Conservation appeal
Conserve the past. Inspire the future.
Our collection is at the heart of everything we do. Across London and Yorkshire, we care for more than 170 million books, manuscripts and artefacts, preserving even the most fragile items so they can continue to inspire research, fuel innovation and spark new discoveries.
Your support could help us conserve a rare philosophical pamphlet written and personally printed by US Founding Father Benjamin Franklin; treasured volumes from our Lady Eccles Oscar Wilde collection including one of Wilde’s copies of Poems written by Lord Alfred Douglas; and a beautiful 19th-century painting depicting a scene from the Hindu epic the Ramayana.
The first £30,000 will be matched by our generous funders, the British Library Collections Trust. Donate today and your impact will be doubled, ensuring that our collection will be brought to life for curious researchers, forever.
“That these items have survived, despite Oscar's dramatic fall from grace and imprisonment in 1895, is testament to their enduring importance. Conservation will ensure that they remain valuable source material for future researchers.”
Merlin Holland, grandson of Oscar Wilde
How can I help?
Remember, the first £30,000 raised will be matched, doubling any gift you make today.
£12,000.00
raised of £60,000 target by 2 supporters
Thank you for donating to this appeal. You’re helping us to keep our collection safe for future generations.
Our sincere thanks go to The British Library Collections Trust, who kindly supported the appeal as match funders.
For those in the US who would still like to give to this appeal, please click here to get in touch with the American Trust for the British Library.
