2008 Press Releases
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Library thief convicted
November 21
Mr Farhad Hakimzadeh, a former British Library Reader, is due to appear at Wood Green Crown Court on Friday 21st November.
Now Online: "Europeana", Europe's Digital Library
November 20
Europeana, Europe’s multimedia online library opens to the public today.
The Sloane Printed Books Catalogue
November 18
New web resource from the British Library and the Wellcome Trust Centre for the History of Medicine at UCL
British Library online Annual Report scoops top award
November 17
Library reaches out to the iPlayer generation and wins Accountancy Age award – for the third time in four years
From a business plan to a worldwide brand:
Expert advice for start-ups from leading names in global entrepreneurship
November 06
It doesn't matter whether your business is big or small; anyone with a flair for creativity, hard work and the right research can go global. Budding entrepreneurs will have a unique chance to quiz the...
A 1,000-year fight for our freedoms and rights:
A major new exhibition opens at the British Library
October 28
Taking Liberties: The struggle for Britain's Freedoms and Rights (31 October 2008–1 March 2009, admission free) will explore 1,000 years of efforts to secure the civil liberties we enjoy today...
'Taking Liberties' Launch Special:
A night of freedom and protest songs
October 28
The British Library's major new exhibition Taking Liberties; The Struggle for Britain's Freedoms and Rights launches on Friday 31 October with a special night of live music, celebrating human dignity, freedom and rights.
The British Library wins two prestigious CBI employer awards
October 23
The British Library has won CBI’s 'Excellence in the Public Sector' and 'People's Organisation' awards. The Library was commended for its success in engaging its 2,100-strong workforce in a bid to embrace the digital age...
The Spoken Word: British Writers and American Writers
October 22
On 23 October 2008, the British Library releases two new additions to its popular series of literary spoken word CDs, featuring many previously unpublished recordings of great British and American writers, including Virginia Woolf, Noel Coward, Harold Pinter, Daphne du Maurier, E M Forster...
British Library Online Courses Shortlisted for E-Learning Solution of the Year
October 16
Intellectual property is a subject anyone with a business idea cannot afford to ignore...
October 15
British Library publishes two important new collections of Ted Hughes's broadcasts for the BBC...
Advancing the world's knowledge - British Library reveals new three-year strategy
October 15
The British Library today announces its key strategic priorities for the next three years. Building on our previous three-year strategy, Redefining the Library, the new strategy...
Saved for the nation: British Library acquires major Ted Hughes archive
October 14
The British Library has acquired an important archive of one of the most influential literary figures of post war Britain, the late Poet Laureate Ted Hughes (1930 –1998)...
Secrets of start-up success - How to make it in good times and bad
October 07
Information is key when starting up a business. When setting up a company amidst global financial downturn it becomes more crucial than ever to know your numbers, your market and the information sources you can go to in order to support your business case.
Life in the Country
October 03
Quotations by Jane Austen and silhouettes by her nephew James Edward Austen-Leigh
Cats in Books - A Celebration of Cat Illustration through the Ages
Edited by Rodney Dale
September 29
On 26 September 2008, the British Library publishes a lavishly illustrated volume featuring some of the finest depictions of cats as they have appeared in books over the centuries...
International experts meet to tackle global digital memory loss
September 25
British Library to host iPres digital preservation conference, 29-30 September 2008
British Library and Camden libraries present THE BIG READ
September 24
The British Library has joined up with Camden Council Library Service to organise a BIG READ to celebrate the National Year of Reading. The campaign will culminate in an exciting...
Dame Lynne Brindley DBE, Chief Executive of the British Library, appointed to the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
September 17
Dame Lynne Brindley DBE, Chief Executive of the British Library, welcoming her appointment stated: "I am honoured to have been selected to sit on the AHRC Council. Supporting research in arts and humanities in the UK is vital for the development of a creative and innovative knowledge economy...
Leading research institutions to further develop free global online access to findings of UK life sciences
September 16
Eight leading biomedical research funding organisations, including Government bodies, Research Councils and Charities, have approved funding to further develop the UK PubMed Central website (www.ukpmc.ac.uk) over the next three years...
