21st CENTURY APPEAL
The London Library is currently undertaking its most significant building development project in over a century. The project includes the addition of a contiguous neighbouring building, which is increasing the Library’s total site by approximately 30%, together with major refurbishment and additions to the existing building. The first phase of the project, making the new building fit for Library purpose, was completed in late-summer 2007: the building has been equipped with extensive areas for bookstacks for future growth and also includes the Library’s first dedicated Conservation Studio.
The successful addition of the new building gives us crucial breathing space to work towards all the improvements we need to make in the 'old' Library building. A good and costly part of this is the replacement or upgrading of plumbing and electrical services throughout the 15 miles of shelving in the bookstacks.
The other major elements of the planned improvements and additions include:
- 3 new floors of bookstacks
- an entirely new additional Reading Room at roof-top level
- below it a Members' Room and roof terrace
- and a remodelled and extended Art Room
Most importantly, the next phase gives the opportunity to integrate fully the new buliding into the existing site, which will allow the book collections to spread in logical sequence into the new open-access stacks and for the full benefits of all the additional space to become available for members. The successful completion of the project will allow the Library to continue to maintain and add to its collections in the most cost-effective way on a single site for at least the next 25 years, and to provide its unique open-access service for future generations of readers and writers to enjoy.
The project is being entirely funded by charitable grants and donations. Well over half the estimated project total of £25.7 million has already been raised, but we urgently need further support to complete the works.
Click here to make a secure online donation.The Library extends its warmest gratitude to those members and friends who have already given so generously to the Development Fund.
For more information on the progress of the project, please contact Lottie Cole on 020-7766 4716 or lottie.cole@londonlibrary.co.uk
