Inside the Library

If you'd like to view some of our collection and our reading and writing spaces before you visit, take a look at our 3D tour below. Alternatively use the 'view inside' button below to view it full screen.

VIEW INSIDE

In order to access the full range of electronic resources and catalogue features for example eJournals and eBooks, you will need to complete an initial sign-up process using your 5-digit membership number and the email address you registered with the Library. Please follow the instructions here to sign-up for the first time.

Once you have completed the process, you will use your email address and an 8-character (minimum) password of your choice to sign-in on subsequent occasions. Your membership number should have been sent to you in an email when you joined but should you need a reminder, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

If you have any problems with the sign-up process, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Full (including Institutional) and Associate members will receive a membership card and information on how to use the Library on their first visit. Please bring your card with you whenever you visit as you will need it to gain access to the building, borrow books and make use of other facilities. Please bring two forms of identification with you on your first visit – one should include a photo (e.g. passport, driving licence, travel card, student card, ID card) and one should include confirmation of your current address (e.g. driving licence, recent bank statement or utility bill). 

New nominees who have been switched onto an Institutional membership can collect a new membership card on their first visit to the Library.

Your card remains valid for the duration of your membership. Personal memberships are non-transferable and the Library may be used only by the person named on the membership card. If your card is lost or stolen, please contact us on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Members are welcome to sign in guests to give them a brief tour of the Library. Please sign your guest in at Reception and remain together for the duration of your tour.

If you would like an individual induction we are now able to offer a limited number of these. Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to arrange.

In order to access the full range of electronic resources and catalogue features for example eJournals and eBooks, the representatives will need to sign-up to the single sign-on service.

They will need the 5-digit membership number and the email address registered with the Library on the membership application form in order to verify their account and create a unique password. Please select "Sign in to Catalyst" from the top right of the library homepage and then follow the instructions here to sign-up for the first time. Nominees will then need to use this email address and password to sign in on subsequent occasions.

So that the representative and nominees can both enjoy easy access to our online services and collections we recommend setting up a shared email address which the representative and nominees have access to. If you decide to create a shared email address, please let us know by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. so we can update your membership record accordingly. All future communications from us will be sent to this email address.

Search the online catalogue (Catalyst) and select items to be set aside or posted to you.

You can also borrow by email by requesting items at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

You can collect books at the Library or browse the stacks and take out items at the Issue Desk.

You can find detailed information on searching the catalogue, browsing and borrowing on our dedicated website page

The standard borrowing allowance for individual annual members is 15 for all members. 

The standard borrowing allowance for institutional members is 15 volumes at a time.

The standard borrowing allowance for schools' membership is 25 volumes at a time.

Additional borrowing allowance can be purchased in increments of 5 volumes, up to a maximum total allowance of 40. To increase your allowance, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone us on 020 7766 4720.

Due to the coronavirus measures, all Library members have had their book allowance increased by 5. 

Most books can be kept for at least one month initially and are automatically renewed unless requested by another member. New books are available to borrow for 14 days; they may be renewed if not requested by another member.

There are no overdue fines but we do ask that books are returned to the Library for renewal once a year so that we can assess their condition. All members are liable for the full cost of replacing any books not returned or renewed on request, that are outstanding at the end of membership or if they are significantly damaged.

When requesting books on Catalyst, select Home Address as the pick up location.

Materials can be posted to members worldwide, usually the cost of postage is payable but we have currently waived these charges if you have a UK address. If you need to update the address that we post to, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

You can post books back to us either to our Mason's Yard address (20 Mason's Yard, London SW1Y 6BU) or when we are closed through the letterbox at our St James's Square entrance.

Members are free to browse our 17 miles of bookstacks. The Library uses its own classification system which maximises the potential for browsing specific subject areas. Books are arranged alphabetically by subject and then by author. Library staff at the Issue Desk are always on hand to help members find materials and you can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for assistance.

The collection spans 17 miles of open shelves, take some time to explore them. 

Download the Library map below and use it to help navigate when visiting the Library.

This map is also displayed throughout the building, showing you how to get from the stacks, to the reading rooms, to the issue hall and back again; which you can access via the main lift or the stairs.

View the Library map 

Monday & Tuesday: 9.30am-9.00pm

Wednesday - Saturday: 9.30am-5.30pm

Sunday: Closed

Click below to view more details on opening hours including bank holidays and monthly late openings:

Opening hours

The Library has 3 reading rooms on the 1st floor above the Issue Hall, The Foyle Lightwell Reading Room on the lower ground floor and non-silent reading rooms in the 6th Floor Suite. There are also a number of individual desks located around the stacks. We also now have a reading room near the existing Art Room.

