Spaces to Hire at The London Library
All of the spaces at the London Library are wheelchair accessible and are suitable for clients with a variety of access needs. You can see further images of our spaces on our venue listing sites: Canvas and Westminster Venues Collection.
The Reading Room
Offering stunning views across St James’s Square, double-height, book-lined walls and elegant ironwork balustrades the Reading Room is the main space for events and the heart of the London Library. The space can host up to 200 guests for a standing reception, 90 guests for a seated dinner or 100 guests for a theatre style presentation or award ceremony.
The Issue Hall
Reached through the main entrance of the Library directly from St James’ Square, the Issue Hall offers a grand arrival point and is the perfect welcome for all guests and clients. A working space during the day, this space can be converted into a registration and welcome area for larger standing events in the Reading Room or as a pre-dinner, drinks reception area for up to 100 people. Clients are welcome to use the existing book-issue counters, maintaining the look and feel of the historic space and reducing the amount of set-up needed.
The Sackler Study
Opposite to the Reading Room, the Sackler Study is the Library's former committee room, and is perfect for intimate dining or small drinks reception. The room is suitable for 12 dining and 30 reception. Guests can enjoy the faux regency design of the space, complete with original Robert Adam fireplace.
The Lightwell Reading Room
Created from a former central lightwell and reaching four storeys high, this exclusive space is perfect for smaller drinks receptions for up to 30 - prior to small dinners in the Reading Room - or as a VIP area away from the main space during larger events. Allowing glimpses into every wing of the library and featuring patinated bronze panelling, guests can enjoy one of the most contemporary spaces in the Library.
The Art Room
This recently refurbished space featuring the extensive art and architecture collection is a modern and inspiring space for up to 50 guests looking for a reception venue before dinner in the Reading Room. It can also serve as a private area for VIP drinks during a larger event in the main space.
Spaces for tours
During your event at the London Library we want to ensure that you and your guests experience the rich cultural heritage of the organisation and learn more about the work that we do. All income from hiring the venue is directed back into the conservation of the vast collection, the upkeep of the historic building and developing our learning and lecture programmes.
By engaging with the collection, your event becomes completely unique and offers an experience not found anywhere else in London. This can be done through small tours through the building - highlighting general areas of interest - or by visiting the two spaces below.
The Bookstacks
The extensive network of bookstacks that include 17 miles of shelves offer a fascinating insight into the workings of the Library. Housing the library’s collection of History, Science, Literature and Miscellanea, small tours and VIP visits can be arranged. Specific books of personal interest or books that relate to your organisation’s mission, products or services can be highlighted and inspected as the groups cover the seven storeys of iron grille floors.
The Times Room
This calming, secluded area is found in the basement of the Library and features access to copies of over 200 years of the Times newspaper. This fascinating resource is a perfect add-on to any event allowing small groups of guests to view copies of the Times that may resonate with specific dates in the company’s history or with important dates in the life of VIPs and executives
