BOOKS MATTER

Welcome to the Private Libraries Association 2026

"What is the use of a book" said Alice, "without pictures or conversation?"

There will always be pictures because there will always be words,

so let's start the conversation...

Now online: 'Fine Press Bibliography 2011-2026'

Libraries and books are mostly about paper and ink, but online publication counts too! Not least when new information and insight is constantly presenting itself. And so it is with Howard Kistler's 'Fine Press Bibliography 2011-2026', first published online on 14th August 2025, and now in version 6 of 10th June 2026. 170k words across nearly 400 pages, a magnificent achievement and lots more to come.

See the work: HERE

To investigate membership of the PLA, please go HERE

Now published: two more issues of 'Private Library'

Seventh Series Volume 7 Issues 1 & 2 are now published (July 2026).

Editors David Butcher and Paul Nash, and contributors bring us 'The Book of British Ballads', and 'The Primrose Academy'

See the PL issues here:

BALLADS & PRIMROSE

Private Library Seventh Series Volume 1:1 Spring 2018

'Early Private Presses' by David Chambers

A Review that originally appeared in the Journal 'Parenthesis' (volume 50)

By David McKitterick

By kind permission of the Fine Press Book Association

Go HERE

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2025

Ourlast PLA agm took place online (via ZOOM) at 2pm on Wednesday 10th September 2025. Those members who attended were able to participate in the management of our Association. Jim Maslen, the PLA secretary, has prepared the draft minutes.

Thank you for attending last 10th September, and see you later this year.

Read the draft agm minutes: HERE

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2026

The PLA 2026 AGM will be held at 2pm on Wednesday 9th September 2026. It will be held via Zoom and is open to all members, and no special software needs to be installed. if you wish to participate please contact PLA Secretary, Jim Maslen, and you will be sent the relevant paperwork and the link that you will need to access the meeting. (If you are not yet a member, please join HERE)

WE HAVE A NEW PRESIDENT!

Please meet Sebastian Carter: HERE

Who we are & what we do

Founded in 1956, The Private Libraries Association is an international society for collectors of rare antiquarian books, modern fine-press books, books by particular authors, illustrators and publishers, books on specialist subjects, and much besides...

Above all, the PLA is for those who collect books for the pleasure of handling and reading and ownership, and for the joys of a book simply as an object, written, designed, printed, bound, and associated with care and attention and love.

We publish the well-regarded quarterly journal, The Private Library , which prints serious (and not so serious!) essays by members and others about their libraries, specialised collections, the work of interesting printers and private presses, illustrators, and bookbinders, and any other aspect of 'the book' likely to appeal to collectors. Reviews of new books are also a regular feature.

A series of illustrated works on specialised aspects of book collecting has been issued over the past fifty years, and you'll find those still in print described in our current Books Catalogue HERE .

Also available is the annual bibliography Private Press Books , the definitive checklist for private press output worldwide, in English, from 1960 to 2010. We are proud to say that The Private Libraries Association has published PPB since 1959.

And of course we welcome new members... See below.

One of the endearing vagaries of our Association is that nothing happens as one might expect... This 'Winter 22' issue of PL appeared in 2025! What is more, it wasn't even the colour expected... It had a red cover. Hey-ho, for the PLA!

Examples of the terrific input from PLA members:

'Fine Press Bibliography 2011-2025: A work in progress' Click HERE

'Eliza Giffard: family, home, library, and novels' Click HERE

Become a member of the Private Libraries Association today

This year, 2026, marks our 70th anniversary, as enthusiasm for all things Private Library Association continues to grow.

You are very welcome to become a member of the Private Libraries Association, and join this community of hundreds of individual and institutional enthusiasts for the book.

To help encourage anyone who loves books to join us, we keep the annual subscription to a modest £40 (UK rate). And for that, all members receive our well-respected quarterly journal, packed with interesting articles on all manner of subjects relating to books. Members also receive discounts on all our publications and a free, and beautifully printed and bound members' book every 2-3 years.

There is also the opportunity to come together at our occasional events, zoom lectures, and of course you can join in with the general conversation online with other members.

Students, and anyone under the age of 26, will receive membership at only £20.

Just click on the button below, and find out more...

JOIN TODAY

NEWS

Spencer Stuart: update

By Richard Martin • June 20, 2026

Spencer Stuart: an update Members will remember that in early May 2026, Spencer Stuart spoke to us on Zoom about the book-related services he offers, and later in May there was a follow-up in-person meeting at Bryars & Bryars (in Cecil Court, London) by kind invitation of Tim Bryars. Spencer sums up his approach: "From examining the technological and economic changes to the book trade and auction arena, and comparing with the current experience for collectors actively building their libraries, I can demonstrate that the passion for collecting is alive and well, but (more than a quarter of the way into the Century) traditional models for developing collections, both privately and institutionally, are no longer common practice. These changes have impacted emerging collectors concerning how they set out and define their collecting focus, as well as mature collectors looking to plan the future of their existing collections. In my writings, I explore many topics that are current in the Wold of Collecting, and I invite you to stay in touch with current developments, and contact me directly with any inquiries about how I might help you with any aspects of your collection. I give you a link below to my current book, and at the foot of that page you will find my contact details." Link to order Spencer's book: https://spencerwstuart.ca/book/ Bryar & Bryar's Bookshop in Cecil Court where Spencer Stuart's talk took place

Bookbindings

By Richard Martin • May 30, 2026

A splendid telling of the long story about the bindings of books

Bookbinding workshop

By Richard Martin • April 10, 2026

Learn How To Make A Sketchbook Tutor: Sam Treadaway When: Saturday 20th June, 2026, 10am-3pm Where: The Bookery, 21 High Street, Crediton, Devon, EX17 3AH Full fee: £70.00 (Benefit/Low Wage £60.00) To book, click: HERE

Small Presses in the Rocky Mountains West

By Richard Martin • April 1, 2026

Small Presses In the Rocky Mountains West By Richard L Hardesty

Tracing Frankenstein

By Richard Martin • March 26, 2026

Tracing Frankenstein: Editions, Performances, and Inspired Fictions By Mattias Tornquist

21st Century Book Collecting: A talk

By Richard Martin • March 14, 2026

21st Century Collecting A talk for members of the Private Libraries Association and anyone else interested in books and book collecting Spencer W Stuart shares the low-down on what is happening in the book-collecting world in an online talk at 6pm (BST) on Tuesday 12th May 2026