This month in Learning
Discovering Children's Books
Explore centuries of stories, poems and illustrations with Discovering Children's Books. For children, teachers and book-lovers of all ages.
British Accents and Dialects
Listen to the UK's rich landscape of regional accents and dialects and understand the differences and similarities with our expert commentary
Playtimes
Explore a collection of film and audio recordings documenting 100 years of children’s songs, rhymes and games.
Coast
From mermaids and grey seals to crashing waves and shipping forecasts, discover the sounds and stories scattered along the shore.
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, Religious Studies and Citizenship
Discovering Literature: Shakespeare & Renaissance writers
Learn more about the world of Shakespeare & Renaissance writers. Explore a range of critical views on key plays & poems.
World War One
Discover how World War One affected people on different sides of the conflict via this collection of over 500 historical sources contributed by libraries from across Europe.
Magna Carta
Explore the origins & 800-year legacy of Magna Carta, & discover its relevance to justice, liberty & the law today.
Featured teaching resources
A range of teaching resources to help you plan lessons, design schemes of work and set homework tasks
19th-century non-fiction texts: Education
This thematic collection (drawn from Discovering Literature: Romantics and Victorians) will allow students to read and understand 19th-century non-fiction texts, and support them in identifying key features for a range of genres, audiences and purposes.
Ages 14 to 16
Ages 16 to 18
West India Regiments
Subjects explored in this pack include colonial history, empire, the slave trade, and military history. The West India Regiments project explores how British-armed people of African descent served within the wider British Army in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Ages 11 to 14
Priestley's An Inspector Calls: social responsibility
Develop understanding and examine the theme of social responsibility, and use the medium of drama to present character's views.
Ages 11 to 14
Ages 14 to 16
Learning projects
West Africa community project
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.