Treasures
With more than 150 million items in our collections, the British Library is truly one of the world’s great research libraries.
Major treasures include Magna Carta, Leonardo da Vinci’s notebook, Shakespeare’s First Folio and Mozart’s handwritten catalogue, many of which are on display for all our visitors to enjoy in the Sir John Ritblat Treasures Gallery.
Our vision for the future is to expand the possibilities for research, learning and cultural enrichment to everyone.
With your help, we can:
- Bring our outstanding collections to life through our engaging exhibitions programme for school students and lifelong learners alike
- Acquire important new collection items, preserving our shared cultural heritage and opening up previously unexplored research opportunities
- Safeguard rare, precious and fragile items for future generations by conserving those in most urgent need
- Transform access to our collections through the innovative application of new digital technologies
The British Library is one of the most beautiful and inspiring places in England. Sadly, I'm leaving the UK to return home to Australia and wanted to make a contribution that would ensure others can feel inspired to open the pages of a book and enter a new world of knowledge.
Tara Larkin
A book by H E Bates changed my life forever. The pen truly is mightier than the sword and words can take you to a place no other medium can ever reach. I read to enjoy and, most importantly, to escape. Books are our escape from reality and our anchor back to our life.
Adam Churchill