This month in Learning
Drawing Masterclass: Animal Encounters
Take inspiration from the epic adventures of James Cook’s artists and their journeys into the unknown
Family Activity: Architecture Explorers
Take a journey from the red bricks of the British Library to the striking pink palaces of Jaipur and use your imagination to design your very own building! Families will have a chance to experiment with different materials and collage to make 2D pictures or a 3D model.
West India Regiments
Use the history of the West India Regiments to explore armed people of African descent serving within the wider British army to bring improved understanding of the nature of racial thought from the 18th to 20th centuries.
James Cook: The Voyages – School Workshops
Now booking: free exhibition workshops for Primary and Secondary school groups in the 'James Cook: The Voyages' exhibition
Visits and workshops
Inspirational visits to engage learners with our unique collections
Primary schools
We offer a range of free workshops for primary school groups which use our gallery spaces to develop creative thinking, visual and verbal literacy and research skills.
Secondary schools and college workshops
We offer a range of free workshops for secondary schools and further education groups which use our gallery spaces to develop creative thinking, visual and verbal literacy and research skills.
Adult learning
We offer a range of learning opportunities for adults, from in-depth courses and masterclasses to workshops for ESOL learners and adults with learning disabilities.
Family activities
From regular monthly workshops to special Family Days, we welcome families to the British Library to take part in a range of creative activities designed for all the family.
Teacher events and CPD
Our Continuing Professional Development programme includes evening events and day-long conferences, many of which are in partnership with other institutions. We provide opportunities for teachers to broaden their subject knowledge and reinvigorate their passion for their subject.
How to book your visit
Practical information about bringing your group to the British Library, from completing our booking form to details on getting here.
Featured online resources
Unique collection items and expert commentary related to History, English and Citizenship
Romantics and Victorians
Discover some of our greatest literary treasures from the Romantic and Victorian periods, and learn about the historical, social and political contexts in which they were written and set.
World War One
Discover how World War One affected people on different sides of the conflict through the study of this unique collection of 500 historical sources contributed by libraries from across Europe, as part of a programme led by Europeana
Magna Carta
Explore the origins and 800-year legacy of Magna Carta, and discover its relevance to justice, liberty and the law today. This unique collection of historical sources is contextualised through articles and videos from leading experts.
Featured teaching resources
A range of teaching resources to help you plan lessons, design schemes of work and set homework tasks
What can Magna Carta tell us about life in medieval times?
Magna Carta is an extremely rich source of evidence about life and customs in the 13th century. This activity will enable students to get better acquainted with both the 13th century and Magna Carta as well as provide an introduction to enquiry skills and handling historical evidence.
Ages 7 to 11
Ages 11 to 14
Shelley’s Frankenstein: The Ghost Story Challenge
Historical background for Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.
Ages 14 to 16
Ages 16 to 18
India and World War One
The aim of this lesson is to introduce the role and contribution of the Indian forces on the Western Front.
Ages 11 to 14
Ages 14 to 16
Ages 16 to 18
Learning projects
Community Programme
Film series from the recent West Africa Community Project
Case studies
…I don’t think you could ask for a more conducive learning environment…
Teacher Chris Levack regularly brings his students to the British Library for inspirational visits.
…we felt like we had a bond with everybody…
Jessica Rodgers took part in our Writing London project in 2012 engaging young people aged 16-24, outside of formal education, with library and heritage collections.