We regret that a recent building accident in a property near The London Library has significantly reduced access into Mason’s Yard (which provides the only wheelchair and step-free entrance into the Library). There is currently no vehicle access and with pedestrian access also constrained, wheelchair users and others needing step-free access to the Library may need to consider entering Mason’s Yard via Ormond Yard.
Since the building accident involved the partial collapse of the road, repairs are likely to be lengthy and we expect access to remain disrupted for some time; it may be curtailed altogether during different phases of repair work.
While these problems persist, we would ask that anyone needing step-free access to the Library contacts our Reception first (020 7766 4700 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). We will be happy to advise on available routes, or on ways that we can help members who are unable to access the Library to obtain books and other information that they need.
We were delighted to find ourselves among the winners at this year's Mayfair Times 'Mayfair & St James's Community Awards', designed to celebrate the area by "recognising the efforts of people and organisations who have made a positive contribution to local life".
The awards ceremony was held at Claridges Hotel on 22nd January 2018 and was hosted by actor and TV host Alexander Armstrong. It followed an awards selection made by a judging panel comprising Dylan Jones, editor-in-chief of GQ magazine; Ewan Venters, CEO of Fortnum & Mason; Lydia Forte, restaurant development manager at Rocco Forte Hotels; Jeremy King, joint owner of the Corbin & King restaurants group; and David Gandy, the internationally famous model.
The London Library was awarded the 'Only in St James's' Award - granted to independent retailers and business in the area engaging with the local community - and received a handsome silverware pitcher designed by Mayfair-based Danish design house, Georg Jensen. Inez Lynn - who retired recently as the Library's Librarian and Chief Executive - also featured during the ceremony as one of the three shortlisted finalists in the Lifetime Achievement Award.
To coincide with the 500th anniversary of the birth of the Reformation - commemorating the date on 31st October 1517 when Martin Luther is supposed to have nailed his 95 theses to a church door in Wittenborg - we've been displaying a very rare treasure in our Reading Room.
It's an original 1517 copy of one of the three print editions that were produced within weeks of the theses first appearing.Their effect was immediate and lasting, rapidly spreading debate and dissension across Germany.
Each print edition has its own fascinating characteristics, indicating that they were all produced in haste. Our Petri edition, for example, bears the signs of having been over-inked, while others have very obvious typographical mistakes.
Read our fascinating blog for more on the background behind three documents that changed the world!
We received the sad news this week that Lewis Golden died on Friday 27th October, aged 94.
The Library owes an immense amount to him. He served as Treasurer for 19 years (between 1972-1991), Chairman for 4 years (1991-1994) and as Vice President for the last 13 years.
He was also an incredibly generous donor to the Library, giving extensively towards the Library’s Endowment Campaign in 2012 to form the Jacqueline Golden Endowment in memory of his late wife.
A true friend of The London Library, he will be sorely missed.
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