Music in Purcell's London - an anniversary celebration at the British Library
September 12
On Saturday 4 October, the British Library and Purcell Society will mark anniversaries of three of London’s leading 17th-century composers, Henry Purcell, John Blow and Giovanni Battista Draghi, with a study day at the British Library Conference Centre...
New audio releases from the British Library
September 12
On 10 September 2008, the British Library releases the latest additions to its popular series of literary spoken word CDs, featuring previously unpublished BBC broadcasts of acclaimed British poets Edith Sitwell and George Barker...
The Golden Generation - New Light on Post-War British Theatre
September 10
On 8 September 2008, the British Library publishes a new book exploring a golden age of British theatre, from the end of the Second World War in 1945 to the abolition of theatre censorship in 1968...
September 10
The British Library presents the first complete full colour facsimile of William Tyndale's pioneering translation of the New Testament from Greek into English...
Saved for the nation: British Library acquires the Dering Roll
September 02
The Dering Roll, the oldest extant English roll of arms, dating from c. 1270-1280, has been acquired by the British Library following a successful fundraising campaign...
The fashion industry goes ethical: An evening with pioneering eco-fashion entrepreneurs
August 27
An eco-fashion show and expert advice from three leading ethical fashion entrepreneurs make Wednesday 17 September a not-to-be missed evening for anyone interested in building a business in fashion and design...
The Golden Generation British Theatre 1945 - 1968
August 26
The Golden Generation draws on the British Library's unparalleled collection of theatrical manuscripts, letters, photographs, and unique oral history recordings to explore the vibrancy of British theatre in the years following the end of the Second World War...
£265,000 research grant awarded to the British Library
ROYAL: Illuminated Manuscripts of the Kings and Queens of England
August 04
The British Library has been awarded £265,000 by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) to fund a major research project into the Library's collection of medieval and Renaissance Royal illuminated manuscripts.
Paccar and the British Library Announce Charitable Gift
July 30
The British Library has received a substantial donation from Paccar Inc to support activities which will redefine the role of the Library in the 21st century.
July 28
The British Library's innovative web resources to accompany its 2007 exhibition Sacred, focusing on the great texts of Christianity, Islam and Judaism, have been recognised at the annual Nominet Best Practice Challenge Awards.
The world's oldest Bible goes online
July 24
The launch of the website is the landmark first phase of an extensive online initiative to reunite the different parts of the Bible now held in four separate institutions.
British Library Sound Archive welcomes the Survey of Anglo-Welsh Dialects
July 23
The British Library Sound Archive has acquired the audio recordings of the Survey of Anglo-Welsh Dialects, a unique, in-depth investigation into the local vocabulary, pronunciation and grammar of English in Wales...
Bringing knowledge to life
July 23
Behind-the-scenes video clips of users and staff feature in British Library’s online Annual Report 2007/08
£9.84 million awarded to safeguard UK's research journals and provide central access point for academic community
July 17
The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) has announced nearly £10 million of funding for a groundbreaking collaboration between higher education libraries led by Imperial College London and the British Library following a successful 18-month pilot. The funding will enable the creation of the UK Research Reserve (UKRR).
The British Library Announces Collection Moves Strategy
July 17
In January 2009, the British Library will be starting a collection moves programme of low-use items. This is the largest programme of moves we have undertaken since the opening of St Pancras in 1998...
UK Premiere - The Royal Rarhi Chhau Dancers at the British Library
July 08
The British Library will host the first ever UK visit by The Royal Rarhi Chhau Dancers from 10 – 14 July 2008, as part of the celebrations for its free summer exhibition...
British Library launches Ramayana Group on Flickr
July 07
The British Library is calling for contributions to its new Flickr group dedicated to the great Indian epic, the Ramayana. Simply upload your photographs and images relating to the ...
Making it by design: An Open Evening with Sebastian Conran and Mandy Haberman
July 03
Free Q&A and networking event with designer Sebastian Conran and inventor Mandy Haberman at the British Library on Tuesday 29 July
The Big Bollywood Dance Class at the British Library
July 03
On Tuesday 8 July, the British Library will invite members of the public to join a mass outdoor Bollywood dance class as part of the celebrations for its free summer exhibition, The Ramayana: Love and Valour in India's Great Epic (16 May – 14 September 2008).
