Our vision
Knowledge Matters sets out our vision for the British Library’s future. Launched in 2023, the Library’s 50th anniversary year, it looks ahead to 2030.
About Knowledge Matters
Our mission is to make our intellectual heritage accessible to everyone, for research, inspiration and enjoyment. Read our Knowledge Matters strategy (PDF format) to learn more about how we contribute to research, culture, education and economic prosperity, for the benefit not just of the UK but of users and partners around the world.
50 years of the British Library
The big themes of Knowledge Matters
Access, engagement and inclusion
Ensuring that the services we offer, and the collection we hold, are truly ‘for everyone’.
Modernising our library services
Investing in skills, processes, systems and capabilities to deliver the quality of library services our users deserve.
Deepening our partnerships
Collaborating with libraries and memory institutions of all kinds across the UK and around the world, to achieve more than we ever could by ourselves.
Sustainability and resilience
Reducing our carbon impact and collaborating with partners to create a more sustainable future.
New spaces, North and South
In Yorkshire and in London, delivering new, world-class physical spaces designed to welcome future generations of visitors and users.
Purposes
Our six purposes show how the public funding we receive helps to deliver tangible public value.
Custodianship
We build, curate and preserve the UK’s national collection of published, written and digital content.
Research
We support and stimulate research of all kinds.
Business
We help businesses to innovate and grow.
Culture
We engage everyone with memorable cultural experiences.
Learning
We inspire young people and learners of all ages.
International
We work with partners around the world to advance knowledge and understanding.
User stories
Zing Tsjeng
Zing used our collection and Reading Rooms to research and write her Forgotten Women book series.
Mihai Popescu
Fashion student Mihai used our collection to research his Romanian heritage and inform his competition-winning fashion designs.
Amarachi Clarke
When Amarachi started her ethical chocolate-making business, Lucocoa, she found information and support at our Business & IP Centre.
Alex Johnson
Alex worked with our in-house Publishing team to write and produce six books, using imagery from our collection.
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