About the Library
The London Library is one of the UK’s greatest literary institutions, providing a centre of creativity, inspiration and ideas for 180 years.
Well-known members and frequent borrowers have included Charles Dickens, Charles Darwin, George Eliot, Bram Stoker, Rebecca West, Virginia Woolf, Angela Carter, Daphne du Maurier, HG Wells, TS Eliot, Stanley Kubrick and Ian Fleming. Current writers in membership include Kazuo Ishiguro, Raymond Antrobus, Simon Schama, Hallie Rubenhold, Tom Stoppard, Antonia Fraser, Jessie Burton and Sarah Waters. Nearly all of its collection of around one million books can be borrowed, it offers a vast eLibrary and invaluable postal loans service.
The Library is a registered charity and championed by its President, Helena Bonham Carter CBE. It is a home for everyone who loves the written word.
Staff benefits
Pension
The Library operates a Group Personal Pension Scheme. Details may be seen at the Library. Eligibility to join and entitlement to benefits is subject to the rules of the scheme.
Life Assurance
The Library operates a Group Life Assurance Scheme, which in the event of death whilst employed by the Library, will pay out a lump sum of 4x annual salary to the employee’s nominated beneficiaries.
Cash Health scheme
All employees will be enrolled into our cash health scheme which allows members to reclaim the cost of medical expenses such as dental fees and prescription charges as well as access to a 24-hour employee assistance service.
Season tickets and bicycle loans
Interest-free loans for the purchase of season-tickets and/or bicycles for travelling to and from work.
Access to collections
The facility to make full borrowing use of the Library’s collections (up to 10 books at a time) and online resources.
Book purchase and binding
Staff may purchase books for themselves, taking advantage of the discounts negotiated by the Library. Discounts on binding personal books may also be arranged.
Training & Development
The Library is committed to the support and development of all staff. We aim to ensure that all members of staff not only have the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to be successful in their jobs, but also to fulfil their career potential.
Hybrid Working
Where practicable and subject to line management agreement, we are able to provide flexible working options.
Library employees whose role can be performed effectively without having to attend the Library on every working day will be able to discuss a hybrid work plan with their line manager.
Rest facilities
Staffroom with small kitchen and dining area offering free tea and coffee-making facilities.
Equal Opportunities Statement
The London Library is committed to providing equal opportunities to all current and prospective employees regardless of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership.
We aspire to have a diverse workforce because and believe that a more inclusive workplace, where people of different backgrounds work together, ensures better outcomes for all staff and our organisation.
In particular, we strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join The London Library.
We will take positive steps to ensure that our employees, stakeholders, contractors and clients can enjoy an experience that is fair, equitable and free from discrimination in their dealings with us.
