Supported

Reduced-rate Full Membership for those on lower incomes

Supported London Library Membership is available for members or prospective members unable to meet the full annual fee of London Library membership. Supported members enjoy the same benefits of Full, Off-peak or Remote Membership at a reduced rate.

Supported London Library Membership offers access to our unique collection of one million volumes and thousands of online resources, a community of writers, and a beautiful building in the heart of London designed for browsing, focused work and silence. Surrounded by books and a unique connection to literary history, there's no better place to read, write, research and be inspired.

Full members enjoy access to the Library building six days a week, including Saturdays and two late evenings until 9pm. Inside are 160 desks located in five atmospheric reading rooms and amongst the bookstacks.

Join now and meet your new community.

Membership includes

Access to our unique collection of one million volumes, journals and periodicals for you to freely browse, borrow and discover
Thousands of eResources including JSTOR, The British Newspaper Archive (Library edition), academic journals and eBooks available from within the Library or at home
15 books to borrow at a time for long loan periods, with the opportunity to increase your lending allowance
A postal loan service

Knowledgeable staff to assist with research and reference enquiries
Five atmospheric reading rooms and 160 desks in our beautiful building in the heart of London
Discounts on our events programme, member exclusive events, special interest member groups
London Library Magazine
AGM voting rights to help shape the Library's future.

Application information

Members or prospective members unable to meet the full annual fee of London Library membership may be eligible for Supported membership. Supported membership is available to applicants who may be pursuing a course of study, undertaking research, writing a book, or simply needing the Library’s resources for other reasons compatible with its aim of advancing education, learning and knowledge. Supported members enjoy all of the benefits of Full membership. The Library can also offer Remote and Associate Supported membership so please specify if you are applying for either of these membership types.

This is available to anyone aged 30 or over and the amount of subsidy will depend on your household income. The amount and duration of any subsidy provided is at the discretion of the Library. The Library reserves the right to request evidence of the information provided by the applicant, and to make, vary and withdraw assistance at its discretion and without giving its reasons. Supported membership must be reapplied for annually.

All information will be treated as confidential and will be used only for the purpose of considering the application. Assistance provided under the Supported membership scheme should be acknowledged in any resultant publication, and a copy of that publication presented to the Library on completion.

Please complete the application form via the 'apply' button above. Once you have submitted your application, please allow up to a week for your application to be reviewed. We will contact you to arrange payment. For any further information or advice, please contact our Membership team.