2009 Press Releases
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Musical manuscripts hit the right note online
December 14
On 14 December, digital versions of Handel's Messiah and My Ladye Nevells Booke - a unique 16th-century volume of keyboard music by William Byrd, will be launched online...
British Library welcomes public consultation on e-legal deposit
December 11
The British Library welcomes the statement made by the Minister for Culture and Tourism, the Rt Hon Margaret Hodge MBE MP, announcing a public consultation on the Collection and Preservation of UK Offline and Microform Publications and UK Online Publications
BBC and British Library join forces to broaden access to their archives
December 11
Significant partnership to integrate access to material is welcome news for researchers...
Minister opens British Library’s new £26 million storage facility in Yorkshire – the most advanced in the world.
December 03
The world's most advanced library storage facility has been officially opened at the British Library's Boston Spa site in West Yorkshire.
The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam 14 December 2009 - 21 February 2010
December 03
Opening on 14 December in the Folio Society Gallery at the British Library, The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam marks the 150th anniversary of Edward FitzGerald's publication of The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam...
Libraries Within the Library
November 30
Libraries Within the Library: The Origins of the British Library's Printed Collections is a new book that that helps to answer one of the most frequently asked questions at the British Library - 'How did the British Library acquire its books?'
British Library press statement: settlement reached in Hakimzadeh case
November 27
The British Library and Mr Farhad Hakimzadeh have agreed a settlement...
The British Library Improves Electronic Access with New DRM Platform from leading provider, FileOpen Systems
November 26
Responding to customer demand, the British Library, supplying over 1.6m articles every year to researchers all over the world, has added FileOpen to its choice of delivery options via its Document Supply Service.
British Library welcomes orphan works commitments
November 23
Researchers to benefit from proposals announced today in the Digital Economy Bill.
British Library Business Baby Boomer
November 23
Just one of thousands of innovative individuals using the British Library to help them drive their business forward and stimulate economic recovery, Business & IP Centre Entrepreneur of the Month, Jim Shaikh, launches yoomi - a revolutionary self-warming baby bottle!
Women Unlimited: calling out for 'extraordinary female entrepreneurs'
November 19
Women Unlimited (www.women-unlimited.co.uk), the UK's fastest growing organisation focused on supporting women business owners, is calling out to the UK's female entrepreneurs to ‘be extraordinary'.
Enterprising Voices - Driving recovery
November 16
A report of Candid views from entrepreneurs and SMEs on how the Government can pull the UK out of recession will be launched by the British Library Business & IP Centre tomorrow at the opening of Global Entrepreneurship Week.
Digital Library passes half-million milestone
November 13
British Library adds 500,000th digital item to long-term storage facility
Untold chapter of WWI's forgotten voices
November 09
The British Library has acquired an archive of 821 digital audio recordings from shellac discs (original gramophones) held at the Berliner Lautarchiv at the Humboldt University in Berlin, including the oldest known collection of English dialect sound recordings in existence.
John Keats: A Poet and His Manuscripts
November 05
John Keats: A Poet and His Manuscripts is a new book that presents the surviving manuscripts of English Romantic poet John Keats's finest poems and letters, providing a unique visual record of the poet's creative processes.
Mapping the needs of a generation
November 05
Interim findings of major study of doctoral researchers indicate urgent need for libraries and universities to develop their understanding of ‘Generation Y'
British Library to Launch Global Entrepreneurship Week
November 04
‘Global Entrepreneurship: Driving the Recovery'
Monday 16 November, 09:30 - 12:00 - British Library Conference Centre
British Library Launches New Business Podcasts
November 03
Created by the British Library's Business & IP Centre, ‘Business Bytes', a new series of monthly podcasts, will offer aspiring entrepreneurs inspiration and advice from some of the UK's top business leaders.
Transitions in Scholarly Communications
November 02
The scholarly communications landscape has been transformed over the past few years, in the UK and across the world. Technological change has brought – and continues to bring – profound changes in the roles that researchers, funders, research institutions, publishers, aggregators, libraries and ...
Points of View: Capturing the 19th Century in Photographs
November 02
Opening on 30 October, the British Library's first ever major photographic exhibition - Points of View: Capturing the 19th Century in Photographs - is a free exhibition that examines the development and...
