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Original poster

Does anyone here go to the British Library?

36 replies

Waawo · 18/01/2026 21:20

There are a couple of books from the 1930s that I want to read that are really hard to find second hand or in more general lending libraries, but they are of course in the British Library.

How does it work? All I know is what I've read in various novels about going there to study; and what I've read on the BL website.

I know I have to go there in person to get a Reader Pass: is it possible to order an item to look at for the same day? Or do you have to get the pass first, and that then gives you the ability to order things?

No food and drink is allowed in the Reading Rooms; what happens to the items you are studying if you want to go down to the cafe or whatever? Do you have to return them and then re-request them? Are you allowed to leave the building whilst you have items "out", or are you limited to on-site catering options?

Is it really as quiet as people make out? Obviously the website says turn your laptop and phone to silent; but loads of places say that, and it doesn't work most of the time! What would actually happen if someone started watching Tiktoks on loudspeaker?!

Lastly, is taking photographs of items as a kind of note-taking allowed? I.E. for personal reference, not uploading to the internet.

Thanks in advance if you know the answers to any of these or have any other top British Library tips!

OP posts:
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SharonEllis · 27/05/2026 06:13

There are a lot of untrained people in council-run libraries these days, especially on the front desk. I heard of someone with zero training getting a job running a local library a few months ago. She's a nice, smart woman but literally no experience.

MsAmerica · 26/05/2026 22:58

Waawo · 21/05/2026 22:16

Yes, I understand the concept, or at least, I thought I did. Interestingly, I've just checked the websites of Greenwich Libraries, Tower Hamlets Libraries, and City of London Libraries and none mention ILL at all in their "services" pages. Although CoL is a member of the London Library Network which has a shared catalogue across all 32 boroughs. I will ask staff next time I'm in a physical library. Sense this might be a rabbit hole lol :)

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One thing I've learned with libraries: When you go ask in person, and the person doesn't know what you're talking about - ask to speak to the supervisor.

Original poster
Waawo · 21/05/2026 22:16

MsAmerica · 21/05/2026 21:54

I'm not sure if I was clear. The inter-library loan I was thinking of is where you just give the local library the information, and they do the job of tracking it down for you - anywhere in the country.

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Yes, I understand the concept, or at least, I thought I did. Interestingly, I've just checked the websites of Greenwich Libraries, Tower Hamlets Libraries, and City of London Libraries and none mention ILL at all in their "services" pages. Although CoL is a member of the London Library Network which has a shared catalogue across all 32 boroughs. I will ask staff next time I'm in a physical library. Sense this might be a rabbit hole lol :)

OP posts:
HelenaWilson · 21/05/2026 22:09

The inter-library loan I was thinking of is where you just give the local library the information, and they do the job of tracking it down for you - anywhere in the country.

If it's a long out of print book, there may not be a copy available for loan anywhere in the country. Any copies may be reference only.

Anyone who is looking for out of print books and can't get to the BL, I recommend archive.org. I've found some very obscure stuff there. Google search Book Title archive.org

MsAmerica · 21/05/2026 21:54

Waawo · 19/05/2026 07:55

Yes. I’m a member at a few London libraries, but I couldn’t find what I wanted available for loan. I checked on Worldcat, and there is a copy at the University of London library, which I could access by renewing my Sconul access this year; but tbh I’ve been wanting to go to the British Library for years, and Euston / Bloomsbury are basically the same distance from me so no travel drama :)

Edited
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I'm not sure if I was clear. The inter-library loan I was thinking of is where you just give the local library the information, and they do the job of tracking it down for you - anywhere in the country.

Original poster
Waawo · 19/05/2026 07:55

MsAmerica · 19/05/2026 02:41

Do interlibrary loans exist where you are? Where you put in a request and your local library orders it from elsewhere for you to borrow?

Yes. I’m a member at a few London libraries, but I couldn’t find what I wanted available for loan. I checked on Worldcat, and there is a copy at the University of London library, which I could access by renewing my Sconul access this year; but tbh I’ve been wanting to go to the British Library for years, and Euston / Bloomsbury are basically the same distance from me so no travel drama :)

OP posts:
MsAmerica · 19/05/2026 02:41

Do interlibrary loans exist where you are? Where you put in a request and your local library orders it from elsewhere for you to borrow?

