THE LONDON LIBRARY
The advancement of education, learning and knowledge by the provision and maintenance in London of a library embracing the arts and humanities
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the Library achieved an operating surplus of £36,000 for the year ended 31 March 2025, marking the third consecutive year of operating surplus. Total funds increased to £32.3 million, with unrestricted reserves standing at £24.2 million, supported by significant legacy income of £1.5 million. The Trustees report that resources are adequate to continue as a going concern, although membership fees alone do not cover ongoing costs, requiring reliance on donations and investment income.
What the accounts disclose
In the news
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- London Library’s historic membership records go online for free
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- The London Library, Westminster, by Haworth Tompkins – RIBA London Award 2014
- Eccentric, awe-inspiring and a home-from-home for literary giants: Why the London Library is an institution like no other
- Review: Mrs Dalloway, London Library
Corporate structure
- Registered company of the charity Companies House RC000325
Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/03/2025)
Trustees
- Simon Godwinchair
- Alain Aubry
- Anni Domingo
- Charles Spicer
- Daisy Goodwin
- Dr Stephanie Hall
- John Colenutt
- Neil Christie
- PAUL AYLIEFF
- Patrick Fleming
- Rev Paul Gismondi
- Simon King
- Stephen Edward Withnell
- Steven Whitaker
- Yassmin Midhat Abdel-Magied
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £6.3m | £5.8m |
| 31/03/2024 | £4.8m | £5.2m |
| 31/03/2023 | £6.0m | £4.6m |
| 31/03/2022 | £4.0m | £4.8m |
| 31/03/2021 | £4.9m | £4.2m |
Common questions
Is THE LONDON LIBRARY financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the Library achieved an operating surplus of £36,000 for the year ended 31 March 2025, marking the third consecutive year of operating surplus. Total funds increased to £32.3 million, with unrestricted reserves standing at £24.2 million, supported by significant legacy income of £1.5 million. The Trustees report that resources are adequate to continue as a going concern, although membership fees alone do not cover ongoing costs, requiring reliance on donations and investment income. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by MHA.
Who funds THE LONDON LIBRARY?
Funders whose own accounts filings name THE LONDON LIBRARY as a grant recipient include THE MASTER CHARITABLE TRUST, THE CLORE DUFFIELD FOUNDATION, THE DRUE HEINZ CHARITABLE TRUST, THE SANDERSON FOUNDATION, THE ROTHSCHILD FOUNDATION.
Known funders
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| ROTHSCHILD FOUNDATION (HANADIV) EUROPE | 1 | £898k |
| THE MONTEFIORE ENDOWMENT | 1 | £194k |
| THE ANGLO-AMERICAN CHARITY LIMITED | 1 | £91k |
| THE MARCUS MARGULIES CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £72k |
| THE CHARLES WOLFSON CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £50k |
| THE PEARS FAMILY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | 1 | £50k |
| THE PHILLIPS AND RUBENS CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £37k |
| RACHEL CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £24k |
Charities like this
- LHA LONDON LTD
- Libraries Connected
- M25 CONSORTIUM OF ACADEMIC LIBRARIES
- THE LONDON SCHOOL OF JEWISH STUDIES
- BRADFORD MECHANICS INSTITUTE LIBRARY
- IMMANUEL LONDON
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE LONDON LIBRARY | £6.3m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| LHA LONDON LTD | £19.8m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| Libraries Connected | £2.7m | — | — | within | — | no doubt |
| M25 CONSORTIUM OF ACADEMIC LIBRARIES | £163k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| THE LONDON SCHOOL OF JEWISH STUDIES | £1.8m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| BRADFORD MECHANICS INSTITUTE LIBRARY | £103k | — | 0 | below | — | no doubt |