We have now reopened our exhibition galleries, and released tickets for our Reading Rooms, Reader Registration and public desks, which will all reopen on Tuesday 8 December.
Remember, you must wear a face covering when you visit to keep everyone safe.
Pre-book to visit:
Unfinished Business: The Fight for Women's Rights
From bodily autonomy and the right to education, to self-expression and protest, this new exhibition explores how feminist activism in the UK has its roots in the complex history of women’s rights. With social and racial inequalities thrown into sharp relief by recent world events, join the debate and add your voice to the many fighting for a fairer world.
Hebrew Manuscripts: Journeys of the Written Word
Journey beyond the Bible to discover the history, culture and personal stories of Jewish people through the ages. Rarely-seen treasures from as far back as the 10th century will take you from Europe and North Africa, to the Middle East and China. Along the way you’ll meet the sages versed in magic, Kabbalah and alchemy, and even learn a love potion or two, as you discover the power of the written word.
Generously supported by the Dr Michael and Anna Brynberg Charitable Foundation.
Sir John Ritblat Gallery: Treasures of the British Library
Magna Carta. Shakespeare. Florence Nightingale. Gandhi. Explore some of the world’s most significant books, maps and manuscripts on a journey around the best-loved treasures in our collection, for free. Find out what you’ll see in the gallery in our blog post.
Khadija Saye: in this space we breathe
Composed of nine powerfully evocative self-portraits, this display of prints by Gambian-British artist Khadija Saye explores her enduring fascination with traditions of spirituality, and marks her concern with ‘how trauma is embodied in the black experience’. You can see this exhibition on the Upper Ground Floor by pre-booking a free ticket, or with any other pre-booked exhibition ticket.
Desks in our public areas
We’ve increased the number of desks in our public areas for you to return to work here. You’ll need to pre-book a desk and your booking will be from 10.30 until the building closes.
Members’ Room
For working or relaxing, we’re really pleased to have reopened our Members’ Room with a pre-booked ticket. We’re limiting capacity to keep everyone safe, but look forward to welcoming back more Members as soon as we can.
Reading Rooms
Tickets are now available for our Reading Rooms in St Pancras and Boston Spa, for visits between 8 December and 9 January. You’ll need a Reader Pass to research here.
We're always open online
Whether you’re researching or relaxing we’ve got something to keep you busy. Our digital events season continues, and if you miss an event live you can always catch up with our British Library Player. Or, if you’d rather be hands-on, our adult courses are now digital so you can learn from your living room. And if it’s digital research you need, try searching Available online in our catalogue, to just return results you can access from anywhere.
We’re always here to help. You can chat instantly with our Reference team – or send them an email – and they’ll help you keep researching.
Whether it’s in person or online, we can’t wait to welcome you back to the Library.
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