Life scientists' information use - one size does not fit all
November 02
Report of research patterns in life sciences reveals that researcher practices diverge from policies promoted by funders and information service providers
British Library scoops platinum rating and two awards in Disability Standard awards 2009
October 30
Employers' Forum on Disability recognises progress by UK national library
British Library welcomes Government's copyright roadmap
October 30
Researchers to benefit from proposals announced yesterday by Lord Mandelson and Minister for IP, David Lammy MP
Points of View: Capturing the 19th Century in Photographs
October 29
Opening on 30 October, the British Library's first ever major photographic exhibition - Points of View: Capturing the 19th Century in Photographs - is a free exhibition that examines the development and influence of photography, from its invention in 1839 up to the growth of a popular amateur...
How can we maximise the impact of the UK's research base to meet national priorities?
October 28
The British Library, London – A policy roundtable organised by the 1994 Group and the British Library earlier today brought together senior decision makers to discuss the future of research policy.
33m pounds saves the World's Greatest Newspaper Collection for the Nation
October 16
The British Library has today received a commitment of £33m from the Government to preserve and make accessible the world's greatest newspaper collection.
British Library to archive Gormley's virtual plinth
October 15
As part of its continuing efforts to record the nation's cultural and intellectual heritage in the digital age, the British Library is delighted to announce that it will be working in partnership with sculptor Anthony Gormley to archive the online presence of his astonishing living monument 'One & Other'.
The Essential Shakespeare Live - Encore
October 14
Royal Shakespeare Company and British Library launch second CD set featuring live recordings.
British Library acquires the archive of writer and feminist thinker Eva Figes
October 12
The British Library has acquired an important archive of the anti-realist, experimental novelist Eva Figes. The nine box archive comprises notebooks, letters, typescripts and proofs of Figes' novels and non-fiction.
19th Century Live
October 01
Essential 19th century newspaper resource provides immediate, rich, fertile content for researchers and journalists
How to make a pile of walking compost sexy and the joys of drawing penguins
September 25
The British Library launches the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) Talks from the 1980s online at http://sounds.bl.uk
Global Roles for Small Businesses: The Importance of Entrepreneurs to Economic Recovery
September 16
'Global Entrepreneurship: Driving the Recovery'
British Library Explores Landscape of Genetic Mapping
September 16
'Personal GenoME and Medicine: Hype or Reality?'
Skills and knowledge for the 21st century
September 15
British Library Preservation Advisory Centre - the new name for the National Preservation Office
UK Research Reserve signs up 15 Higher Education Institutions
September 14
Groundbreaking research reserve reaches significant milestone with cross UK higher education support.
Global science community shares wealth of knowledge
September 11
The world's most important open access scientific resource...
Spend Christmas with Mr Pickwick this year
September 09
Help to preserve the world's greatest book collection with a literary gift with a twist from the British Library.
Hoaxing the Royal Navy, throwing butter at lunch and leaving a Cézanne in a hedge - The Bloomsbury Group in action
September 09
The British Library releases a new collection in its popular series of literary spoken word CDs...
British Library launches new careers website
September 08
New-look careers website presents Library as a rewarding and exciting place to work for potential and current employees.
Cashing in on creativity
September 04
'From Brainwave to Business: Building Success from Your Intellectual Property'
Rowdy pub sessions in England and Yanggona ceremonial chants in Fiji
September 04
The British Library launches new traditional and world music collections online...
Exploring the virtual bookshelf
September 03
British Library extends 'New Ways of Reading' display – providing dedicated space for researchers to get to grips with the latest technologies driving the digital reading revolution.
'In a Bloomsbury Square': T.S. Eliot the Publisher
August 27
British Library explores T.S. Eliot's work as a publisher in a new exhibition to mark the 80th anniversary of Faber and Faber.
Last chance to see Henry VIII: Man and Monarch at the British Library - ends 6 September
August 21
This is the last chance to see Henry VIII: Man and Monarch at the British Library (ends 6 September).
British Library seeks support to keep English naval explorer's journal from sailing abroad
August 19
The Culture Minister has placed a temporary export bar on the previously unknown journal of British naval pioneer, Sir John Narbrough, giving the British Library its only chance to save it for our nation's seafaring heritage.
2.0 Entrepreneurs
August 13
British Library Business & IP Centre launches new website - www.bl.uk/bipc as part of its ongoing web 2.0 strategy to engage and inspire a new generation of innovative entrepreneurs.
Points of View: Capturing the 19th Century in Photographs
August 04
170 years since its invention, photography remains the main technology through which we understand and record the world. Camera phones are now ubiquitous, but in its infancy, photography was an expensive, elaborate and experimental pursuit. POINTS OF VIEW - the British Library's first ever...
