About FNL

Founded in 1931, Friends of the National Libraries saves our written and printed heritage  through acquisition grants to national and regional archives, libraries and collections.  FNL is the only UK charity focusing solely on supporting acquisitions in this area: it is the equivalent of the Art Fund for rare books, manuscripts and fine bindings.

FNL's history is an illustrious one and its contribution to the UK’s national book, manuscript and archive collections is unrivalled.  You can read about it in Friends of the National Libraries: a short history by FNL's immediate past Chairman, Lord Egremont. 

fnl_a_short_history.pdf

The FNL saves our written and printed heritage by:

• giving grants for acquisitions to eligible institutions;
• fundraising to increase the FNL's own funds for grant-giving and for some acquisitions of pre-eminent collections - such as that by The Ruskin - Library Museum and Research Centre in 2019/19;
• acting as a conduit for gifits of books and collections to collecting institutions. This is done either directly or as part of an acceptance in lieu arrangement, as FNL is a Schedule 3 body.

In 2018 FNL awarded more grants, to a greater total value, than ever before: over 50 grants totalling just under £300,000.  Demand for our grants continues to grow at an unprecedented rate, with grant giving in 2019 likely to exceed 2018. However this is placing huge pressure on our limited resources with the risk that nationally important books, manuscripts and collections will be lost to the public domain because we cannot support their acquisition.  You can help us by becoming a member and/or by supporting our work with a donation, to find out more follow this link.

You can find out more about FNL's record-breaking year in 2018 by downloading our annual report, which has fascinating mini essays on every acquisition supported by FNL.    

fnl_annual_report_2018.pdf