Welcome to The London Library
Welcome to The London Library and thank you for joining our community of readers, writers and thinkers. We hope that you will be inspired by everything you find here. The following information is for new members but may also be of use to anyone using the Library.
The Library is currently closed but we are expecting to be able to reopen on 12 April. Please ensure you check our website and newsletters to keep up-to-date with any changes.
Membership number and sign-in information
In order to access the full range of electronic resources and catalogue features for example eJournals and eBooks, you will first need to sign-up to the single sign-on service. To complete the process, you will need your 5-digit membership number and the email address you registered with the Library. Please follow the instructions here to sign-up for the first time.
Once you have completed the process, you will use your email address and an 8-character (minimum) password of your choice to sign-in on subsequent occasions. Your membership number should have been sent to you in an email when you joined but should you need a reminder, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
If you have any problems with the sign-up process, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Your membership card
Full and Associate members will receive a membership card and information on how to use the Library on their first visit to the Library. Please bring your card with you whenever you visit as you will need it to gain access to the building, borrow books and make use of other facilities. Please bring two forms of identification with you on your first visit – one including a photo (e.g. passport, driving licence, travel card, student card, ID card) and one including confirmation of your current address (e.g. driving licence, recent bank statement or utility bill).
Your card remains valid for the duration of your membership. If your card is lost or stolen, please contact us on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
We are currently unable to offer face-to-face inductions for new members but our Member Services team are more than happy to answer any questions that you have via phone or email. Contact them on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Inside the Library
If you'd like to view some of our collection and our reading and writing spaces before you visit, take a look at our 3D tour below. Alternatively use the button below to view it full screen.
Borrowing Books
Search the online catalogue (Catalyst) and select items for collection at the Library or by post. Or book a day pass to browse the stacks and take out items at the issue desk.
You can also borrow by email by requesting items at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
You can find detailed information on searching the catalogue, browsing and borrowing on our dedicated website page.
Returning books
You can post books back to us either to our Mason's Yard address (20 Mason's Yard, London SW1Y 6BU) or when we are closed through the letterbox at our St James's Square entrance.
Postal loans
To borrow a book by post follow the instructions above on borrowing and in the ‘notification method’ select ‘send the book’.
Materials can be posted to members worldwide, usually the cost of postage is payable but we have currently waived these charges if you have a UK address. If you need to update the address that we post to, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Borrowing entitlements
Members have an allowance of 10 or 15 volumes on loan at any time (the higher allowance for Full members who live more than 20 miles from the Library). This can be increased, to a maximum of 40, for a fee. Due to the coronavirus measures, all Library members have had their book allowance increased by 5. To increase your allowance further please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone us on 020 7766 4720.
Loan periods
Most books can be kept for at least one month initially and then renewed as needed unless requested by another member. New books are available to borrow for 14 days; they may be renewed if not requested by another member.
There are no overdue fines but we do ask that loans are kept up-to-date and that books are returned to the Library for renewal every year. All members are liable for the full cost of replacing any books not returned or renewed on request, that are outstanding at the end of membership or if they are significantly damaged.
Visiting The Library
Members currently need to book to visit the library, please read all of the information on our reopening pages before your visit.
Opening times
The Library is currently closed.
When we re-open our opening hours are:
- Monday-Tuesday: 10am-9pm
- Wednesday-Friday: 10am-5.30pm
- Saturday: 9.30am-5.30pm
Full members may book to use the spaces at any time, Associate members can book day passes after 5pm weekdays and all day Saturday, Remote Access members can reserve book collection/drop off slots.
We have bike storage at the back of the Library in Mason’s Yard, if you would like to use this please let us know in advance on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. as we will need to create your membership card with special access to the bike shed in advance of your visit.
Reading rooms and desks
The Library has 3 reading rooms on the 1st floor above the Issue Hall, a lightwell reading room on the lower ground floor and non-quiet reading rooms in the 6th Floor Suite. There are also a number of individual desks located around the stacks.
The Sackler Study is a quiet, laptop-free space and laptops are currently allowed in the main Reading Room due to reduced seating capacity across the main reading rooms.
In total, 84 desks are currently available - desks and chairs are spaced in accordance with the social distancing policy being applied throughout the Library. Additional cleaning services are in operation.
View a floorplan of the building.
