Welcome to the Private Libraries Association Website

The Private Libraries Association (PLA) is an international society of nearly 500 book collectors - collectors of rare books, fine books, single authors, special subjects and above all, collectors of books for the simple pleasure of reading and ownership. Meetings are held to hear lectures on cognate subjects as well as book sales and visits to museums and famous libraries. The PLA is a registered charity and is also an organization in liaison with CILIP*. If you use Facebook, join our group (PLA) where you can converse with other book collectors and post your own queries for others to answer.

The Association's quarterly journal, The Private Library, includes substantial essays and is well illustrated and supported by full checklists where these would be useful. Concentrating on books that can be collected today, it has published essays on members' libraries, specialized collections, the work of private presses, illustrators and indeed any aspect of the mania likely to appeal to collectors. Reviews of new books and notes on recent private press books are regular features.

Also issued quarterly are the Newsletter and Exchange List, the latter includes details of books that members are willing to give to others and books they wish to sell or obtain. Correspondence within the Association is encouraged and to this end the Members' Handbook is issued, listing addresses and collecting interests. A series of illustrated books and pamphlets on specialized aspects of bibliophilia has been issued. Apart from a book issued free to members every year or so, certain books are published on a subscription basis and are offered to members at substantially reduced prices. Details are on our books page. [ * Formerly the Library Association]
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This website was last updated on 11th May 2013.*********************************