British Library
History
The British Library, established in 1973, is the national library of the United Kingdom and one of the largest libraries in the world. It was formed by the British Library Act 1972, which separated the library from the British Museum. The library's origins can be traced back to the foundation of the British Museum in 1753, which included a library section. The British Library Act 1972 transferred the library collections of the British Museum, the National Central Library, and the National Lending Library for Science and Technology to the British Library.
The library's main building, located at St Pancras in London, was opened to the public in 1997. The building was designed by the architect Sir Colin St John Wilson and is noted for its modernist architecture. The library also has a significant presence in Boston Spa, West Yorkshire, where it houses its Document Supply Centre.
Collections
The British Library's collections are vast and diverse, encompassing over 170 million items from many countries. These include books, manuscripts, newspapers, magazines, sound recordings, patents, maps, prints, drawings, and much more. The library's collections are constantly growing, with approximately three million new items added every year.
Printed Books
The library holds over 13 million printed books, including many rare and significant works. Among its treasures are the Gutenberg Bible, one of the earliest major books printed using movable type, and the Codex Sinaiticus, one of the oldest complete manuscripts of the Christian Bible. The library also holds the Diamond Sutra, the world's oldest dated printed book.
Manuscripts
The British Library's manuscript collection is one of the most important in the world. It includes the Lindisfarne Gospels, an illuminated manuscript produced around the year 700, and the Beowulf manuscript, the only surviving copy of the Old English epic poem. The library also holds a significant collection of medieval and Renaissance manuscripts, as well as modern literary manuscripts, such as the original manuscripts of works by Jane Austen, James Joyce, and Virginia Woolf.
Newspapers
The British Library's newspaper collection is one of the largest in the world, with over 60 million issues dating from the early 17th century to the present day. The collection includes newspapers from the UK and Ireland, as well as significant holdings from other countries. The library's Newspaper Library, located in Colindale, North London, was closed in 2013, and the collection was moved to a new facility in Boston Spa.
Sound Archives
The British Library's sound archives contain over 3.5 million recordings, including music, spoken word, and environmental sounds. The collection includes recordings of traditional music from around the world, as well as significant holdings of classical, jazz, and popular music. The library also holds a large collection of oral history recordings, including interviews with notable figures from various fields.
Maps
The British Library's map collection is one of the largest in the world, with over 4.5 million maps, atlases, and globes. The collection includes maps from all periods and regions, from medieval maps of the world to modern digital maps. Among the highlights of the collection are the Gough Map, one of the earliest maps of Britain, and the Klencke Atlas, one of the largest atlases in the world.
Services
The British Library offers a wide range of services to the public, researchers, and businesses. These include reading rooms, online resources, exhibitions, and educational programs.
Reading Rooms
The British Library's reading rooms are open to anyone who wishes to use the library's collections for research. The library has several reading rooms, each specializing in different types of materials, such as manuscripts, maps, and newspapers. The reading rooms are equipped with modern facilities, including computers, scanners, and microfilm readers.
Online Resources
The British Library provides access to a wide range of online resources, including digital collections, databases, and research guides. The library's website offers access to digitized versions of many of its most important collections, including manuscripts, maps, and sound recordings. The library also provides access to a wide range of subscription databases, covering subjects such as literature, history, and science.
Exhibitions
The British Library hosts a variety of exhibitions throughout the year, showcasing its collections and exploring different themes. The library's exhibition galleries feature a range of temporary and permanent exhibitions, including displays of rare books, manuscripts, and other items from the library's collections. The library also offers a range of online exhibitions, allowing people to explore its collections from anywhere in the world.
Educational Programs
The British Library offers a range of educational programs for schools, colleges, and universities, as well as for the general public. These programs include workshops, lectures, and tours, designed to help people learn more about the library's collections and the subjects they cover. The library also offers a range of online resources for educators, including lesson plans, research guides, and digital collections.
Research and Innovation
The British Library is a leading center for research and innovation, supporting researchers from around the world and developing new ways to access and use its collections.
Research Services
The British Library offers a range of research services, including research consultations, interlibrary loans, and access to specialist databases. The library's research staff are experts in their fields and can provide valuable assistance to researchers working on a wide range of topics.
Digital Innovation
The British Library is at the forefront of digital innovation, developing new technologies and methods to preserve and provide access to its collections. The library's digital collections include millions of digitized items, from manuscripts and maps to sound recordings and newspapers. The library is also involved in a range of digital research projects, exploring new ways to use and analyze its collections.
Collaborative Projects
The British Library collaborates with a wide range of institutions and organizations on research and innovation projects. These collaborations include partnerships with universities, museums, and other libraries, as well as with businesses and technology companies. The library's collaborative projects cover a wide range of subjects, from the digitization of historical collections to the development of new digital tools and technologies.
Governance and Funding
The British Library is a non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. The library is governed by a Board, which is responsible for setting the library's strategic direction and ensuring its financial stability.
Funding
The British Library is funded by a combination of government grants, commercial income, and donations. The library receives an annual grant from the UK government, which covers the majority of its operating costs. The library also generates income from a range of commercial activities, including publishing, retail, and licensing. In addition, the library receives donations from individuals, trusts, and foundations, which support its collections and services.
Governance
The British Library is governed by a Board, which is appointed by the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. The Board is responsible for setting the library's strategic direction and ensuring its financial stability. The library's Chief Executive is responsible for the day-to-day management of the library, supported by a senior management team.
Future Developments
The British Library is committed to continuing to develop its collections, services, and facilities to meet the needs of its users.
Collection Development
The British Library is constantly adding to its collections, acquiring new books, manuscripts, and other items from around the world. The library's collection development policy is guided by a commitment to preserving and providing access to the world's knowledge, and to supporting research and learning in all fields.
Digital Initiatives
The British Library is investing in a range of digital initiatives, aimed at preserving and providing access to its collections in new ways. These initiatives include the digitization of millions of items from the library's collections, as well as the development of new digital tools and platforms to support research and learning.
Facilities Development
The British Library is also investing in the development of its facilities, to ensure that they meet the needs of its users. This includes the ongoing development of the library's main building in St Pancras, as well as the expansion of its facilities in Boston Spa. The library is also exploring the development of new facilities in other parts of the UK, to provide greater access to its collections and services.