Magna Carta awarded unique UN status
July 30
The four surviving copies of the 1215 Magna Carta have been awarded 'Memory of the World' status by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) today, in recognition of their outstanding universal value.
A is for Acquisition, B is for British Library, C is for Conservation
July 29
The British Library has acquired the Macclesfield Alphabet Book, a rare medieval English 'model' or 'pattern' book dating from c.1500, with support from the National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF), independent charity The Art Fund, Friends of the British Library and National Libraries and other individual donors.
Join our knowledge network
July 27
This year's Annual Report highlights the progress the British Library has made in sharing, preserving and advancing knowledge. Find out more by visiting the British Library's online Annual Report and Accounts 2008/09 at: www.bl.uk/knowledgenetwork
Anthony Blunt memoir becomes available in British Library Reading Rooms
July 23
From today the manuscript memoir of Anthony Blunt will become available for study by historians and researchers via the British Library's Reading Rooms. The manuscript, which has been held on reserve for 25 years, will be made available to registered Readers through the Manuscripts Reading Room.
Courtship snorts and warning thumps
July 15
On 16 July, the British Library Sound Archive will add to its popular series of wildlife recordings with the launch of a new educational CD.
Extended Opening Hours for Henry VIII: Man and Monarch at the British Library
July 13
From 27 July 2009, the British Library's Henry VIII: Man and Monarch exhibition will be open until 8pm, Monday to Thursday.
Keep the Cash Flowing .
July 09
'Surviving and Thriving: Controlling Costs to Boost Your Business' - Tuesday 14 July 2009, 18:15 - 20:00
The world's oldest bible reunited online
July 06
A remarkable collaboration between institutions in the UK, Germany, Egypt, and Russia has succeeded in reuniting virtually more than 800 pages and fragments from the world's oldest surviving Christian bible, Codex Sinaiticus.
International collaboration steers future of mass digitisation
July 01
Feeding into the EU's i2010 vision to significantly improve access to Europe's cultural heritage, the British Library and the University of Salford have teamed up with a group of 15 institutions from across the continent as part of the four-year IMPACT project - IMProving ACcess to Text - to...
British Library events and exhibitions
July - September 2009
June 29
Discover the world's knowledge. For further information visit www.bl.uk/whatson or call +44 (0)1937 546 546.
Winners Announced for the inaugural Michael Marks Awards for Poetry Pamphlets
June 25
The winners of the Michael Marks Awards for Poetry Pamphlets have been announced and demonstrate the rich spectrum of poetry being published in the UK.
Frances Brindle appointed British Library Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications
June 24
Frances Brindle has recently been appointed as the British Library's new Director of Strategic and Marketing and Communications (SM&C).
An Alpine Acquisition Adventure: John Berger's archive donated to the British Library
June 20
The British Library has acquired the archive of eminent writer, critic and thinker John Berger.
Read all about it!
June 18
Two million online digitised pages of 19th century newspapers take researchers back to the future.
Dame Lynne Brindley responds to Digital Britain report conclusions
June 17
Chief Executive of the British Library calls for a coherent UK national digital strategy to include mass digitisation of content and digital literacy skills.
King Henry VIII rocked Glastonbury's green fields
June 5
Exactly 500 years since Henry VIII's coronation, the British Library is celebrating England's most infamous monarch with a lavish late night of Tudor festivities on 24 June 2009.
LIFE3 project granted third phase funding
June 4
Pioneering project to further develop support for permanent access to digital information.
June 2
Forget another pair of socks or a shirt for Father's Day this year; why not try something completely different that is both imaginative and unique?
Original Dragon Hosts Business Boot Camp at the British Library
June 2
Providing the crucial knowledge and experience needed to start a business, on June 15 and 22 former BBC2 Dragon, Doug Richard, offers London's aspiring entrepreneurs a fast-track guide to success with the 'School for Startups'.
Creative credit crunch solutions from the British Library's Marketing Maestros
May 29
Essential for the long term success of any business, developing a brand can take years and requires constant and consistent effort. To remain competitive in an increasingly tight financial climate, entrepreneurs must think more creatively in order to win customers and ensure their business continues to grow.
Fashion Exhibit at the British Library
May 29
Luxury label Motasem provides inspiration with Nightingale and Lotus dress display
4 June - 3 July 2009.
TV world premiere of thousand year old Beowulf manuscript
May 28
Written around the year 1000, the story of the only known surviving copy of Beowulf hits our television screens today (Thursday 28 May) on BBC4 at 9pm.
Maybe it's because you're a Londoner
May 27
Explore the history of England's capital through the medium of song.
