3 What are our priorities and how are we doing

Strategic plans

The Library's statement of Vision and Purpose for 2015-2023, Living Knowledge (PDF format).

The Library's Living Knowledge for Everyone 2020 mid-term strategy.

The Library's previous Vision for the year 2020 (PDF format).

The Library's previous strategic plan from 2011-2015, Growing Knowledge (PDF format).

A report by the British Library for Arts Council England and Carnegie UK Trust: Digital Transformations for UK public libraries: Five approaches to a ‘single digital presence’ (PDF format)

The Library's Technology Strategy 2021-2023 (PDF format)

The Library's Race Equality Action Plan 2022 (PDF Format)

Annual business plan

The Library's business plan for 2018/19 (PDF format) outlines our current priorities. 

Our previous business plans from 2017/18 (PDF format), 2016/17 (PDF format) and 2015/16 (PDF format) are also available.

Annual report

A copy of our current and previous year's annual reports.

The Library's KPIs and other performance statistics for 2017/18 (PDF format). 

Internal and external reviews of our performance

An executive summary (PDF format) of a report detailing the economic value that the British Library delivers to its users and UK society as a whole. The full report (PDF format) is also available.

Statistics relating to our performance can also be found in our Annual Report. 

Funding agreement reports

After the close of financial year 2007-08, DCMS discontinued the requirement for the Library to report in this way as the relevant data is now routinely included in our Annual Reports. 

Privacy Impact Assessments

Nothing to report. 

Service standards

An overview of the British Library's code of service. 

Visitor figures and audience research

Annual number of visitors to the British Library's onsite or virtual public access facilities:
 (Note: Due to COVID pandemic restrictions the Library was closed to visitors or operating with reduced customer capacity throughout 2020-2021)
  • 2020/21 - 27,050,000
  • 2019/20 - 28,274000
  • 2018/19 - 28,764 000
  • 2017/18 - 27,134,000
  • 2016/17 - 25,415,000
  • 2015/16 - 21,123,000
  • 2014/15 - 19,930,000

Catalogue records and legal deposit items

Bibliographic services (number of records in British Library catalogues and databases), items received on legal deposit, and collection development (holdings).

Until 2015-16, some of these figures were provided in the Library's Annual Report. As of 2016-17, they are available here:

Freedom of Information performance statistics

Details of the British Library's performance on handling requests for information (Excel format) under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.