British Library

We are the national library of the UK. Our shelves hold over 170 million items - a living collection that gets bigger every day.

Although our roots extend back centuries, we collect everything published today, tomorrow and decades into the future. We have millions of books, but also newspapers, maps, sound recordings, patents and stamps.

Our spaces are open for study, a place to meet friends, to start up a new business or to get inspired by visiting our galleries and events.

We're continuing to experience a major technology outage as a result of a cyber-attack. Our buildings are open as usual, however, the outage is still affecting our website, online systems and services, as well as some onsite services. This is a temporary website, with limited content outlining the services that are currently available, as well as what's on at the Library.

I want to...

Researchers in a reading room at the British Library (copyright Mike O'Dwyer)

Consult the collection

Search our online catalogue to find most of our printed collections and some freely available online resources, but not everything is available.

Search the catalogue

A man studies a book at the British Library

Use the Library

Our Reading Rooms in London and Yorkshire are open, but access to our collection and online resources is limited.

What you can do

The outside of the British Library building in St Pancras, London

Visit our buildings

Our buildings in London and Yorkshire are open as usual. Find our opening hours, facilities and access information.

Visiting us

A laughing crowd at a British Library event

Attend an event

Discover what's on at the Library. We have five-star exhibitions, events and courses, family activities, free galleries and tours.

Attend an event

Three young children play at a British Library event

Find schools information

Explore our free workshops and activities for schools, available in London, Leeds and online.

Events and workshops

A man and a women hold a discussion at a BIPC event

Get business support

Start-up, protect or grow your business. Our centres across the UK offer expert advice for all stages of your business journey.

How we can help

Donate today and your support will be doubled thanks to the generosity of our match funders.

Donate now

Can you help preserve history?

Our conservation appeal is raising money to conserve the most fragile and rare items in our collection, to ensure they are available for generations to come.

News

Rebecca Lawrence appointed as Library’s new Chief Executive

Rebecca Lawrence has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of the British Library and will take up the role from 2 January 2025. She succeeds Sir Roly Keating, who has led the Library since 2012. Find out more.

Restoring our services - 10 October 2024 update

Restoring our services - 10 October 2024 update

Our CEO Sir Roly Keating shares a new blog about services we’ve recently restored, and our plans for the next phase of recovery from last October’s cyber-attack.

Our new sustainability strategy

Solar thermal tubes installed on the roof of St Pancras which harness sunshine to create hot water.

Our new sustainability strategy

This Green Libraries Week we are pleased to share our new Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy which sets out the practical action we’re taking in response to the climate crisis. Find out more.

Hard copy newspapers now available

Newspaper positioned upright with hands.

Hard copy newspapers now available

We’ve restored access to our hard copy newspaper collection, which you can consult in our Newsroom in London, and Boston Spa in Yorkshire. Search for what you need in our catalogue, and place your request using our new online form. Find out more.

Contact us

Please email customer@bl.uk (08.30 - 16.30 Monday to Friday).

Our telephone service is currently unavailable, apologies for any inconvenience.

Email customer@bl.uk