Benefits of joining The London Library

Founded in 1841 The London Library is one of the world’s great lending libraries. An extraordinary history, a vast borrowing collection and an outstanding building make this a unique place to read, to write and to be inspired. 

Outstanding resources

Membership of The London Library offers access to an extensive collection of around one million books dating from 1700 to the present day, almost all of which can be borrowed. The collection covers more than 2,000 subjects with c.6,000 new books added annually. Browse 17 miles of open access shelves for an unforgettable voyage of literary discovery!

Members can access hundreds of current journals and periodicals, with backruns of 2,500 titles. We also provide an extensive range of electronic resources – from JSTOR periodicals, databases and newspapers – giving members online access, from anywhere in the world, to over 25,000 academic journals and other scholarly resources.

Amazing spaces to work, think and create

Inside the Library there’s a vast labyrinth of books, hidden corners and beautiful working spaces. From elegant reading rooms, meeting rooms and information work spaces, to atmospheric bookstacks, it’s a unique literary oasis in the heart of London.

A creative community and inspiration for over 180 years

From Sarah Waters to Kazuo Ishiguro; Charles Dickens to TS Eliot; Virginia Woolf to Bram Stoker; we’ve been at the heart of literature for over 180 years. A home for anyone who loves the written word, we would love you to join them.

Membership types

All Memberships include:

• Access to our unique collection of one million books, journals and periodicals
• E-library access at home including JSTOR, Newspapers and academic journals
• Borrowing rights of 10 or 15 books at a time with an increased allowance available
• Long loan periods
• Discounts on our events programme
• London Library magazine
• Research and reference assistance
• Postal loan service

Full Membership

• Full access to the Library building during open hours (6 days a week and at least 2 late evenings until 9pm)
• More than 150 spaces to read or work including four reading rooms or a choice of individual study spaces

• Voting and AGM attendance helping to shape the Library

Associate Membership

• Access to the Library building evenings and weekends - from 5 - 9pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and some Wednesdays, and all day on Fridays and Saturdays

Remote Membership

• Access to the Library building only to collect and return books.

Patron Membership 

• Access to bespoke patron-only events, behind-the-scenes tours, and visits to some of the UK’s best private collections, as well as the benefits of Full Library membership

Find out more here or contact the Patrons Team:

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Prospective Member Tours

We are able to offer 15-minute Prospective Member Tours if you book in advance by contacting This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

If you have any questions about membership please contact Membership on 020 7766 4720 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We hope to welcome you to the Library soon!

Joining Online

Should you have any queries, please contact Membership at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 020 7766 4720.

FAQs

Membership

Can anyone join The London Library?

Yes and we no longer require details of a referee.

Is there a waiting list?

No; the Library welcomes all applications for membership.

Is it possible to visit the Library before joining?

Yes! We offer 15-minute Prospective Member Tours if you book in advance.

 Book here

Alternatively, people considering joining the Library are also normally welcome to purchase a daily or weekly ticket in order to experience some of the benefits of membership in advance. Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more details and please note that we usually need at least 72 hours notice. People with daily or weekly tickets may only view items inside the Library. Daily tickets £35. Weekly tickets £140. 

If you have any questions about membership, please contact Membership on 020 7766 4720 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Why is there a membership fee?

The Library is an independent charity and is financed entirely from membership subscriptions, donations and the prudent management of its capital resources. It receives no government or statutory funding.

How can I apply for annual membership?

You can join online or request an application form from the Library. Applications will be submitted for authorisation and should be processed within one week.

Is there a shorter type of membership?

A limited numbers of Temporary Reference Tickets are available to individuals needing short-term access to Library materials not elsewhere readily accessible. Please see Daily and Weekly tickets on the join page for further information.

Can annual membership be taken out on the spot?

No; all applications for annual membership are submitted for authorisation by the Library. Once the application has been authorised and payment arranged, the applicant may start using the Library. Please allow up to a week for the application to be processed.

Is it possible to give someone membership of the Library?

