British Library

Our St Pancras site will be closed for essential maintenance work over two upcoming weekends: Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 May Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 June If you have requested to consult collection items during this time, or are a ticket holder of an impacted event, we’ll be in touch with you directly by email. Further closures will be required to complete this maintenance work and we will share details once they have been confirmed. We appreciate your understanding as we carry out these important works. Find out more and see the latest updates on our website: link.bl.uk/5ym

Our St Pancras opening hours will be affected by planned tube strikes this week. For a full list of amended hours, visit our website: bl.uk/stories/news

We have identified an issue that is preventing recently registered or renewed Readers accessing their account to request items. We are working to resolve this as quickly as possible but recommend waiting until next week to visit Reader Registration. Find out more here: link.bl.uk/abt

Our St Pancras site will be closed this weekend on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 March for essential maintenance work. Find out more and see the latest updates on our website: link.bl.uk/5ym

On Tuesday 3 March, the Piazza and Entrance Hall at our St Pancras site will close from 17.00 for a private event, including the Treasures Gallery, shops and Origin Café. All other public areas and Reading Rooms will remain open. Between 17.00–20.00 please enter and leave via Gate 8 on Midland Road.

The Treasures Gallery will be closed on Friday 27 February for maintenance. Anyone affected bookers have been contacted. We're sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

Our St Pancras site will be closed on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 March for essential maintenance work. We are sorry for the inconvenience this may cause. There are further details on our website for affected Readers and bookers here link.bl.uk/5ym

Want to learn more about how libraries can promote positive climate action? Join us on 26 February to explore how libraries can contribute to a circular economy. Book your free place: link.bl.uk/9sy

A dragon has landed at the British Library! 🐉✨ Our magical family exhibition Fairy Tales opens on 27 March, bringing together beautiful books and artwork, interactive displays, and stories from around the world. Tickets are on sale now at link.bl.uk/FairyTales This exhibition is supported by @WaylandGames Illustration ©️ Chris Riddell

We're delighted to have acquired the archive of writer and essayist Ronald Blythe, best known for book Akenfield, which explores changing rural life in Suffolk during the 20th century. Discover more in this blog post by curator Helen Melody: link.bl.uk/86s

Due to an issue with the water supply, our Boston Spa Reading Room will be closed on Friday 16 January. There is also the possibility of disruption on Monday 19 January, please check our social media channels for any updates before you visit. We’re very sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

Coming soon…Story Explorers in Leeds 🚀 🐯 🌊 Our popular Story Explorers exhibition is launching off to Leeds Central Library. Explore imaginary worlds in this free, playful family experience. Find out more here: link.bl.uk/gpg

Have you completed a PhD in the last 10 years? Applications are open for our Postdoctoral Visiting Fellowship in Sustainability and Environment. Funding covers an £8000 bursary for part-time (0.5) research over 8 months, plus travel expenses. Apply by Monday 9 February. link.bl.uk/VisitingFellow…

Last night we were thrilled to host an event celebrating one of Agatha Christie’s finest novels, The Seven Dials Mystery from 1929, to celebrate its upcoming @NetflixUK adaptation. To talk about the making of this hotly-anticipated release, we welcomed cast members Mia McKenna Bruce, Helena Bonham Carter and Martin Freeman, director and executive producer Chris Sweeney and writer and executive producer Chris Chibnall. This discussion was particularly special, ahead of our own major exhibition exploring the life and works of Agatha Christie in autumn 2026. We’re thrilled to be partnering with Netflix on these exciting literary conversations, continuing the momentum from our recent events with the director and cast of The Thursday Murder Club and Frankenstein. Photography: Craig Gibson, Still Moving for Netflix