Find, reserve, renew
We’ve more than 200,000 items in our collection, from 1912 to the present day.
Here at the National Poetry Library you can find all the major poets of the 20th and 21st centuries along with works from a great range of overlooked and emerging talents.
We continue to collect all UK poetry books from major and independent press publishers. The library also houses a number of special collections including audio, magazines, zines, press cuttings, images of poets, postcards and posters. And there is a dedicated section for children’s books plus a section of resources for teachers.
How to find a book in the library
Books are arranged alphabetically by author, with a separate section for anthologies.
We acquire two copies of each title where possible: one for reference, which remains in the library, and one for loan.
Search our collection
A valuable resource for poets, academics, students and poetry lovers, our collection includes books, pamphlets, magazines, audio recordings and children’s books.
Search our collection online
Our catalogue includes material for both reference and loan.
Borrow e-books
Members anywhere in the UK can borrow e-books and audiobooks.
Not yet a member? Join the library to borrow ebooks
You can borrow two items at a time, with each issued for 14 days. E-books can be read on Kindle, iPad , Android tablets, PCs, and Macs. Our collection can be browsed using a web browser or the OverDrive app. See OverDrive’s FAQs.
Library services
Click and collect
Pre-pack your loan books from The National Poetry Library.
Search the catalogue for items that are labelled ‘Available for Circulation’.
And then email your choices and membership number 48 hours ahead of collection.
Blind and partially sighted users
The National Poetry Library has Braille and audio resources available for blind and partially sighted users.
We also provide a free postal service of CDs to people with vision impairment throughout the UK.
Lost quotations
Trying to identify a poem from snippet you’ve seen?
Got a stanza stuck in your head you just can’t place?
We might be able to help.
For your visit
National Poetry Library Southbank Centre
The National Poetry Library is open six days a week.
Tuesday, 12 noon – 6pm
Wednesday – Sunday, 12 noon – 8pm
Getting here
The National Poetry Library is on Level 5 of our Royal Festival Hall.
Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
The nearest tube stations to us are Waterloo and Embankment; Waterloo is also the nearest train station. And more than 20 different London bus routes pass within 500 metres of our venues. More information on getting here by rail, road or river is available on our Getting here page.
We’re cash-free
Please note that we’re unable to accept cash payments across our venues.
Access
We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.
Study & library use
The library is London’s only space dedicated to poetry study. Visitors studying another subject or looking for a place to work are kindly asked to find an alternative space in the Royal Festival Hall.
