We hosted a special event on 4 February, attended by our Patron, Her Majesty the Queen. The dinner celebrated The London Library as one of the UK’s greatest literary institutions, highlighting its charitable work to support writers and widen access to its extensive resources.

Held in the Library’s atmospheric Reading Room, esteemed guests and Library supporters including Sir Tim Rice, Alexandra Shulman, Lady Antonia Fraser, John O’Farrell and Dame Caroline Michel were given an introduction by President of The London Library Helena Bonham Carter CBE. There was a speech from Sir Stephen Fry, and London Library Chair Simon Godwin introduced a participant of the Library’s Emerging Writer’s Programme, Katie Buckley, whose recent novel, Hero, was published by Hachette UK in January. Writer and London Library member, Christopher Simon Sykes also performed a song about the Library, written especially for the evening.

As Patron of The London Library, Her Majesty The Queen has supported the institution since 2012, within her current role and previously as Vice-Patron. A passionate champion of literacy in the UK and internationally, Her Majesty The Queen encourages a love of reading and writing from an early age. Her charity and book club The Queen’s Reading Room, works to advance education by providing opportunities for the appreciation of literature among adults and children in the UK and around the world.

London Library President, Helena Bonham Carter said, "I have the honour of being the President of The London Library. It is very easy to be astonished by the atmosphere of this place, we have 17 miles of books here, which is the equivalent of the underground Circle line. Thank you for becoming our Royal Patron and continuing the long line of Royal Patrons that the Library has been fortunate to have.”

Sir Stephen Fry said: "Thank you for your patronage, your support not just of The London Library, but of your support for books and writing everywhere. Just like The Queen’s Reading Room, this Library is open and welcoming to all. Here we are all equal citizens of the great kingdom of letters, the realm of reading, and here the highest possible doctrine is held for the value of books, the value of collections, the value of a sanctuary… where anybody who loves books is made to feel at home."

London Library Emerging Writer's Programme participant, Katie Buckley said: “EWP (as it’s affectionately called) is a lifechanging programme. Generosity is what underpins the thing that all new writers need – someone who will listen. A chain reaction of people holding out their hand and pulling you upwards... It has been the honour of my life to have begun my beginnings here and for that, I will be forever grateful.”

London Library Director, Philip Marshall said, “We were delighted to host a wonderful evening to celebrate The London Library as the home of literary inspiration. We are tremendously grateful to our Patron, Her Majesty The Queen, for her continued support as we aim to engage, inform and inspire many more readers and writers with our incredible resources.”

Photo: Dale Weeks

From the 1 February 2025, the Which? online subscription will no longer be available to members. The Which? print subscription will only be available until the summer of 2025, and then will also not be available to members. 

This is due to a series on online issues and a review of the suitability of the magazine within the Library's collections. If you would like to share your feedback, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Discover our expansive collections including eResources on Catalyst.

The London Library Emerging Writers Programme is now open for submissions for its seventh year. 

Geared towards supporting writers at the start of their career, the Programme is open to unpublished and unproduced writers of any discipline, over the age of 18 and from any background, who are committed to pursuing a career in writing and want to develop their work. 

Successful applicants will receive one year’s free membership of The London Library, alongside writing development masterclasses, networking opportunities, and peer support. They will be selected anonymously by a stellar panel of writers and literary agents. There is no application fee and participation on the Programme is funded by philanthropic donations. 

Applications close at 11am on Wednesday 26 February 2025.

Find out more information and how to apply

We're delighted that London Library Vice President Dame Caroline Michel DBE and Library members Sir Kazuo Ishiguro CH, Robert Harris CBE, and Sir Stephen Fry, have been included in the New Year’s 2025 Honours list.

London Library Vice President (2016-present), Dame Caroline Michel is currently serving CEO for literary agent Peters Fraser and Dunlop and has been given a damehood for her contributions throughout her career as a literary agent.

Sir Kazuo Ishiguro has been awarded the Companion of honour, of which only 65 are given at any one time, for his literary works following his knighthood in 2018.

A longstanding member and one of 10 members holding a Nobel Prize in Literature , Sir Kazuo Ishiguro has previously stated that his book Remains of the Day was inspired by The Danger Of Being a Gentleman by Harold J Laski, which he discovered while browsing the London Library shelves.

Robert Harris has been awarded a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for his contributions to literature. Robert has written several novels, and has worked as a journalist for the BBC, Panorama, Newsnight, and the Observer as a political editor.

Sir Stephen Fry has been knighted in recognition of his contributions towards mental health and the environment, and his roles as president of the charity Mind since 2011 and Vice President of conservation charity Fauna and Flora International since 2009. Sir Stephen Fry said of the Library that "What gyms can do for your body, this magical place can do for your mind”.

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