Today I have visited the British Library in London, where I have never been before. This is the National library of the UK and one of the largest research libraries in the world, holding over 150 million items in all formats - books, journals, newspapers, film, prints etc. In the middle of the building is a four-storey glass tower containing the King's Library, with 65,000 printed volumes along with other pamphlets, manuscripts and maps collected by King George III between 1763 and 1820.
See the link below to find out more about its history and varied resources and collections.
I have become involved in the creation of a new library (nothing to do with Conductive Education) and was visiting this institution to gain advice which will be extremely useful.
The building is fairly new and was designed Colin St John Wilson in the late 1960s. It took over twenty years to build ( including four levels below ground) and came in seriously over budget. Although not very attractive to look at it, is quite impressive as it is enormous. Much as one would expect with all its holdings. What is really wonderful, is the fact that access to this material is free to all. Not a lot of things are these days. It has regular exhibitions and currently has one on maps which can be visited free until 19 September.
http://www.bl.uk/magnificentmaps/
I thoroughly recommend anyone visiting London should try and call in, if only to see the King's library, pictured below.
