British Library

The British Library has had quite a transformation in recent years regarding how it engages with the public. This library is of course THE national library and has always been much loved and used by those in research communities but increasingly the Library has focused on reaching members of the public who do not need to consult original and/or rare books and manuscripts for their research. That means people like me and you, meaning the Library is a quality half day out or at least a place to spend a meaningful hour or two if you find yourself on Euston Road. The permanent galleries which show the highlights of the collection indiciate the sheer scale and ...

The British Library on Euston Road in London is in my mind one of London's hidden gems and an amazing place to visit. Don't think what a load of old books! It's so much more than that. Why? Not the huge collection of books where you can go and research any subject, but the hidden gem that is the Sir John Riblat Gallery, a mouthful for a room that contains original documents from the Magna Carta, the Lindisfarne Gospels, Captain Scott's journal from the ill fated Antarctic expedition to original lyrics of Beatles songs, one in fact written on the back of a first birthday card sent to Julian Lennon and so many more documents, books and musical scores. The ...

If you're a scientist, working in London who needs to get hold of an older scientific paper from an obscure journal, then the easiest way to get it is to pop along to the British Library. Or is it? The British Library is the UK's national library, it’s funded by the government to be the custodian of every book in print in the United Kingdom, and every issue of every periodical printed here (and many printed abroad). As a potential source of information, it's incomparable. The library has an exceptional collection of books, periodicals, manuscripts, stamps, patents, sound recordings, printed music and maps... but how easy is it to actually get ...