I used the British Library for the first time last Thursday. An incredible building not far from the Indigo Clothing offices and near Kings Cross train station. Did you know they receive a copy of every publication produced in the UK and Ireland and the collection includes 150 million items, in most known languages?
Trying to get a card to access one of the many reading rooms seemed harder than renewing my UK passport, so if you are tempted to use the facility make sure you have all the ID they demand, before they begin the lengthy process of taking a digital photo and checking your reading list. Then, even if you cross your fingers, join the cloakroom queue to hand in your bag and pens (only pencils allowed!), you’ll be told there are in fact no seats left in the reading room and books take over an hour to be fetched from the basement. Next time I go, I am going to arrive early and better prepared!
The BL has an excellent Business and IP Centre which is well worth using too and in the past Indigo has helped members of this department with their research. Last year we also produced t-shirts for one of their excellent exhibitions, Sacred; so it is worth visiting even if you are not going to seek a book or publication.
Thanks for you comments about the British Library. As the manager of the Business & IP Centre I would have to agree about our amazing collection of free business information.
The reason for the stringent security is to protect what is one of the most valuable collections in the world. This also explains the requirement to leave coats and bags in the free lockers or cloakroom.
However as you say, it is worth the effort required in order to gain access to 150 million items in our collection.
Neil Infield – Manager Business & IP Centre
http://www.inoutfield.com/