We’re preparing to bring unused spaces to life through free community libraries, book exchanges and community art spaces—welcoming places where everyone can discover books, enjoy local art and keep learning.
Coming up · DagenhamOur first free book pop-up →Take, swap or read · Date to be confirmedOpen Door Libraries Trust is a proposed charity preparing to apply for registration. Our projects are in development.
Books can unlock new possibilities—building knowledge, inspiring ideas and opening doors to learning and opportunity.
A painting can tell a thousand stories. Discover inspiration through art—and begin creating your own.
Open Door Libraries Trust aims to advance education by improving access to books, reading facilities and educational resources. Our initial focus is on communities in London and Essex, particularly people who face financial or social barriers to learning.
We plan to make our book services free. Visitors will be able to take an available book without paying, donating, bringing a replacement or proving financial need.
Open Door Libraries Trust began with a simple idea: access to books and opportunities to learn should be within everyone’s reach.
We want to help create welcoming community spaces where people can discover a book, enjoy reading and explore something new—without cost standing in the way. A shared book can offer a new perspective, spark an interest or become the beginning of a lifelong love of learning.
Our founding team is working together to turn that idea into practical plans. We are starting in Dagenham, seeking suitable spaces and support for free community libraries, book exchanges and local art displays, with a wider focus on London and Essex.
We are at the beginning of our story. Our registration application and first projects are in preparation, and we welcome conversations with people who would like to help us take the next step.
Our mission is to bring unused spaces to life through free community libraries, book exchanges and community art spaces—helping people discover books, explore art and learn together.
We aim to find affordable premises and bring suitable unused or underused spaces back into community use. Working with property owners and local organisations, we hope to create welcoming places for books, reading, local art and lifelong learning, subject to the resources and permissions needed.
We aim to remove financial barriers to reading, provide access to books and educational resources, and support literacy and lifelong learning. Our initial practical focus is London and Essex, with a charitable purpose for the public benefit in England and Wales.
As resources and suitable support become available, we plan to develop educational programmes and learning activities. Everyone is welcome. We recommend that children visit with a parent or responsible adult.
Our commitment: our planned book services will be free. No payment, donation, replacement book or proof of financial need will be required to take an available book.
We are seeking suitable spaces and practical support. Opening dates and locations will be announced once arrangements are in place.
Books unlock futures.
A welcoming place to slow down, find your next read and discover something new. We want to turn suitable unused spaces into free places for reading and lifelong learning.
One book. A new beginning.
A book you have finished could be someone else’s next discovery. Our planned book-sharing points will make it easy for stories and ideas to travel through the community.
A painting can tell a thousand stories.
Discover inspiration through art—and begin creating your own. We plan to bring local creativity into our book spaces through free displays, gallery-style corners and pop-up exhibitions.
We’re looking for a suitable unused space to bring books and local art together. We’ll start with what the space allows, then grow with community support.
Have a space, books, artwork or time to offer? Help us shape the first project.
Let’s bring it to life ↗Projects are in development. Locations, events and opening dates will be announced once confirmed.
Books, art and new connections. Here’s what we’re planning for our first space in Dagenham. Dates and venues will appear here once confirmed.
Our first pop-up event is planned in Dagenham, offering free books to take, swap or sit and read. Discover your next story, share a book if you wish, or simply enjoy reading. You don’t need to bring a book to take one.
Explore a local artist’s work alongside the books, with a short introduction to the stories and inspiration behind it.
An informal opportunity to meet a featured local artist, ask questions and discover how their work takes shape.
These are planned activities, not confirmed bookings. Everyone is welcome; we recommend that children visit with a parent or responsible adult.
Ask to join our event updates list for news of confirmed dates, local art displays and our first opening.
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Discover public libraries and reading spaces across London and Essex. These are independent venues, not operated by or affiliated with Open Door Libraries Trust.
Search opens Google Maps in a new tab. Check each venue’s current hours, accessibility and entry requirements before travelling. Featured places below are a selection, not a complete directory.
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A local library in Rainham, Havering. Explore the council’s library information before your visit.
Official visitor information ↗A public library in Epping. Visit Essex Library Service for current opening times and services.
Essex Library Service ↗A public library within the Barbican Centre, with books and music resources.
Official visitor information ↗A public library and learning venue at 321 Whitechapel Road, London E1 1BU. Check the official website for current services and opening times.
Official visitor information ↗Explore reading and study opportunities at St Pancras. A free Reader Pass is required to use the Reading Rooms.
Reading Rooms and access ↗Visitor links reviewed 13 October 2026. For corrections or suggestions, contact us.
We welcome early conversations with people and organisations who share our purpose.
Please contact us before delivering books or visiting. We do not yet have an operating library or a public drop-off point.
Have books or educational resources you would like to offer? Tell us what you have so we can discuss suitability and future collection arrangements.
Discuss a book donation ↗Register your interest in helping with future library sessions, organising books, supporting learning activities or setting up community art displays.
Enquire about volunteering ↗Are you a local artist? Tell us about your work and your interest in future displays, pop-up exhibitions or a meet-the-artist event alongside our book spaces.
Enquire about community art ↗We would like to hear from community organisations, local businesses and property owners about suitable spaces for books and community art in Dagenham, London and Essex.
Talk about a potential space ↗Our proposed founding trustees are working together to prepare the charity’s registration and first projects.
Our founding team brings a shared commitment to making books, reading and learning more accessible. Together, we are preparing the governance and practical arrangements needed to get started.
Not yet. Open Door Libraries Trust is preparing to apply to the Charity Commission to register as a Foundation Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). We do not currently have a charity registration number.
No library premises have been secured yet. Our initial plans focus on London and Essex. We will publish confirmed locations and opening arrangements here when they are ready.
Our planned library and book-exchange services will be free. You may swap a book if you wish, but you will not need to bring one to take an available book.
Yes. We plan to feature local artists through free displays alongside our book spaces, pop-up exhibitions and occasional meet-the-artist events. Artists can contact us to express interest. Dates and locations will be shared once confirmed.
Our planned spaces are inclusive and open to everyone. We recommend that children visit with a parent or responsible adult.
We are not collecting financial donations through this website at present. You can contact us about future support, book offers or potential partnerships.
Have books to share, a space to offer or an idea for a community event? Let’s start a conversation.
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