Rich poetry pickings from the British Library's sound archive - Bob Cobbing, Robert Graves and Stevie Smith live in performance
May 26
On 26 May 2009, the British Library releases three new poetry collections in its popular series of literary spoken word CDs, featuring rarely-heard recordings of Bob Cobbing, Robert Graves and Stevie Smith.
Yes they can! Voices of the future powered by the past
May 21
Led by the British Library, Campaign! Make an Impact is a unique programme that uses history to inspire young people to run campaigns about issues which affect them today.
Shortlist Announced for the Michael Marks Awards for Poetry Pamphlets
May 20
The British Library has today (20 May) announced the shortlist for the Michael Marks Awards for Poetry Pamphlets, in partnership with the Poetry Book Society and with the generous support of the Michael Marks Charitable Trust.
British Library invites readers to explore the future of the book
May 19
Launching today, over the next three months a new display from the British Library will give readers the chance to test drive three e-readers from Sony and iRex Technologies currently available in the UK.
Edward Lear: A 2009 British Library Facsimile Selection
May 18
Extremely popular in the 19th century, this April the British Library is publishing two beautiful facsimile editions of Lear's Nonsense Songs and Stories (1888) and Nonsense Botany and Nonsense Alphabets (1889), allowing new audiences to experience his wonderful combination of poetry and prose, accompanied by his own intricately drawn illustrations and pictorial depictions.
Mystery Beatles lyric is a dream display at the British Library
May 08
A previously unseen George Harrison lyric, found by author and collector Hunter Davies, goes on display at the British Library today (8 May).
Copyright - what is the future for education and research?
May 06
British Library debate signifies a Golden Opportunity to create a vibrant research environment which fully utilises technological developments for education and research.
Visit to British Library by Dr. Barham Saleh, Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq
May 01
The Deputy Prime Minister to Iraq, Dr. Barham Saleh visited the British Library as part of his visit to London on Thursday 30th April 2009. He was greeted at the British Library by British Library Chief Executive Dame Lynne Brindley and Neil MacGregor, Director, British Museum.
Essential ethics for Business Success: How to stand out from your competitors
May 01
In the current climate both consumers and investors are demanding greater integrity from the business community. Across the business landscape, ethically driven entrepreneurs have an opportunity to become the heroes and heroines of the economic downturn, generating jobs and championing a more sustainable future.
Your King Needs YOU!
April 29
Be England's most infamous King for the day at the British Library's Henry look-alike gathering.
The British Library and young people prepare to retell our stories to a watching world for the Cultural Olympiad
April 29
The British Library and young people across the nation, are taking part in a major new project for the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad, it was announced today.
The credit crunch king how Henry VIII died in debt and other things you didn't know
April 22
Henry VIII would have been at home in today's recession, research from the British Library suggests.
'Henry VIII: Man and Monarch' - Family events programme
April 14
May Day Celebration and other family events at the British Library to accompany exhibition marking the 500th anniversary of Henry VIII's accession to the throne.
Handel's Messiah: A Facsimile
April 07
Marking the 250th anniversary of Handel's death, the British Library is publishing a full colour facsimile of the composer's most famous work, Messiah.
Farrells awarded British Library Master Plan Tender
April 06
Following a rigorous tender process, the British Library is today announcing that it has appointed Farrells as its architectural partner to work on the Master Planning of its 9 acre site at St Pancras, London. Consultants were asked to submit proposals to work with the Library on a Master Plan for...
Coastal and Countryside Bird Sounds from the British Library
April 02
On 2 April, the British Library Sound Archive will add to its popular series of wildlife recordings with the launch of two new educational CDs designed to help ornithology enthusiasts and budding naturalists identify over 100 species of Britain's coastal and countryside birds.
British Library Press statement: The Lindisfarne Gospels
March 24
The British Library Board has accepted the recommendation of an independent group of world experts in the care of historic manuscripts that the Lindisfarne Gospels can be temporarily loaned to appropriate institutions.
You press the button, we do the rest
March 18
Historic archive of Kodak Ltd donated to the British Library and De Montfort University.
'Hoodies or Altar Boys? What is media stereotyping doing to our
British boys?'
March 16
Impact of media demonisation on teenage boys: launch of exclusive research by Women in Journalism.
Making a name in the world of Science
March 16
Following the theme of 'change' for Science Week 2009, the British Library facilitates debate on the future value of taxonomy in a rapidly changing world of biological research.
'Twinkle Twinkle Little Bat'
March 16
400 years of children's poetry.
