| National Poetry Library | |
|---|---|
 | |
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| Location | Level 5, Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London SE1 8XX |
| Type | National library |
| Scope | Including contemporary UK poetry publications since 1912 |
| Established | 1953 |
| Collection | |
| Items collected | books, journals, cuttings, poetry magazines, audio and video recordings, children's poetry, critical texts |
| Size | over 200,000 items[1] |
| Access and use | |
| Access requirements | Open to anyone. Free membership |
| Other information | |
| Website | The Poetry Library |
The National Poetry Library is a free public collection housed at Royal Festival Hall in London's Southbank Centre. Situated on the fifth floor of the Royal Festival Hall, overlooking the river Thames, the library aims to hold all contemporary UK poetry publications since 1912. It houses the largest collection in Britain, numbering over 200,000 items, including works by small presses. It also holds audio and video materials, critical texts and works for children for loan and reference.
The library contains work by non-UK poets and publishers and press cuttings are also archived for members' research. Membership is free and material is borrowed through the national inter-lending library services or returned by post.[1][2][3][4][5] The library provides support for schools nationally and locally. The venue has an exhibition and event space.
- ^ a b Poetry Library official site
- ^ Poetry Book Society Poetry Library profile
- ^ "London's top 10 peaceful places", The Guardian 18 April 2012
- ^ "Welcome back, Poetry Library" 5 July 2007, Guardian
- ^ Valencia, Miriam, "The Poetry Library", NATE Classroom Spring 2008 Volume/issue: No. 4