The London Library Postal Loans service enables members to borrow Library books from the comfort of their own homes without needing to visit the Library. 

Simply browse the online catalogue for a book (or several) and select Request - Pickup location – home address and we will post them to you.

Parcels are sent by Royal Mail. Currently, there is no fee for postage and members can borrow 15 books at any one time.

How to use the Postal Loans service: 

1. Log in to Catalyst 

2. Browse for the book(s) you would like to borrow

3. Select ‘Request – pickup location – home address

4. Wait for your books to be delivered by Royal Mail

Of course it's not just books that are available to use at home. 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.

Member Services staff are available by email to help with any enquiries you may have, please contact them on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

In episode 5 of The London Library Podcast, we are joined by Valerie Brandes, the founder and publisher of diversity-focused, independent publishing house Jacaranda Books.

Valerie talks about identity, motherhood and the books that have shaped her life and career - from moving to America, then back to Hackney and setting up her own publishing business. As well as Jacaranda's Twentyin2020 initiative, which The London Library is currently supporting, promoting Black British writing through exclusively dedicating a year of publishing output to 20 Black British writers.

The London Library Podcast launched on 18 November 2019 and features a leading writer or figure in the cultural world discussing the books which have shaped them.  Each month the guest is in conversation with The London Library’s Director, Philip Marshall and delves into the Library’s archive and collection to uncover treasured books and nuggets of historical detail about the guest’s book choices.

The Podcast is a celebration of books and the ideas they inspire and a personal love letter from each guest to the books that have been most influential to them.

LISTEN HERE

The fourth episode of The London Library Podcast is now live. This month we're delighted to be joined Ahsan Akbar - a London Library member, poet, co-founder of the Dhaka Literary Festival and owner of Teatulia tea shop and bar in Covent Garden.

In conversation with The London Library’s Director, Philip Marshall, Ahsan discusses the books that have shaped his life, including The Buddha of Suburbia by Hanif Kureishi; A Bend in the River by V S Naipaul; Money by Martin Amis; Virginia Woolf's Orlando and Reunion by Fred Uhlman.

The London Library Podcast launched on 18 November 2019 and features a leading writer or figure in the cultural world discussing the books which have shaped them. Each month the guest is in conversation with The London Library’s Director, Philip Marshall and will delve into the Library’s archive and collection to uncover treasured books and nuggets of historical detail about the guest’s book choices.

The London Library Podcast is a celebration of books and the ideas they inspire and a personal love letter from each guest to the books that have been most influential to them.

LISTEN NOW