Borrowing a book from The British Library

[FormerlySpeckledyHen]

Has anyone ever done this? Was it an easy straightforward process?

Seems I need to go to the library first to register as a reader, then request the book to be sent to London from Yorkshire where it is stored, a 48 hour process.

Any experiences 🤷🏻‍♀️ Thank you.

That is the same with all libraries. You need a library card then request your book. You'll have it for 3 weeks.

Are you sure it will be a loan you can take away with you? Usually you can only look at their material in the reading rooms.

(Source, I'm a BL reader ticket holder for 20+ years)

Only available to read in the reading room.

I’m looking for experiences of doing it, as I don’t want to waste my time with 2 visits from outside of London.

Read the info on their website carefully, you will need to take ID like a passport etc. Are you an academic?

Just to clarify, I’m asking if the process of ordering a book from Yorkshire to be delivered to London works smoothly?
I don’t want to go to London to register, only to waste time if the delivery of the book to London doesn’t happen in the timeframe expected.

I am spending a week in London later in the year and want to know if it’s likely that the book will arrive during the time I’m there.
The website says 48 hours. Is this the case in reality.
Thank you.

They are pretty reliable, although when I have done research there I have had back up plans and other books/periodicals to look at too. Some of the periodicals I ordered were incorrectly classified, so I was presented with a 1910s edition of Vogue which was not what I ordered and a few were going through the process of being digitised because they were in poor condition. If you can have a backup I would recommend although 90% of the time it’s fine.

The staff are really helpful and there is lots of guidance.

There's usually a queue for reader registration, I waited about 15 mins when I last renewed. You fill in your details in their computer in front of the staff member, and they check your ID (check on the website for what you need to take). They take a photo then and there which gets printed on your reader card, so make sure you're wearing something you'll be happy with for 3 years!

You order the book/item to your chosen reading room, some items can only be viewed in certain reading rooms, but the catalogue will tell you when you request it. Find a desk in the room and the staff will let you know when your item is available.

Rules about what you can take into the room are quite strict, there's a cloakroom and lockers provided and clear plastic carrier bags to put your notebook etc in.

Reading rooms are quite 'traditional' library study environments - generally very quiet - no-one is going to shush you if you sneeze, but everyone is quietly getting on with their work.

Ah, OK, cross post, I was typing. I've only used on-site material so can't help about Boston Spa requests, sorry.

Yes the transit time from Boston Spa is reliable. Since the new catalogue was launched in December it is easier to see what’s going on with the item you request. Unless you’re ordering a manuscript or archival collection item, in which case they’re still using the interim clunky ordering system that was launched after the 2023 cyber attack.

However if the item is requested by another reader before you register then you risk not being able to request it in the time period you need. I think you can request up to 6mo in advance if you’re able to register before your main trip, but I appreciate that means taking two trips. https://bl.libguides.com/how-to-search/main-catalogue/requesting-physical-collection-items

As PP said they’re very helpful so maybe drop them a line https://bl.libanswers.com/form?queue_id=2304

I went through this same research process a few weeks ago. It’s annoying that you have to go there first to get the card before you can request something - this is because they’re still in the aftermath of a cyberattack apparently. But I appreciate there are levels of annoying. Not really the same, having to wait 90 minutes or so versus having to plan a whole other visit two or three days later. I feel your pain!

Not a consolation, but there used to be “pre-registration” for reader passes which meant you could order items based on the number before having the card.

@fluffythecat1 @EggbertHeartsTina @StripedPillowcase @Waawo
Thank you all so much for taking the time to help with so much detail.
I really do appreciate it.

I’ll invest the time, as I can’t seem to find the book anywhere else.

I've always found delivery reliable. It is very common for books I want to have to be delivered from Boston Spa. You do, however, need to be registered before you order - which indeed means going in person, taking ID etc. I think once you're registered you can order straightaway - which could mean on the spot as soon as you walk out of the registration area. Quite a few things will have to be left in a locker, and if you want to take notes you can only do so in pencil - which is quite standard in archives. The reading rooms have a beautiful hush. I wish you good vibes there.

Thanks! I had hoped to have been there by now - ridiculous that it's so near, and I have been through Euston a few times as well, but life just keeps getting in the way, especially on Saturdays lol. Soon!

Just realised, this isn't the thread I thought it was, but thanks anyway - it's all useful info! :)

The only one of the Copyright libraries that lends physical books is Cambridge University Library. You may obtain inter library loans, if they are BL they are from the lending division of the BL in Boston Spa. Arrangements around ebooks/platforms may be different. Books of record that are in ebook format are not loaned. In that particular area they have never loaned copyright e copies. There are additional difficulties with those ebooks as their relatively recent cyber attack was in this area.

What’s the book, @FormerlySpeckledyHen ?

@NomNomNominativeDeterminism it is Cold Wars : The Fight Afainst The Common Cold.

I found it recently online, but the payment was refunded as it wasn’t available after all. Grrr

It's on Worldcat https://search.worldcat.org/title/49976916
Some of those you should be able to get your local library to request (probably for a fee)

It might be worth asking your local library whether they can obtain it for you.

I work for a public library service, and we can borrow books from the British Library through InterLibrary Loan - depending on what it is and whether they’re willing to lend it. Our user then borrows it on their library card as they would any of our own books. There’s a fee involved but probably cheaper than a trip to London.

Thank you @Ratty26 , that’s really helpful, I’ll give them a call.

Is the inter library loan service working currently, after the cyber attack?

Yes

That looks fascinating! Did you track down a copy?

You don't have to go to London to register; you can register for a British Library card at the Boston Spa location. You make an appointment and bring ID and they'll issue you with a card. You can then order books to be there for when you plan to visit it.

@FormerlySpeckledyHen just in case you didn't know, the British Library is not a borrowing library, but a reference one. That is, you don't get a "library card" from them with the ability to take out books. You can get a Reader's Pass that allows you to go to either the Euston or Boston Spa libraries and request books to read or photograph while there.