'Henry VIII: Man and Monarch' 23 April - 6 September 2009
March 16
Landmark British Library exhibition to be guest-curated by Dr. David Starkey.
Politicos to view Robin Cook MP's archived website
March 16
Web Archive displays late politician's website at British Library House of Commons exhibition.
Classical Research in the Digital Age
March 12
The British Library's Archival Sound Recordings project, supported by JISC (Joint Information Systems Committee), launches a vital new resource for the exploration of western classical music heritage http://sounds.bl.uk/.
Graham Swift's archive acquired by the British Library
March 11
Acclaimed novelist's manuscripts, correspondence and papers saved for nation.
British Library acquires The Communist Manifesto
March 09
Only complete first edition in UK obtained by national library.
Female entrepreneurs take on the credit crunch
March 06
'Mothers of Invention' Event, in partnership with HSBC
British Library - 18:15 - 20:00 10 March 2009.
It's raining women at the British Library!
March 02
Calling all men, your National Library needs you. Set against the stunning backdrop of the British Library's grand entrance hall, the 'Mingle' event offers London's literary gents the perfect...
Dame Lynne Brindley receives 2009 Miles Conrad Award
February 23
British Library CEO recognised for major contribution to the information community.
The Art Fund helps British Library acquire Futurist metal book 100 years after the founding of Futurism
February 20
A rare metal book, Parole in Libertà., produced in 1932 by Italian avant-garde artists Filippo Tommaso Marinetti (1876-1944) and Tullio D'Albisola (1899-1971) has been bought by the British Library with help of independent charity The Art Fund.
UK Research Reserve Phase 2 launched today
February 19
The UK Research Reserve (UKRR) programme is launched today at a reception at the Royal Geographical Society.
Plan for success with a business blueprint
February 17
Business success can never be guaranteed, but with the current economic climate presenting new challenges, inexperienced entrepreneurs must seek every opportunity to reduce risk and investigate tried and tested routes to success.
The Love Letter that Changed the Nation
February 13
Concealed in the Vatican for almost five centuries, Henry VIII’s declaration of his 'unchangeable intention' to marry Anne Boleyn returns to London as part of the British Library’s major new exhibition Henry VIII: Man and Monarch.
Listen up!
February 13
More than a century of knowledge resides uniquely in the grooves and tracks of the British Library Sound Archive and similar institutions world-wide, yet this resource remains relatively inaccessible...
The Michael Marks Awards for Poetry Pamphlets Launched
February 03
British Library and the Poetry Book Society to celebrate the vital role of the pamphlet form in connecting poets with their audiences.
Have you got the ability to make it in business?
February 02
Make your Business Succeed - British Library Conference Centre | Tuesday 3 February 2009, 10:00 - 16:00.
A Valentine's gift for all (book) lovers...
February 02
Inflame the ardour of your loved one with a romantic gift that will last a lifetime.
British Library seeks support for cultural heritage
February 02
The British Library is seeking individual donations to help purchase the Macclesfield Alphabet Book, a rare medieval 'model' or 'pattern' book dating from c.1500.
UNSEEN: A Collaboration
Jane Bustin, Tracy Chevalier, John Hull
February 02
12 January - 14 March 2009, 2nd and 3rd floor landings in the Front Hall of the British Library, 96 Euston Road, London NW1 2DB.
The Sound and the Fury: The Power of Public Speaking
February 02
A New Exhibition at the British Library - Opens 3 Feb.
A spring clean for the digital attic
January 29
First conference on Digital Lives to be held at the British Library, 9-11 February, 2009.
British Library Holocaust recordings launched online
January 27
Marking Holocaust Memorial Day, the latest addition to the JISC funded Archival Sound Recordings website...
Spotlight on 'Generation Y'
January 21
British Library and JISC announce ground-breaking three-year study into the research behaviour of 'Generation Y' scholars.
Dame Lynne Brindley challenges Government on Digital Britain
January 21
Chief Executive of the British Library calls for a coherent UK national digital strategy to include mass digitisation of content and digital literacy skills.
Library thief
convicted
January 16
Mr Farhad Hakimzadeh was sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court to two
years imprisonment.
Bouncing back from business nightmares
January 14
'Business Nightmares and How to Recover From Them: The Entrepreneurs Masterclass' - Wednesday 21 January 2009, 18:15 - 21:00.
The Burney Collection of 17th and 18th Century Newspapers - free online
January 13
The largest single online collection of English news media from the 17th and 18th centuries - the Burney Collection - is now available free of charge for the first time to Higher and Further Education institutions and Research Councils across the UK.