We are the national library of the United Kingdom and give access to the world’s most comprehensive research collection. We provide information services to academic, business, research and scientific communities.

Our collection of over 170 million items includes artefacts from every age of written civilisation. We keep the nation’s archive of printed and digital publications, adding around three million new items to our collection every year.

We have many books, but we have so much more. Our London and Yorkshire sites have everything from newspapers to sound recordings, patents, prints and drawings, maps and manuscripts. Our inspiring exhibitions interpret these collections and bring their stories to the public.

Press releases

British Library’s 2023 Food Season

British Library extension given green light by Camden Council

Roly Keating, Chief Executive of the British Library, knighted in New Year Honours 2023

Writer’s Award 2023 goes to Ayanna Lloyd Banwo and Jarred McGinnis

More press releases

Living Knowledge

Living Knowledge sets out the British Library’s vision for its future development as it looks ahead to 2023, the year of its 50th anniversary as the national library of the United Kingdom.

Shelves in the Boston Spa site.

Custodianship

We build, curate and preserve the UK’s national collection of published, written and digital content.

People studying at desks in front of the King's Library inside the British Library.

Research

We support and stimulate research of all kinds.

Woman at an event holding an ipad.

Business

We help businesses to innovate and grow.

Singers with microphones in front of an audience at the British Library.

Culture

We engage everyone with memorable cultural experiences.

Children around an exhibition case.

Learning

We inspire young people and learners of all ages.

Crowd of people looking at an exhibition case.

International

We work with partners around the world to advance knowledge and understanding.

More about our vision

Philanthropy Impact Report

A class of primary school children seated on the floor with a girl in the centre raising her hand.

Philanthropy Impact Report 2020-21

Helping us open up a world of inspiration and ideas for everyone.

Work with us

Opportunities at the British Library

Careers

Find out what it's like to work here from the people themselves.

Brass numbers used to number and identify Library desks.

Supplying the Library

Learn about procurement procedures and becoming a supplier to the British Library.

A hand taking a book down from a shelf.

PLR

Register for Public Lending Right (PLR) to receive payments each time that a public library lends out a copy of your work.

Pages of book.

Legal deposit

Find out about your responsibility as a UK publisher to provide a copy of every work to the British Library.

More opportunities

Annual report and accounts

Each year the British Library publishes its annual report and accounts for the 12 months ending 31 March. Read our latest annual report (PDF format).

Annual Report