Yes; Gift membership is available throughout the year. 

Is there a student membership?

There is no membership related specifically to student status, but any applicant aged 16 to 29 may take out full membership of the Library at a special reduced rate. In addition, the London Library Trust offers Supported membership to any members and prospective members aged over 29 who need to make use of the Library but for whom the full subscription would be a real barrier to membership. Assistance normally covers 30%, or in exceptional cases 60% of the annual subscription.

Is there a discount for people aged over 60?

No, but see the previous answer concerning Supported membership.

How can I pay my subscription?

The subscription may be paid in annual, quarterly or monthly instalments and by a variety of payment methods. Please see the application forms for further details.

I am a member of the Library. Can I bring a visitor with me?

Members are welcome to introduce prospective members to the Library, or to bring a visitor for a short tour of the Library. For fire and security purposes all visitors must sign in at Reception and must remain with the member at all times.

About Library Services and Facilities

How many books does the Library have?

There are approximately 1 million volumes in total in the Library's collection; the majority of books and periodicals are housed on-site at 14 St James's Square, although we do hold a small number of publications in an off-site store. These are usually duplicates of titles which are available electronically through the online catalogue (Catalyst), although we can bring volumes back to site for consultation on request.​

What subjects does the Library cover?

The subject range is mainly within the humanities, and the collection is particularly strong in history, literature (including fiction), biography, art, philosophy, religion and related fields. Our Science & Miscellaneous collections are frequently cited by our members as their favourite for serendipitous research. Textbooks are not within the Library's scope nor titles that may be regarded as 'how to' or 'self-help' in any of our collected subjects. Works on current technology, business, law, medicine and the hard sciences are not within the Library's scope, although material on the history of all of these subjects is held. 

Does the Library still acquire new books?

Yes; approximately 6,000 volumes are added to the Library each year across all of the subject areas of the collections (see above). Members are invited to make suggestions for books that they wish to consult to be acquired by the Library.

Does the Library hold periodicals?

The Library maintains current subscriptions to over 400 print and online journals and also holds extensive collections of nineteenth- and twentieth-century journals and magazines. Most back numbers of periodicals - excluding the most recent issues - are available for loan. There is also online access to thousands of titles through our subscription to JSTOR, an online archive of journals.

We also subscribe a selection of online resources and databases that complement our print holdings; these include key newspaper archives, collections of 18^th century materials, art history research materials, British History Online and many more.

Is the Library's stock on open access?

The vast majority of the stock is on open shelves to which members have free access; a small number of rarer or more fragile items are available only on request, which can then be consulted under invigilation. Some items are housed in an off-site store but can be brough back for consultation on request.

Can books be borrowed?

Almost all Library materials may be borrowed.

How many books can be borrowed?

We allow a maximum loan allowance of 15 for all members. Those who wish to borrow more than 15 books at any one time are able to increase their allowance for an additional fee in sets of five up to 40.

How long can books be borrowed for?

Books may be kept on loan for one month, or longer if not recalled by another member. After two months loans should be renewed (online or by email, telephone, or letter): it is not necessary to bring books to the Library in order to renew them. New books (acquired in the last four months) may be kept for two weeks.

Is there Wi-Fi at the Library?

Yes; there is free Wi-Fi across the Library.

Are electronic publications available?

A growing range of subscription electronic reference works, databases and e-journal titles, databases and e-journal titles (including Jstor) are available both at the Library and to members using their computers at home.

Is it possible to consult the Library's catalogues online?

Approximately 95% of the Library's holdings can be found by searching our online catalogue (known as Catalyst). Work is continuing to make the remaining 5% of our holdings available online as soon as possible. 

Can laptop computers be used at the Library?

Yes; there are three Reading Rooms where laptops can be used at all the desks, and there are tables in the bookstacks where laptops can also be used.

How accessible is the Library?

