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”.

We are thrilled to announce that we have been selected to participate in Bloomberg Philanthropies Digital Accelerator Programme, which helps organisations like ours invest in essential digital infrastructure.

This incredible opportunity will help us improve our digital capabilities. It will support our objective to be fully welcoming, widen access and use of the Library’s collection and resources, and support our reputation as a centre for learning, creativity and inspiration.

Find out more

Member Notice: Scheduled Maintenance on Catalyst – 21st December

Essential maintenance work is planned for Saturday, 21 December 2024, from 05:00 to 18:00. For extended periods during this time, Library members will not be able to access eResources through Catalyst.

What does this mean for you?

  • If you are logged in and try to access eResources via Catalyst links, you’ll likely see an error message.
  • Going directly to an eResource without using Catalyst won’t work either, as you won’t be able to log in as a Library member.
  • Other parts of Catalyst, such as searching the catalogue, will still work as normal.

We’re sorry for any disruption this might cause. If you plan to use eResources, we recommend doing so outside this maintenance window.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

On 4 December, Library Vice President Alexandra Shulman and Chair of Trustees Simon Godwin hosted Library supporters at the President’s Christmas Party. The annual event, held in our atmospheric Reading Room, celebrates and thanks the vibrant community of people who support The London Library through their philanthropy. Guests enjoyed readings from Andrew O’Hagan, Olivia Williams and Stephen Fry and music from Johnny Flynn & The Sheldrakes. 

Founders’ Circle patrons are first on the guestlist for the biannual President’s parties, in addition to being invited to a varied programme of exclusive events in and outside the Library. To find out more, please visit the Patrons webpage or contact our Patrons team at patrons@londonlibrary.co.uk

Meanwhile at the members’ Christmas Party on Wednesday 11 December, members toasted the festive season with drinks, nibbles and readings from Library Trustee, actress, director, lecturer and award-winning writer Anni Domingo and bestselling novelist and freelance TV executive Samuel Burr.  

Samuel read from his internationally bestselling debut novel, The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers, and Anni read The Boy Who Laughed At Santa Claus, by Ogden Nash, a light-hearted poem that warns of the dangers of mocking the man in red.

 

  1. The London Library showcases bright new writing talent with the publication of From the Silence of the Stacks, New Voices Rise, Vol. V.
  2. The London Library Christmas card 2024
  3. The Capital Campaign: Building Connections Update
  4. Basement consultation results: movement of collections
  5. Update: St James's Square entrance is open

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