Original poster
Waawo · 16/05/2026 20:12

WryNecked · 16/05/2026 20:04

It's a great place to get properly absorbed. I remember once needing to go there for the day when I was on maternity leave to look up some references, and I was so in the zone that when I left at 5.30, I got straight on the my old tube line and was nearly at our old London flat when I remembered that in fact we no longer lived in London, I had a baby, and I needed to go back to St Pancras and get the train to a completely different part of the country...😀

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Great story! 😀

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WryNecked · 16/05/2026 20:04

Waawo · 16/05/2026 20:00

Thanks to everyone for your helpful comments - mission accomplished! What a great day overall.

Unusual start, as King's Cross was rammed with people coming in for marches in central. Mostly seemed to be a retail opportunity, judging by the number of pavement merchants with flags and hats for sale.

Euston Road ludicrously busy and the main entrance to the library closed anyway for security reasons, so had to go round to a side entrance. Very busy in the non-reading room study spaces, even at 9:45am.

Downstairs for a locker, up to Humanities 1, collected the books I'd ordered, no problem getting a seat, there were very few folks in the reading room at that time (it did get busier around lunchtime). And then: bliss. Real quiet. Nobody talking, and no phones going off. The loudest sounds are coughing and typing.

Managed to get through all three volumes of 1930s poetry that I went there for, so that goes down as a successful day!

It's a great place to get properly absorbed. I remember once needing to go there for the day when I was on maternity leave to look up some references, and I was so in the zone that when I left at 5.30, I got straight on the my old tube line and was nearly at our old London flat when I remembered that in fact we no longer lived in London, I had a baby, and I needed to go back to St Pancras and get the train to a completely different part of the country...😀

Original poster
Waawo · 16/05/2026 20:00

Thanks to everyone for your helpful comments - mission accomplished! What a great day overall.

Unusual start, as King's Cross was rammed with people coming in for marches in central. Mostly seemed to be a retail opportunity, judging by the number of pavement merchants with flags and hats for sale.

Euston Road ludicrously busy and the main entrance to the library closed anyway for security reasons, so had to go round to a side entrance. Very busy in the non-reading room study spaces, even at 9:45am.

Downstairs for a locker, up to Humanities 1, collected the books I'd ordered, no problem getting a seat, there were very few folks in the reading room at that time (it did get busier around lunchtime). And then: bliss. Real quiet. Nobody talking, and no phones going off. The loudest sounds are coughing and typing.

Managed to get through all three volumes of 1930s poetry that I went there for, so that goes down as a successful day!

OP posts:
WryNecked · 11/05/2026 15:56

LittlePinkWeed · 11/05/2026 14:58

I went for the first time at Easter. It was heaving! Maybe they were university students while their university libraries were shut.

The lockers were confusing. Firstly, finding them: follow the sign down the stairs and you're confronted with a wall of glass-fronted lockers that are all in use. Don't worry, they're not for general use - instead follow the corridor round to the right and there's a room full of lockers. Secondly, finding a locker that works: you have to set a key code each time. Some lockers have 'Out of order' signs on them but some lockers without a sign also don't work. Follow the instructions to set a code - if it doesn't work, it's probably the locker, not you. Try another locker. And make a note of the key code!

Reading room: I was wearing a very lightweight jacket but was told to go back to the locker room and leave it in there. The reading room was almost fully in use and extremely quiet - I haven't experienced such silence in a room full of people since being in an exam hall. You can only write in pencil, although they didn't check my bag to see whether I had a pen.

That's pretty standard. It's always busy. You need to get there early or risk not finding a seat, though some reading rooms are generally quieter than others.
Definitely no jackets, or anything you could hide BL material in when leaving. Most people are using laptops to take notes these days, so I don't think pens are that high up on anyone's mental checklist, though staff do walk around, and I seem to remember seeing them confiscating pens in the past.

Original poster
Waawo · 11/05/2026 15:22

LittlePinkWeed · 11/05/2026 14:58

I went for the first time at Easter. It was heaving! Maybe they were university students while their university libraries were shut.

The lockers were confusing. Firstly, finding them: follow the sign down the stairs and you're confronted with a wall of glass-fronted lockers that are all in use. Don't worry, they're not for general use - instead follow the corridor round to the right and there's a room full of lockers. Secondly, finding a locker that works: you have to set a key code each time. Some lockers have 'Out of order' signs on them but some lockers without a sign also don't work. Follow the instructions to set a code - if it doesn't work, it's probably the locker, not you. Try another locker. And make a note of the key code!