New research project to explore the nation's digital memories
July 02
From diaries, letters, jottings and photo albums to blogging, emailing, tweeting and flickr-ing, the digital revolution has affected enormously the ways in which we record our personal lives.
Reluctant Refuge: The Story of Asylum in Britain by Edie Friedman and Reva Klein
June 19
On 10 June 2008, the British Library publishes Reluctant Refuge: The Story of Asylum in Britain. Authors Edie Friedman and Reva Klein explore the many complex issues surrounding asylum, highlighting the realities behind applications for asylum ...
International agreement on global science online gateway announced
June 18
The British Library has announced the establishment of a multilateral alliance to govern the rapidly growing online gateway to international scientific research information...
Demystifying Start-up Finance: Free one-to-one advisory sessions with a business expert
June 09
You have the idea and the commitment but do you know to pitch your business plan to a venture capitalist, approach private equity firms or just walk in to your high-street bank?...
Beautiful Bird Songs From Around the World
May 29
On 29 May 2008, the British Library releases a 2 CD collection which brings together the beautiful bird songs of 40 species from across the globe...
The British Library 19th Century Book Digitisation Project
May 28
The British Library has over 20 years of experience digitising its collections. The mass digitisation of 19th century literature in partnership with Microsoft is one of fifteen British Library-led digitisation initiatives, currently taking place...
Over 7,000 journals now available for immediate download from the British Library
May 27
The British Library has responded to customers’ growing needs for instant digital access to research material by making 1,500 journals available...
LATE AT THE LIBRARY - The Ramayana: Love and Valour in India's Great Epic
May 23
On 5 June 2008, the British Library presents an open house evening inspired by summer exhibition The Ramayana: Love and Valour in India's Great Epic, in association with BBC Asian Network...
British Library Chief Executive receives honour from HRH The Prince of Wales
May 22
Lynne Brindley, Chief Executive of the British Library, was made a Dame of the British Empire in the New Year Honours...
Fay Godwin archive saved for the nation
May 07
The British Library has recently acquired the archive of the celebrated late photographer Fay Godwin (1931-2005)...
Dame Lynne Brindley DBE, Chief Executive of the British Library, appointed to Strategic Advisory Board for Intellectual Property (SABIP)
May 02
Free engravings to give away to every reader, satirical stories about the Royal Family and advice on whether it is correct for a recently widowed husband to marry his sister-in-law: these aren't press features from today's newsstands but from papers 150 years ago.
Witnessing history first-hand: a new online edition of 19th century newspapers and periodicals
April 28
Free engravings to give away to every reader, satirical stories about the Royal Family and advice on whether it is correct for a recently widowed husband to marry his sister-in-law: these aren't press features from today's newsstands but from papers 150 years ago.
From East to West
April 28
British Library exhibition From East to West displays some of the finest examples of East Asian printing, many of them rare or previously unseen.
The Spoken Word: Evelyn Waugh
April 15
On 15 April 2008, the British Library releases the latest addition to its popular series of literary spoken word CDs, featuring previously unpublished BBC broadcasts of Evelyn Waugh, recorded 1938 – 1963. Released to coincide with the 80th anniversary...
Intellectual property simplified with the help of new British Library e-courses
April 10
The British Library is today launching an innovative and comprehensive distance learning website that will allow anyone interested in learning about intellectual property to do so without a headache. “Intellectual Property – How to Protect and Develop Your Idea”...
Ethical business expert launches free advice sessions at the British Library
April 08
All aspiring ethical entrepreneurs seriously thinking about breaking into the world of business are now being urged to apply for the advisory sessions with one of the brightest stars in social enterprise at the British Library Business & IP Centre (www.bl.uk/bipc).
Are you desperately seeking finance?
April 08
After all the hard work your business dream hits a wall when despite the brilliant ideas and planning your funding pitch brings no results. Four leading business advisers will take to...