There is a level entrance into the Library from Mason's Yard and a platform lift may be used from that entrance to the Reception area. A wheelchair-accessible passenger lift transports members to most parts of the building, but some of the older historic parts are only reachable by stairs. Staff are happy to retrieve books for members on request and can do this ahead of your visit so that materials are ready for consultation as soon as you arrive. Accessible toilets are provided in the Basement of the building, and an induction loop is installed in the Issue Hall. If you have particular access-related queries please contact Reception (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) who will be happy to help.

Are refreshments available at the Library?

The 6th Floor Members' suite is available for members to eat food they bring in and a coffee machine is provided.

Can I make phone calls?

While most of the Library is a silent zone where phone calls are not permitted, the 6th Floor Members' suite is an area where members can make calls and hold conversations. For heavy phone/Skype use, special booths are provided where members can make calls without disturbing others and these can be booked in advance.

Are there any meeting rooms?

The Annex on the 6th floor can be booked for meetings for groups of two to six persons by contacting This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The booths can be used for meetings involving only one member. Booking requests must be made at least 24 hours in advance and any non-members attending must purchase a Temporary Ticket for that day. 

Does the Library hold evening events?

Yes. we have an active programme of talks and events with paid-for talks for members and non-members in the Reading Room and regular free events in the 6th floors members' suite. See our event page.

Is there anywhere I can park my bike if I cycle to the Library?

A cycle shed is currently provided next to the Mason's Yard entrance. Please enquire at Reception for further details.

Benefits of joining The London Library

Founded in 1841 The London Library is one of the world’s great lending libraries. An extraordinary history, a vast borrowing collection and an outstanding building make this a unique place to read, to write and to be inspired. 

Outstanding resources

Membership of The London Library offers access to an extensive collection of more than one million books dating from 1700 to the present day, almost all of which can be borrowed. The collection covers more than 2,000 subjects with c.6,000 new books added annually. Browse 17 miles of open access shelves for an unforgettable voyage of literary discovery!

Members can access hundreds of current journals and periodicals, with backruns of 2,500 titles. We also provide an extensive range of electronic resources – from JSTOR periodicals, databases and newspapers – giving members online access, from anywhere in the world, to over 25,000 academic journals and other scholarly resources.

Amazing spaces to work, think and create

Inside the Library there’s a vast labyrinth of books, hidden corners and beautiful working spaces. From elegant reading rooms, meeting rooms and information work spaces, to atmospheric bookstacks, it’s a unique literary oasis in the heart of London.

A creative community and inspiration for over 175 years

From Sarah Waters to Kazuo Ishiguro; Charles Dickens to TS Eliot; Virginia Woolf to Bram Stoker; we’ve been at the heart of literature for over 175 years. A home for anyone who loves the written word, we would love you to join them.

Membership types

All Memberships include:

• Access to our unique collection of one million books, journals and periodicals
• E-library access at home including JSTOR, Newspapers and academic journals
• Borrowing rights of 15 books at a time with an increased allowance available
• Discounts on our events programme
• Members Quarterly Magazine
• Research and reference assistance
• Postal loan service

Full Membership

• Full access to the Library building during open hours (6 days a week and at least 2 late evenings until 9pm)
• More than 150 spaces to read or work including four reading rooms or a choice of individual study spaces

• Voting and AGM attendance helping to shape the Library

Associate Membership

• Full borrowing rights plus access to the Library building at the following times:
  • Mondays and Tuesdays: 5.00pm-9.00pm
  • Wednesdays: 5.00pm-5.30pm with some 5.00pm-9.00pm
  • Thursdays: 5.00pm-5.30pm
  • Fridays and Saturdays: 9.30am-5.30pm

Remote Membership

• Full borrowing rights and access to the Library building only to collect and return books.
  

We offer 15-minute Prospective Member Tours for those wishing to see the Library before taking out a membership. Please complete this form to book your slot.*

*In the interest of tailoring the tour to your needs, please note that each booking is for one person only, and bringing guests to the tour is not recommended. 

If none of the time slots are available, please check back for new slots. We release new slots regularly.