British Library

The British Library is the United Kingdom’s national library and one of the largest research libraries in the world, located at St Pancras in London. It was established as a separate national institution in 1973 and its main public building in St Pancras opened in the late 1990s.

The library’s collections exceed 170 million items, including books, newspapers, manuscripts, maps, music and sound recordings. Public facilities include exhibition galleries, a treasures display, reading rooms for registered readers and a large reference collection; the Sir John Ritblat Gallery showcases key historic items.

The British Library was formed under legislation in the early 1970s to bring together national collections previously held by other institutions and it developed the St Pancras building as a purpose-built national repository for the late 20th century. Over subsequent decades it has expanded its digital services and public exhibition programme.

The main building is sited at St Pancras in north-central London, adjacent to St Pancras International station and within the King’s Cross/St Pancras transport hub. The location places it close to other cultural institutions in central London.

• Reader access: A Reader Pass is required to consult most of the library's research collections; registration is done on site or online and requires ID and proof of address.
• Treasures display: The Sir John Ritblat Gallery displays highlights from the collections and is free to visit, while temporary exhibitions and events are often ticketed.

What to See #

• Sir John Ritblat Gallery (Treasures): A permanent gallery of historically significant items from the national collections, including illuminated manuscripts, early printed books and notable manuscripts and documents on public display.
• Reading Rooms: Specialist reading rooms and closed collections areas where registered readers and researchers consult original manuscripts, rare books and archival material by appointment.