medical Sciences 2019)

I was the 100th water bottle to fill on level 11 when the new water dispenser system came in!

Kathryn Garton (Civil Engineering 1992)

We studied for all our exams there. We all had our set spots by third year on the floor with all the past papers. My technique by then was to go back as many years as I could and make sure I could answer all the questions. Such a great tactic because my lecturer repeated an exam from ten years before and I got a first. We smoked like chimneys on the steps outside.

Joe Roberts (History 2006)

Buying a sandwich and newspaper and camping out all day trying to meet the Friday 12pm deadline!

John Goymer (Politics and Sociology 1979)

It was a wonderful facility and to my eternal shame I passed by it many times on my way to the pub.

Chris Taylor (Philosophy 2002)

I didn't go as often as I should, that's for sure. But I do remember squirrelling myself away in it one long afternoon to try and crack Edmund Husserl. He won: but the experience of feeling like a "proper academic" - if only fleeting for that long afternoon - has stayed with me.

Phil Jackson (Biochemistry 1987)

Staff and students who worked in labs often kept their white lab coats on when visiting the library. There was no health and safety policy in place to restrict the wearing of lab coats outside the lab.

Hayley Roberts (Geography & Social Policy 2010)

I still remember visiting for the first time - a library of scale and size I'd never experienced before - like something you only see on TV. Some would call it ugly, I always thought it to be pretty cool - the sharp edges, a great mass of concrete, the smell of books, a melting pot of people. Learning to use the machines and your student ID for the first time. Hitting your fines limit in the first year, because you forgot to return that book on a priority loan from the short loan section - spending what little you had on booze and food, rather than paying off fees!

I remember racing to get particular texts straight after a lecture, only to be pipped to the post by another classmate, before getting smarter about hiding books so someone else couldn't find them (don't gasp in horror - surely we're all guilty of this?!).

It became home in final year - a place I holed up in whatever the weather, to make the commute for three hours of lectures worthwhile. I'm not sure I'd have graduated, had I not had this safe space to read, research, type, SLEEP (!) and watch the world go by.

I feel nostalgic just thinking about it, and although it's been a while, I remember like it was yesterday. Long live the Eddy B, and that giant staircase right outside.

Onward Lam (Computer Science and Economics 1983)

I remember the nooks on Level 11 where the quiet cubicles were and the many students having an afternoon nap there. Everyone seemed to have their favourite spots. Level 8 was always quite deserted. I remember making photocopies on Level 9 near the entrance and those counters we had to insert into the copier.

Zahidah Ghazali (Law 1992)

Michael Holloway (Economic History 1980)

I remember late nights, cramming before year one and year three finals, and also its vastness - it was bigger than any library I'd ever seen. I met and made mates there. Very proud to be at Leeds University.

Maksims Galkins (Computer Science with AI 2022)

After graduating, I had two weeks free before leaving Leeds for good. I spent the majority of the time in Edward Boyle library, enjoying the stunning architecture and browsing the collections (including the basement archive) to find books on random topics that interested me.

Basil Shead (Mechanical Engineering 2015)

So many memories! Whether it be the collaborative areas downstairs as it were, or the quiet working areas upstairs, I spent many hours working in the Eddy B. The routine of getting to the library with my coursemates or housemates and settling in for the day was one I really enjoyed, and found it to be a great environment to learn and study as part of my course.

Damian McDonald (Civil Engineering 1983)

I would find a cubby hole out of the way and run through aircraft structures examples. Then I'd take a break for a fag on the back staircase which stank of nicotine.

Ophelia Chan (MSc Geographical Information Systems 2014)

I enjoy reading the latest GIS book collections at the level 12 individual study space. It was my best place to study and plan for my essay writing.

Dr Mohammed Ayub Ayub (Hospital Management 2000)

Though we had a nice library in the Nuffield Institute, studying late in Edward Boyle held a charm of it own. We had the opportunity to meet students from other departments across the campus and really found it a lovely and amazing experience. I still have friends in UK and other countries from Edward Boyle era . Thanks Edward Boyle Library and Leeds alumni.

Emma Stirrat (Sociology and Psychology 2007)

I remember going through a period of severe depression, sat in the Edward Boyle alone during the Christmas break unable to focus or take in any of my course readings. At the start of the new year I got help from the University's student counselling service and student medical practice. Two and a half years later after graduating with a 2:1, I was interviewed in the Library for a graduate trainee position and I got it! The only thing is it was working in the Brotherton Library.

Simon Barnett (Law 1992)

I had a KitKat and a hot chocolate in the café before lectures.

James Horrocks (Russian Studies 2012)

I remember joining an introductory tour of the Edward Boyle library in my third year, having survived the first two years of my course without having stepped foot in any of the University's incredible libraries.

Granted, my first year mainly consisted of getting to know the campus and its more 'social' facilities, and my second year was abroad in Moscow, but, by the time I got back, the Edward Boyle provided some much needed resources to aid my quest to avoid disappointing my parents.

Richard Hutchinson (History 1984)

Sweetest memory was spotting a girl I knew (and really fancied) going to the lift to leave the history floor - and promptly running down the stairs to 'accidently' bump into her, as if I was just arriving - the rest was history...

Tom Barney (Linguistics & Phonetics 1984)

I remember that in my first year it became the Edward Boyle; previously it had been the South Library. Edward Boyle died just a week or two before I came up.

Alfred Kotol (MA International Educational Management 2007)

I rushed to the library on the last date for submission of the course assignments and found it full of the undergraduate students who were trying to beat the deadline for submission. I eventually failed to find reading space and had to sit comfortably on the floor.

Mike O'Connor (Economic & Management Studies 1995)

My foremost memory of the Edward Boyle was doing step sprints for rugby league training. Not very academic and not what it was built for, though it was character building! I did venture inside on occasion and remember the cubicle desks which were great for focusing and shutting out the world.

Luke MacConnell (Economics 2021)

The Eddy B Spiderman. Someone channelled their inner Spider-Man and crawled across the ledge of floor 12.

Catherine O'Riordan (History of Art 2012)

Level 13 silent study for endless essay writing and research, before popping to the cafe for a diet coke and a panini. Also remember seeing loads of people hanging out/sitting/reading along the glass wall outside.

Kirsty Martin (née Brown) (English Literature & Theatre Studies 2002)

I loved reading and working (or secretly chatting to a friend!) in one of the secluded cubicles at the far side of the Eddy B library, with views across the campus.

Acatia Finbow (Managing Performance 2012)

I remember, after one of our final year performance project rehearsals, sitting up in Eddy B with a friend from my course. We were working on our project essays and suddenly saw, out of the window, one of our project tutors wheeling a rack of costumes out of the Stage@Leeds building, all the way along the winding path...wearing a very large sombrero. He seemed completely oblivious to everyone else, as we sat up on the 3rd or 4th floor watching him slowly make his way over to the rehearsal room, sombrero gently flapping in the breeze.