Joining the Heythrop Library
Who can use the library?
Heythrop Library is open to anyone with a serious interest in theology or philosophy and the related academic disciplines represented in the collection. We welcome enquiries about using the library’s collections and reading room at the London Jesuit Centre. The next two sections of this FAQ answer most membership questions, or download the most current Reader’s Guide.
Which membership options do you offer?
Please see our “join us” page, for more information on membership options.
How do I access the majority of the Library’s materials?
You can access the majority of the Heythrop Library’s collections, to do so you need to apply for membership of the Heythrop Library. Please see our “join us” page, for more information on membership options.
Collections and borrowing
What does the Heythrop Library contain?
The Heythrop Library holds over 200,000 volumes on theology, philosophy, biblical studies, church history, spirituality and allied subjects. The collection includes rare printed books and incunabula (please note: these are not stored at the Mount Street reading room).
What periodicals does the library hold?
The Heythrop Library subscribes to over 230 periodicals in theology and philosophy and related disciplines. We also offer on-site only access to the Religion package of JSTOR (over 100 periodicals): JSTOR Religion [external page with list of journals]
You can also explore our journal holdings by clicking on one or all of the following:
- A list of all our current journals
- Our journals [blog posts presenting individual journals we subscribe to]
What can I borrow from the library?
Readers may currently take up to six books out on loan for up to four weeks. A working collection of over 8,000 books is kept at the Heythrop Library reading room at the London Jesuit Centre – some of these books are relevant to courses taught at the London Jesuit Centre. The majority of the book collection and journals are available on demand to be delivered to the London Jesuit Centre. Delivery takes up to 48 hours from placing the request.
You need to have full membership of the Heythrop Library to request books from the main Heythrop Library collection (ca. 140,000 modern volumes), stored off-site.
Other enquiries
How can I support the Heythrop Library?
The Heythrop Library is part of a registered charity, and generous supporters play a vital role in helping to keep its doors open.
Please consider making a donation today and help us to continue inspiring generations of readers.
When you click on the donate link, please pick ‘Heythrop Library’ as a designation. If you would like to ‘Write us a comment’, please do.
Do you offer a document supply service?
We might be able to provide you with a scan of a chapter of a book, or an article. If you are not a member of the Library, you will need to pay for this. The minimum charge is £5, even if it is for only one page. The charge also depends on whether the item is in our reading room or not, as it costs us about £5 alone to get the book from one our off-site stores to our office.
May I donate books to you?
This depends on the quantities, how quickly you need to move these books, and whether you can deliver the books yourself. See our dedicated book donation page for more information.
How is the library maintained?
The Heythrop Library is owned and managed by the Jesuits in Britain who are committed to maintaining it as an ongoing resource for the Church, teachers, researchers and academics. An Expert Panel, drawn from academic disciplines related to the collections, advises on acquisitions and the Heythrop Library Committee advises the Jesuit Trustees on strategic planning and management of the collections. Find out more about the Jesuits in Britain.
Want to hear what our library members say?
Since March 2023, we have asked our library users to supply testimonials, sharing how and why they benefit from the collection, library services, and the Mount Street reading room.
If you are a member and would like to contribute to the testimonials, please email us: heythroplibrary@jesuit.org.uk