View a floorplan of the building

Members can suggest books to be acquired for the Library collection by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Printed guides to some individual areas of the collection can be downloaded from our website.

Staff are on hand to help with member enquiries, bibliographic checking and subject searching. Where enquiries fall outside the scope of the collections, staff will identify appropriate alternative libraries and collections. For assistance please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We are happy to help school members with their research requests and we can arrange bespoke sessions at the Library to support students with their study needs. Please get in touch with our Head of Member Services, Amanda Stebbings at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your request.

The Library participates in the Inter-Library loan scheme - requesting materials from other national and international libraries. If we do not hold something you need we may be able to borrow it on your behalf for a fee. 

Members have access to all of our collections but those in closed access areas (4% of the collection) need to be requested in advance. Some of this material can be borrowed but some will need to be accessed on site. Currently these sessions will need to be arranged at least 72 hours in advance by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and can be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10am and 3pm.

Access Catalyst from anywhere via the ‘Search the Catalogue’ link on the Library’s website. The online catalogue provides access to almost all of the physical collection and all of our digital resources. You can find videos on using Catalyst on our website.

In order to access the full range of electronic resources and catalogue features for example eJournals and eBooks, you will need to complete an initial sign-up process using your 5-digit membership number and the email address you registered with the Library. Please follow the instructions here to sign-up for the first time.

Once you have completed the process, you will use your email address and an 8-character (minimum) password of your choice to sign-in on subsequent occasions. Your membership number should have been sent to you in an email when you joined but should you need a reminder, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

If you have any problems with the sign-up process, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

You will find a video explaining how to use Catalyst on the homepage.

Access Catalyst from anywhere via the ‘Search the Catalogue’ link on the Library’s website. The online catalogue provides access to almost all of the physical collection and all of our digital resources. You can find videos on using Catalyst on our website. 

In order to access the full range of electronic resources and catalogue features, for example eJournals and eBooks, the representative will need to sign-up to the single sign-on service. They will need the 5-digit membership number and the email address registered with the Library on the membership application form in order to verify their account and create a unique password. Please select "Sign in to Catalyst" from the top right of the library homepage and then follow the instructions here to sign-up for the first time. Once you have completed the process, you will use your email address and an 8-character (minimum) password of your choice to sign in on subsequent occasions. Nominees will then need to use this email address and password to sign in and gain access to electronic resources and our collections. Your membership number should have been sent to you in an email when you joined but should you need a reminder, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

If you have any problems with the sign up process please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You will find a video explaining how to use Catalyst on the homepage.

Some of the Library’s books and journals are not currently listed in the online catalogue. Titles are constantly being updated and staff are always able to assist if you are unable to find what you are looking for, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for assistance.

All of the eJournals and databases the Library subscribes to can be found by title on Catalyst, in addition to other open-access holdings.

The Library subscribes to over 300 online newspapers, magazines and journals as well as providing access to thousands more through services such as JSTOR. Many of these can be accessed via Catalyst and the full range can be found on the Library’s eJournals page.

Members with access requirements may contact Reception at any time on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to find out how we can meet their needs. This includes level access to the building, lifts to many of the Library’s spaces, accessible toilets, and screen readers.

Members requiring level access to the buildings can use the T. S. Eliot House entrance on Mason’s Yard (opposite the White Cube gallery). There is also lift access inside the Mason's Yard entrance which enters on to the Issue Hall.

In the event of a fire alarm please follow the signs to the nearest exit and evacuate immediately or wait at the nearest refuge point and use the call button to alert staff.

The 6th Floor Suite is a space at the top of the Library where members may relax and work in a non-silent environment. It is the only space in the Library where food and drink (apart from water in a secure container) may be consumed. Phone and video calls are only permitted in these spaces and nowhere else in the Library.  There are two phone booths available should you prefer and these can be booked in advance.

Members are asked to leave bags in the lockers at Reception, but are provided with clear, reusable carrier bags if they need to keep small items with them in the Library. This helps improve access in narrow spaces like the stacks, prevents damage to the collection, and improves book security. The lockers are free to use. 

Please use your membership card to access the lockers. After the building has closed each evening the lockers will open automatically so please remember to clear your locker at the end of the day. 

Coat cupboards are available for members to leave coats and bags at their own risk.

We have bike storage at the back of the Library in Mason’s Yard, if you would like to use this please let us know in advance on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. as we will need to create your membership card with special access to the bike shed in advance of your visit.