International networks and the British Library

Map of the world

The British Library takes a professional leadership role in the world's network of national libraries.

National library networks

Our Chief Executive Roly Keating is Chair of the Conference of European National Librarians (CENL). This is a network that supports and develops the role of national libraries in Europe, particularly in relation to their responsibilities to protect and share national cultural heritage.

We are also members of the Conference of Directors of National Libraries (CDNL) and the Consortium of European Research Libraries (CERL).

The British Library works closely with Europeana. The Europeana Sounds project is one of many instances of our work with other national institutions to make European heritage material more accessible to a global audience.

Professional memberships

Association of European Research Libraries (LIBER)

International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)

Specialist memberships

Our experts belong to a number of international preservation and information groups. These specialist organisations include: