The Stationers’ Library
The Stationers’ Company Library was created to:
Support research on the Archives
Showcase or manifest the Company’s history and heritage
Support the Company’s broader charitable aims.
Although the Company has been involved with the licensing of books, the regulation of the book trade and some direct selling of books since its foundation, it has never had the resources or the remit to keep copies of all the books its members published.
Its printed book collection has grown up mostly during the last hundred years or so, largely by gift and partly by purchase, and much of it comprises twentieth-century books relating to the history of the book, paper and newspaper trades, and the history of London and its other livery companies.
A focused effort to build a reference library in these areas was begun in the 1970s but it was never possible to develop it systematically. The Company celebrates and preserves its heritage, but it cannot compete with other organizations which are better placed to deliver research libraries in book history, nor is that part of its mission.
17th century binding showing the Stationers’ Company coat of arms
Access
Limited access is available to:
- Members of the Stationers’ Company
- Members of the public with a demonstrable need to access material not easily available elsewhere
Access is by arrangement with the Hon Librarian, who may be contacted at librarian@stationers.org.
At present, there is no catalogue available for consultation.
Additions and Donations
The Library has limited storage space, which is largely full with the existing holdings. As a matter of policy, it was decided in 2020 that further items will be added only if they fit very clearly under the defined purposes, and we are not in a position to accept donations of modern published material which is easily findable elsewhere.
Anyone wishing to offer items is welcome to contact the Hon Librarian, but it is only likely to be accepted if it can add unique value to the collection. However, the Company does welcome offers of older publications which can help in showcasing history and heritage.
Title page of A New Almanacke and prognostication … practised, penned and published by Ieffery Neue, 1620 printed for the Company of Stationers