Private Libraries Association
Analysis
Private Libraries Association is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Hull. It was registered in January 1996, 30 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training and arts/culture/heritage/science, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. It says it provides advocacy/advice/information and sponsors or undertakes research.
In the financial year ending December 2025, Private Libraries Association reported income of £19k and spending of £48k, spending 256% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income fell from £19k to £19k (-2.0%), an average of -0.5% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2022, when income dropped by 19%. Over the whole period it spent 131% of the income it received.
Among 17,634 England and Wales charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, Private Libraries Association sits at the 47th percentile: it is larger than about 47% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 43rd percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Quenington Sculpture Trust (£19k), North Hampshire Organists' Association (£19k) and Marlow Museum Centre Project (£19k).
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Other 100%
In the charity's own words
Founded in 1956, the Private Libraries Association is an international society of book collectors - collectors of rare books, fine books, single authors, special subjects, and, above all, collectors of books for the simple pleasures of reading and ownership.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Quenington Sculpture Trust | Cirencester | £19k |
| North Hampshire Organists' Association | Guildford | £19k |
| Marlow Museum Centre Project | Marlow | £19k |
| Winnall Rock School | Hampshire | £19k |