A new community initiative · London & Essex

Opening doors.
One book
at a time.

We’re preparing to create free community libraries and book exchanges—welcoming places where everyone can discover books, enjoy reading and keep learning.

Help us get started ↗Discover our purpose

Open Door Libraries Trust is a proposed charity preparing to apply for registration. Our projects are in development.

A shared vision for books, learning and belonging
Free access to booksWelcoming all backgroundsRooted in communityStarting in London & Essex
Our purpose

A good book should
be within everyone’s reach.

A place to read. A chance to learn. An open door to something new.

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.

Our story

It starts with
an open door.

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 with London and Essex, seeking suitable spaces and support for free community libraries and book exchanges.

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

Books for everyone.
Learning for life.

Our mission is to advance education by repurposing affordable and unused spaces into welcoming community libraries, book exchanges and places to learn—making books and educational opportunities freely accessible for the benefit of the community.

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 turn these spaces into places that support reading, education 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. We want people of all ages and backgrounds to feel welcome, with appropriate arrangements to make activities safe and accessible.

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.

What we’re working towards

Small beginnings.
Shared possibilities.

We are seeking suitable spaces and practical support. Opening dates and locations will be announced once arrangements are in place.

01 /

Community libraries

Free, welcoming spaces to browse books, read and discover educational resources, with sessions supported by trustees or suitable volunteers.

Planned
02 /

Book exchanges

Simple community book-sharing points. Swap a book if you wish, or take an available one without bringing another.

Planned
03 /

Learning opportunities

As resources and suitable support become available, literacy activities and educational programmes to encourage lifelong learning.

Future development
Explore your community

Find your next
place to read.

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.

A map of libraries in London and Essex

Load the map to explore. Google receives technical information when its map loads.

Visitor links reviewed 13 October 2026. For corrections or suggestions, contact us.

Get involved

Help write
the first chapter.

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.

Share books

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 ↗

Offer your time

Register your interest in helping with future library sessions, organising books or supporting learning activities.

Enquire about volunteering ↗

Help us find a space

We would like to hear from community organisations, local businesses and property owners about suitable spaces in London and Essex.

Talk about a potential space ↗
The people behind the plans

Our founding team

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.

Questions, answered

Before we open our doors

Are you a registered charity?

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.

Where can I visit a library?

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.

Will I need to pay or bring a book?

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.

Can I make a financial donation?

We are not collecting financial donations through this website at present. You can contact us about future support, book offers or potential partnerships.

Let’s start a conversation

Every beginning
starts with a hello.

info@opendoorlibrariestrust.org.uk
0800 102 6878

Privacy information for enquiries

When you email or call us, we use the information you provide to respond and manage your enquiry. Please share only the information needed and avoid sending sensitive personal details.

Enquiries are handled by the organisers of Open Door Libraries Trust using email and telephone service providers. We do not sell your information. We keep enquiry records only as needed for the enquiry or relevant record-keeping obligations.

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