WiFi at the British Library

WiFi image

WiFi is available in the Library's London and Boston Spa Reading Rooms and in all our public areas in London.

WiFi is available in all Reading Rooms and, in London, in all public areas including the café on the piazza. Eduroam is also available at the Library.

To use our WiFi you must have a British Library Online Account. You will already have a British Library Online Account if you are:

How do I get online?

To connect to the Library’s WiFi, when you’re here, view the available wireless networks on your device in the usual way and select BL Public WiFi. Open your browser and:

  • if you already have a British Library Online Account, enter your British Library username and password to login.
  • if you don’t have a British Library Online Account, click the Register for WiFi link on the login page and follow the onscreen instructions. Registering will only take a couple of minutes, and has the following advantages:
    • you choose your own password
    • you can login to the service as soon as you’ve registered
    • if you forget either your username of password, you can get email reminders
    • you can manage your own account (updating it as required)
    • you can sign up for online newsletters and email updates for Library services or events that interest you
    • if, in the future, you want to use other Library services you will be able to use your account details to do this.

If you have any problems registering, additional advice and information is available from the Reading Rooms and Information Desk.

If you have any questions about our WiFi, please ask a member of staff or see the FAQs.

For registration, username/ password problems, contact:

Customer Services

Monday – Friday 09.00 – 16.30
Telephone: 01937 546060 (or ext.6060 from a Library phone)
Email: Customer-Services@bl.uk

For all other enquiries, please contact our helpline service on 020 7412 7005 (during Library opening hours). Please note: this helpline will not be able to assist you with registration or forgotten username/password issues.

Restrictions

  • The Library has web filtering software in place to prevent access to websites which are inappropriate for viewing in a public area. If you feel that a site has been miscategorised, or you have a legitimate research need to use a site that is blocked, email electronic-services@bl.uk with the URL of the website you are trying to access.
  • We ask you not to obstruct entrances or passageways, and not to create trip hazards by connecting cables to power sockets, when you are using your devices.
  • The first-floor Terrace Restaurant is reserved for dining only and we ask that laptops not be used in this area. Other seating areas for WiFi use are available on the upper ground and first floors.

Please see the Terms of Use, the Policy on Internet Access at the British Library and the Guidelines on the appropriate use of the Internet and the Library’s WiFi service for more details.

eduroam

eduroam is an external service that enables students and academic staff from participating institutions to use their academic credentials to securely access the internet from any participating institution.

  • The British Library is a participating institution and complies with the 'Home' and 'Visited' requirements. A home institution is one which permits other organisations to authenticate its users whilst they are at the remote site. Once configured for eduroam your device will be ready when you visit a participating organisation.
  • A visited institution is one which permits members from other organisations to use its facilities whilst they are on site.

If your home educational institution participates in eduroam, you should apply to them for a login. You can check for a list of participating organisations.

Any device you wish to use to access the service needs to be configured first. Once configured, your device should automatically connect to eduroam when you come onto Library premises. If it does not automatically connect, you should use the login details provided by your home institution to access eduroam at the Library. eduroam login details are distinct from British Library WiFi Username/ British Library Online Account details.

All users must be aware of and abide by the Policy on Internet Access at the British Library and the JANET Acceptable Use Policy when connecting to any British Library network. Web filtering is in place and access logs are kept to uniquely identify individual users if a breach of regulations is reported, or malicious activity detected.

If you have problems, contact your IT support at your home institution.