Books & reading

As a member of Westminster Libraries, did you know that you can now borrow up to 20 books at a time?

Join your nearest Westminster library today!

Books on shelves

To find out what we've got in stock, search the library catalogue. If you're a library member, you can also log in to the catalogue to renew items you've borrowed, and reserve others for future use.

Westminster has an enviable collection of lending and reference books in the following places:

• eleven lending libraries
• two reference libraries (find out about our specialist subjects)
• Westminster Music Library
• Westminster Chinese Library
• Westminster Archives & Local Studies Centre

For those unable to get to these centres, the Home Library Service can provide a comprehensive service.

Books in the spotlight

In addition to special events such as author visits, Westminster Libraries provide

• eleven reading groups for adults
• children's reading groups and storytimes for babies & children
• reading lists covering black writing, London, China, and prizewinning books
• summer reading schemes for children and teenagers

Westminster Libraries also take part in a range of London-wide book promotions - find out what London Libraries Recommend.

Books online

The 24/7 Library includes exclusive online reference resources for Westminster Libraries members. Subjects include art, biography, books, business, law, learning and careers, music, news, and reference and encyclopaedias.

The following resources are especially useful if your query is about books (if you're not using a Westminster library computer, you will need to log in with your library card):

• “Literature” from Oxford Reference Online, including several major encyclopedias such as the Oxford Encyclopedia of British Literature and the Oxford Encyclopedia to Children's Literature
• Contemporary Authors - biographical (including contact details) and comprehensive bibliographical information on more than 100,000 modern authors, from novelists to screen-writers, poets to journalists
• The Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook from KnowUK – a practical resource for writers, including details of publishers, literary prizes and advice

As part of the Gateway to websites, Westminster Libraries staff have selected a range of sites that are particularly useful and reliable on the subject of books and literature - pick a topic:

Choosing books | Book groups | Festivals, events & awards | Studying literature | Online books | For & about writers | Poetry | Plays | Languages other than English | Booksellers | Fun sites