Reading room: I was wearing a very lightweight jacket but was told to go back to the locker room and leave it in there. The reading room was almost fully in use and extremely quiet - I haven't experienced such silence in a room full of people since being in an exam hall. You can only write in pencil, although they didn't check my bag to see whether I had a pen.

Thanks, that's useful. I did have a scout of the locker space downstairs after getting my Reader's Pass. I'm hoping it's not too busy.

Also, random, but there has been this ongoing, long-winded recovery from the cyber attack - but I notice now that I have an account that there's still no form of multi-factor authentication required to login, which is mind-boggling 😮

OP posts:
LittlePinkWeed · 11/05/2026 14:58

I went for the first time at Easter. It was heaving! Maybe they were university students while their university libraries were shut.

The lockers were confusing. Firstly, finding them: follow the sign down the stairs and you're confronted with a wall of glass-fronted lockers that are all in use. Don't worry, they're not for general use - instead follow the corridor round to the right and there's a room full of lockers. Secondly, finding a locker that works: you have to set a key code each time. Some lockers have 'Out of order' signs on them but some lockers without a sign also don't work. Follow the instructions to set a code - if it doesn't work, it's probably the locker, not you. Try another locker. And make a note of the key code!

Reading room: I was wearing a very lightweight jacket but was told to go back to the locker room and leave it in there. The reading room was almost fully in use and extremely quiet - I haven't experienced such silence in a room full of people since being in an exam hall. You can only write in pencil, although they didn't check my bag to see whether I had a pen.

CapriceDeDieux · 11/05/2026 14:43

Just a quick heads up, while the reading rooms are quiet and well managed, there are workspaces all over the building and these can give the impression that the place is heaving (esp at this time of year when many students from surrounding universities and sixth forms are using it). Don't be put off though, once you find yourself in a reading room all will be well.

also if there is a long wait for books there's usually an exhibition or two on and some free displays.

Yellowingtrees · 11/05/2026 14:41

Hum 1 is good, but Hum 2 is even better!

Enjoy your day!

SharonEllis · 11/05/2026 14:36

Sounds great, have fun!

Original poster
Waawo · 11/05/2026 14:29

So quick update. Life, as it so often does, got in the way of this a bit! However I have finally got my Reader Pass at least :)

Now I've ordered the books that I want, to come to Humanities Reading Room 1, this Saturday! Exciting!

(perhaps I should get out more)

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SharonEllis · 20/01/2026 21:13

I love the BL. I ws thinking just this week Im due a day there so I'm envious. Enjoy!

Mt563 · 20/01/2026 18:41

I adore the British library, it's a wonderful place to read. So quiet but also the quiet hum of others working too. Have a lovely time when you go

Original poster
Waawo · 20/01/2026 18:17

Thanks for all your comments. I had forgotten that I’m actually on-call for work this week anyway, including the weekend coming, so the expedition is going to have to wait until the following weekend

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WryNecked · 20/01/2026 17:48

APatternGrammar · 19/01/2026 08:53

The Oxford and Cambridge libraries are also deposit libraries if you fancy a day trip :-)

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And in my experience, the Bod takes a much less unflattering photograph. My BL ID photos invariably look like dangerous criminal mugshots.

TonTonMacoute · 20/01/2026 17:45

Waawo · 19/01/2026 08:47

Thanks. Yeah that’s a good point, haven’t actually checked that, but I live in London anyway so “expedition” really means “get on the tube” ;)

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This what I was going to suggest. It might take a while for books to arrive, but it does mean that you get to read the books at home in the usual way.

Original poster
Waawo · 19/01/2026 15:58

CurlewKate · 19/01/2026 08:54

My dp works in the BL-he’s
away at the moment, but I can ask him questions for you later in the week if you like?

Thanks, that's very kind. I'm going on Saturday anyway, but this is typical for me, a kind of low-level anxiety about seemingly trivial things like lockers and so on!

OP posts:
CurlewKate · 19/01/2026 08:54

My dp works in the BL-he’s
away at the moment, but I can ask him questions for you later in the week if you like?

APatternGrammar · 19/01/2026 08:53

Waawo · 19/01/2026 08:49

Thanks - yeah, I live in London, so it’s not like massive travel or anything. But it’s a good reminder about Uni libraries too, I have Sconul access through OU at the moment so must bear that in mind, if only
because university libraries are usually such nice places to visit :)

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The Oxford and Cambridge libraries are also deposit libraries if you fancy a day trip :-)