"Digital is not different" say 93% of UK researchers
April 08
Access to online research material should be the same as for books - say 93% of respondents to a British Library survey on researchers' attitudes and needs in the digital age. An overwhelming majority of the survey participants agreed that...
Free WiFi at the British Library from 1 October 2008
March 31
The British Library's St Pancras site will offer WiFi internet access free of charge from 1 October 2008. The free WiFi service will initially be a six month pilot scheme.
Users Get Their Say Developing the European Library
March 17
The Hague (The Netherlands) – The European Library is pleased to announce the formation of its Users Advisory Board...
What is Magna Carta?
March 13
British Library poll reveals nearly half of us don’t know...
These boots were made for...
March 07
Van Gogh’s down at heel boots were the first thing to appear on the test website of the European digital library today...
February 28
Building a successful company or securing a seat in the boardroom can still be a real challenge for aspiring women entrepreneurs. On 17 March the British Library brings together five remarkable women who have all made their business ideas into reality...
The Ramayana: Love and Valour in India's Great Epic 16 May - 14 September 2008, Pearson Gallery, British Library, Admission Free
February 22
The Ramayana, one of the world's greatest and most enduring stories, is considered to be fundamental to the art and culture of India and South East Asia and is still regularly performed in dance, drama and shadow-puppet theatres around the world...
Ian Snowley appointed Head of Higher Education at the British Library
February 12
Ian Snowley appointed as the British Library’s new Head of Higher Education. Ian will take up his new post on March 10th...
'Embracing the Spirit of the Avant Garde' postgraduate competition: Winning entry now on display at British Library
February 12
Avant Garde in the 21st century is revealed through a new installation at the British Library by competition winner Rebecca Pohancenik...
Find love at the Library....
February 06
The British Library presents a relaxed and fun open house for single people on Wednesday 13 February, as part of its popular series of 'Mingles'. The event offers the chance to meet like-minded others and to enjoy the Library's galleries, temporary exhibitions and some special treats laid on for the occasion.
British Library Sacred exhibition nominated for The Art Fund Prize
February 01
The British Library’s blockbuster exhibition, Sacred: Discover what we share (27 April – 23 September 2007) has been long-listed for the prestigious award, The Art Fund Prize. Sacred attracted record numbers of visitors...
Bloomsbury Below Stairs - Grace Higgens at Charleston, 1920-1970
January 29
Bloomsbury Below Stairs draws on the recently acquired archive of Grace Higgens (1903-1983), who worked for over 50 years at Charleston Farmhouse, Sussex, a country haven for the artists Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant and their circle of unconventional and ...
Spectacular hidden treasures online for the first time
January 24
Five hidden treasures from public library collections across the UK are now accessible to an online audience of millions. Selected as the winning texts in a nationwide competition, pages of each have been digitised and transformed into Turning the Pages 2.0™...
Pioneering research shows 'Google Generation' is a myth
January 16
A new study overturns the common assumption that the ‘Google Generation' – youngsters born or brought up in the Internet age – is the most web-literate. The first ever virtual longitudinal study carried out by the CIBER research team at University College London...
British Library celebrates awards success in 2007
January 11
The British Library won an unprecedented number of awards in 2007. Colleagues and departments across the Library, including Human Resources, Web Services, Business, Publishing and Corporate Communications, were all recognised for their...
Exceptions in copyright law are fundamental to the economy says CEO of the British Library Dame Lynne Brindley
January 09
A launch of a new consultation on the future of copyright law sparks fresh debate.
His Own Domain: Harold Pinter, A Life in Theatre: 10 January to 13 April 2008
January 09
‘His Own Domain' pays tribute to Harold Pinter's life in the theatre as an actor, director, and writer of some of the most significant and celebrated plays of the 20th century. This small display in the British Library's Sir John Ritblat Gallery features a range of unique...
British Library Chief Executive made a Dame in New Year Honours
January 02
Lynne Brindley, Chief Executive of the British Library, has been made a Dame of the British Empire in the New Year Honours. She receives the honour for services to education, having led the British Library since July 2000.