As an important part of the National Library, the British Museum Library was founded in 1753, and its history of submitting books can be traced back to 1666. After the unification of England and Scotland in 177, Great Britain was regarded as a whole for the first time in the Copyright Act of 179, which required that nine copies of each publication must be submitted to the Office for distribution to the Royal Library, the University Library and the Law School Library. The main body of the scientific reference library is the Patent Office Library, which was established in 1855. The predecessor of the National Central Library was the Student Central Library, which was established in 1916. It was merged into the Central Library in 193 and became the National Central Library, mainly serving students. The national science and technology lending library business began in 1962; The British National Bibliography Bureau was established in 1949 and began to publish the British national bibliography in 195. The British Museum Library and the British Library Association are its founders and partners. The Science and Technology Intelligence Bureau, originally under the Ministry of Education, was established in 1965 as the youngest unit in the British library.
Although the history of British libraries is only over 2 years, its collections can be traced back to 3 years ago and come from all over the world. With the completion of the new St. Pancras Museum, the circular reading room of the British Museum Library has become a thing of the past. According to the policy of the library, the main reference books are collected in the new library of St. Pancras; The collection for circulation is located in the document supply center of Spa, Boston, the largest service institution of the museum; There is also a newspaper library in the northern suburbs of London.
The tawny glass tower in the lobby of the new building is a collection donated by George IV, a famous king's library, to the British Library in 1823 by his father George III. The glass tower is 6 stories high and stands in the center of the hall. The spine of all books is facing outwards for people to enjoy. If necessary, the staff can pick up books for readers through the internal elevator or movable bookshelf. British libraries receive at least 1 readers every day.
In p>1993, the British Library put forward the goal of establishing a digital library, including: increasing the preservation of digital publications; Provide network and digital services for readers; Use digital technology to preserve and repair collections.
Curator: Ms.Lynne Brindley.