Support the Library by joining the Friends
The Friends of Lambeth Palace Library (registered charity no. 313023) was founded in 1964 to support the Library. It provides invaluable assistance in the acquisition of rare books and manuscripts and in the conservation of the collections, helping the Library to develop and flourish.
Benefits of membership include:
- Complimentary copy of the Library’s Annual Review
- Invitation from the Archbishop of Canterbury to the Friends’ AGM, held on the Lambeth Palace site in summer, with a lecture by a special guest speaker followed by tea.
- Christmas Reception for Friends and their guests, with mince pies, drinks and carols in the beautiful Palace surroundings.
- Exclusive visits to libraries, exhibitions and other places of interest, arranged for the Friends throughout the year. Recent visits have included the British Library Anglo-Saxon exhibition, Lichfield Cathedral and city, and a bibliophile walk round St James’s.
- Regular invitations to lectures, behind the scenes tours, exhibitions and events in the Library and Palace. Details of future events are attached below.
Over the years the Friends have helped the Library acquire many of its treasures, including the first prayer book of Elizabeth I and an important group of documents removed from Archbishop Laud’s study after his arrest in 1640. These were recovered (with the help of the Friends) more than 300 years later. For a full list of items presented to the Library by the Friends please see the acquisitions link below. An important recent acquisition made with the assistance of the Friends.
Title page of Cardinal John Morton’s copy of Institutiones oratoriae by Quintilian (Venice, 1471) with Morton’s painted arms and below this a pun on his name – a barrel, or tun, bearing the letters MOR. Archbishop Morton was the first Archbishop of Canterbury known to have owned printed books
We are keen to expand the Friends and welcome new members. With your help, the Library’s collections may continue to grow and be preserved for future generations.
Individual membership: £30.00 per annum
Joint membership: £45.00 per annum
Life membership: £600.00 (one-off payment)
Institutional Membership: £70.00 per annum
To join, please download and complete the membership application below.
To purchase membership as a gift, please fill out the gift membership form. This unique gift will be presented to recipients in an attractive greeting card with a personalised message of your choice.
Completed forms can be sent to libraryfriends@churchofengland.org or posted to the address below.
Friends of Lambeth Palace Library,
Lambeth Palace Library,
15 Lambeth Palace Road,
London SE1 7JT,
United Kingdom
Tel: 020 7898 1400
