British Library

Words for the Worthy

Description

The British Library boasts 150 million items, in most known languages, some dating back to 300BC. Between the books, the audio archives, the maps, the manuscripts, the drawings, and all the other treasures stored in this hallowed house of learning, the collections require 625 kilometers of shelves, and grow an additional 12 kilometers every year for new acquisitions. Needless to say, this is not your average browse-and-borrow, neighborhood library. In fact, you couldn't "browse and borrow" even if you wanted to. To take advantage of the immense library's resources, you'll need a reader's pass, which is usually granted to professionals and post graduates doing reseach. Luckily, the general public is allowed admission to the three exhibition galleries where some of their most valuable treasures are on display, including the Magna Carta and the Gutenberg Bible. Many events, films, and lectures are held here, and guided tours are available on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.