Browsing the stacks and the classification system
Members with a day pass are free to browse our 17 miles of bookstacks. The Library uses its own classification system which maximises the potential for browsing specific subject areas. Books are arranged alphabetically by subject and then by author. Library staff at the Issue Desk are always on hand to help members find materials and you can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for assistance.
Library Services
Enquires and references
Staff are on hand to help with member enquiries, bibliographic checking and subject searching. Where enquiries fall outside the scope of the collections, staff will identify appropriate alternative libraries and collections. For assistance please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The collection and closed access areas
Members have access to all of our collections but those in closed access areas (4% of the collection) need to be requested in advance. Some of this material can be borrowed but some will need to be accessed on site. Currently these sessions will need to be arranged at least 24 hours in advance by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and can be offered Monday-Friday between 10am-5pm.
Using our online catalogue - Catalyst
Access Catalyst from anywhere via the ‘Search the Catalogue’ link on the Library’s website. The online catalogue provides access to almost all of the physical collection and all of our digital resources. You will find a short video explaining how to use Catalyst on the catalogue’s homepage.
In order to access the full range of electronic resources and catalogue features for example eJournals and eBooks, you will first need to sign-up to the single sign-on service. To complete the process, you will need your 5-digit membership number and the email address you registered with the Library. Please follow the instructions here to sign-up for the first time.
Once you have completed the process, you will use your email address and an 8-character (minimum) password of your choice to sign-in on subsequent occasions. Your membership number should have been sent to you in an email when you joined but should you need a reminder, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
If you have any problems with the sign-up process, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
You will find a short video explaining how to use Catalyst on the catalogue’s homepage.
Collection guides
Printed guides to some individual areas of the collection can be downloaded from our website.
Book Suggestions
Members can suggest books to be acquired for the Library collection by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Inter-Library loans
The Library participates in the Inter-Library loan scheme - requesting materials from other national and international libraries. If we do not hold something you need we may be able to borrow it on your behalf. Please note there is currently disruption to this service due to Coronavirus.
Online Resources
Members can access the Library’s extensive range of online resources in the Library and at home. Find information about our online resources here.
eJournals and databases
All of the eJournals and databases the Library subscribes to can be found by title on Catalyst, in addition to other open-access holdings.
Periodicals
The Library subscribes to over 300 online newspapers, magazines and journals as well as providing access to thousands more through services such as JSTOR. Many of these can be accessed via Catalyst and the full range can be found on the Library’s eJournals page.
Books and journals
Some of the Library’s books and journals are not currently listed in the online catalogue. Titles are constantly being updated and staff are always able to assist if you are unable to find what you are looking for, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for assistance.
Using the Library
Entering and leaving the building and the Issue Hall
We are operating a one way in/out system - please enter via St James’s Square and leave via Mason’s Yard. Mason’s Yard will no longer be an entrance route. Members requiring level access to the buildings should use the T. S. Eliot House entrance on Mason’s Yard (opposite the White Cube gallery).
To support social distancing three separate lanes have been installed in the Issue Hall.
-The Issue Desk lane is for members to collect pre-ordered books and use other Issue desk services such as book enquiries.
-A Fast Lane provides direct access into the rest of Library for members wanting to access the book stacks or desks. Members will need to give their name to Reception before entering this lane.
-The Exit Lane is for anyone leaving the building and leads to the exit via the Mason’s Yard door.
Food, drink and phones
The 6th floor members kitchen is currently closed. Water in a screw-top bottle can be consumed around the Library and you may eat in the study areas on the 6th floor but members should try to plan to leave the building to consume food. Phone, Skype and similar calls are only permitted in the 6th Floor Suite, one booth is available to book.
Bags
We are not currently using the lockers in Reception, coat cupboards are available for members to leave bags at their own risk, alternatively members can currently take their bags into the Library spaces.
WiFi and computer use
Free WiFi is located around the Library and can be accessed using your sign-in details. (See Membership number and sign-in information) if you are signing-in for the first time. Laptops can currently be used anywhere other than the Sackler Study - plug sockets are found at most desks. Desktop computers are not currently available. Members can print to the printers in the Writers' Room and the Times Room but we are currently unable to offer other reprographic services (photocopying, scanning) or IT support.
Fire
In the event of a fire alarm please follow the signs to the nearest exit and evacuate immediately or wait at the nearest refuge point and use the call button to alert staff.
Access requirements
Members with access requirements may contact Reception at any time on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to find out how we can meet their needs. This includes level access to the building, lifts to many of the Library’s spaces, accessible toilets, and screen readers.
