The British Library

We’re now able to confirm restoration dates for some of our key services. From 2 September you can order more content from our storage facilities in Yorkshire, on 9 September 100 of our most-used learning resources will again be available, and from 30 September you will be able to request collection items remotely and view 1,000 of our digitised manuscripts. Our CEO Sir Roly Keating explains more in his latest blog: https://lnkd.in/gpjpA6gv #BritishLibrary #Library #Collection

As Beyond the Bassline closes at our St Pancras site, we’re proud to highlight the remarkable impact our pop-up exhibitions in public libraries have had on local communities across the UK through the Living Knowledge Network. Our panels have visited over 60 diverse locations so far including libraries, carnivals, community centres, and even a cathedral, and have not only brought the story of 500 years of Black British Music to life but have also fostered a deeper connection between people and their cultural heritage. We've also seen fantastic programming from public libraries celebrating the national story of Black British music. From a dedicated stage at the Mansfield Carnival in Nottinghamshire to music workshops that introduced musical storytelling, djembe drumming, and mixing to participants of all ages. Libraries have come alive with performances that span jazz, reggae, classical music, and spoken word, showcasing the rich tapestry of Black music in Britain. Special displays have been curated to highlight local histories, drawing from archives and collections in cities like Sheffield, Leeds, and Bristol, honoring the contributions of communities. Did you have the chance to experience a Beyond the Bassline panel exhibition or participate in one of our events? We’d love to hear how these experiences impacted you and your community. Share your stories with us, and discover more about the Living Knowledge Network by exploring our extensive archive of past events: https://lnkd.in/ep58TZh2. #BritishLibrary #Library #Exhibition #BeyondTheBassline #LivingKnowledgeNetwork

We're transforming our West Yorkshire site in Boston Spa thanks to the Foyle Foundation.   Since our planning application to Leeds City Council was approved in 2021, we’ve made significant headway in our Boston Spa transformation programme Boston Spa Renewed. With the help of significant government investment through Department for Culture, Media and Sport, we've started the construction of new and much-needed storage for our ever-expanding collection to ensure it can keep growing long into the future for the next generation of researchers.    Now thanks to additional funding from the Foyle Foundation we'll also be able to open up our collection with a public viewing gallery in our archives and a new learning space, giving visitors, schools and community groups the chance to see how we power each journey of discovery. We're grateful to be one of the legacy grant recipients of the Foyle Foundation and in recognition of their support we’ll be naming our new spaces the Foyle Viewing Gallery and Foyle Learning Centre.    Sustainability is central to this project, and working with a team of specialist partners – including architect Carmody Groarke, landscape designers J&L Gibbons, and our main contractor Wates Group – we're aiming to make this building low carbon, with an emphasis on air tightness and energy minimisation.    Discover more about our essential, sustainable and cutting-edge storage facilities, which we plan to open by mid-2026: https://lnkd.in/eyZ4zCtW #BritishLibrary #Library #Collection #Archive #BostonSpa #Sustainability

Our Young Creators Lab is well and truly underway! We’re thrilled to be working with 12 talented young people aged 18-24 to open up the wonders of our collection through their own unique perspectives. So far the group has been delving into the themes of music and identity inspired by our Beyond the Bassline exhibition, and recently met curator Dr Aleema Gray. You can explore the stories they uncover over on our TikTok channel throughout August. Follow us on TikTok to keep up to date with their progress: https://bit.ly/BL-TikTok Young Creators Lab is generously supported by the Helen Hamlyn Trust #BritishLibrary #Library #BeyondTheBassline #YoungCreators #SocialMedia #TikTok

Want to get creative this summer or know a young person who does? If you're aged 14-17 and love telling stories, join us this 19-23 August for a free animation workshop and create your own short stop-motion films inspired by wonders from our collection. Apply now: https://lnkd.in/eNjkJTPq Animated Archives is part of our Young Sparks programme and is generously supported by the Helen Hamlyn Trust. #BritishLibrary #Library #Collections #Careers #Opportunities #SocialMedia #YoungCreators

Calling all library and heritage professionals! Did you know our Living Knowledge Network (LKN) offers free professional development webinars? Explore how to connect with communities through cultural programming, develop your professional practice and hone new skills. You’ll gain insights into a wide range of topics, from audience development and evaluation methods to marketing and social media. Our next session on Wednesday 31 July delves into the sustainability journey of Wakefield Libraries, examining how the service has embedded sustainable practices in their work following Wakefield Council’s Declaration of Climate Emergency in 2019. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/dZDpyKSH #BritishLibrary #Library #LivingKnowledgeNetwork #Sustainability #Webinar

Join us in person or online for a conference marking 20 years of our Endangered Archives Programme, with keynote speakers Hisham Matar, Jane Winters and Kọ́lá Túbọ̀sún. You’ll have the opportunity to network with colleagues at institutions and activists in documentary heritage preservation, and explore topics crucial to safeguarding documentary heritage and cultural legacy. Book your place: https://lnkd.in/eQP8dMmq #BritishLibrary #Library #Archives #Heritage

We were delighted to welcome library professionals from around the world to our International Library Leaders Programme this week 🎉 Our visiting library delegates took part in a packed programme, including going behind the scenes at our sites in Boston Spa and St Pancras, hearing from experts in conservation and collection care, and networking with fellow peers in the sector. Interested in joining us in 2025? Keep an eye on our website or get in touch at international@bl.uk #BritishLibrary #Library #LibraryProfessionals

Our Summer Scholars season is back! These free, in-person lunchtime talks explore the exciting and wide-ranging research being undertaken into our Americas and Oceania collections by Eccles Institute fellows, Award winners and Library staff. This programme consists of five fascinating events on topics such as the works of James Baldwin, Canadian musical heritage, Georges III’s political pamphlets and much more, featuring original materials held in our extensive collection. See the full line up below, and find out more online: https://lnkd.in/ePgcRazC   𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟮 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆: Examine the cultural exchanges that shaped the musical landscape of early Canada and the vision of the future offered at the New York World’s Fair of 1939. 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟮 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆: Gain unique insight into the creative process behind Sandstone Steps, a transatlantic collaboration between artists Maddy Rosenberg and Hugh Bryden. 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟲 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆: Explore the life of scholar, missionary and abolitionist Augustus Hanson as well as the wide-ranging influences that shaped the representation of Andean music in the UK. 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟭 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁: Explore Music and Childhood in James Baldwin's Little Man, Little Man: A Story of Childhood. 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟱 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁: Discover research into the political pamphlets of King George III as well as the archives of HM Bark Endeavour. #BritishLibrary #Library #Research #Lectures

We’re reflecting on the incredible partnership between our Living Knowledge Network and Hay Festival last month. Together, we brought over 140 screenings to 38 public libraries across the UK, from bustling city centres to charming rural community hubs. The sounds of Jeff Kinney’s gameshow, MC Grammar’s raps, and Hamza Yassin’s captivating tales of hippos sparked the imaginations of young library lovers. Max Hastings, Tom Holland, and Bettany Hughes transported us through history. And Elizabeth Day became our best friend. Thank you, Hay Festival and all our dedicated library partners, for making this extraordinary experience possible. Your collaboration brought the festival’s magic to life, enriching communities and inspiring countless individuals through the heart of our local libraries. Discover more about our Living Knowledge Network partnership: https://bit.ly/BLLKN #BritishLibrary #Library #LivingKnowledgeNetwork #HayFestival