Our invitation to you

To work, play and celebrate at the Library ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ [View in browser]( For research, inspiration and enjoyment For research, inspiration and enjoyment Our invitation to you Join us this month as we celebrate the opening of Beyond the Bassline: 500 Years of Black British Music. Our brand new exhibition in London explores centuries of soundscapes created by musical trailblazers, innovators and communities. Or if you are in a more focused frame of mind, come study in our Reading Rooms. Our recovery from last year’s cyber-attack continues with Reader Passes now being issued again, as well as expanded access to our collection. [Beyond the bassline]( [Our new ★★★★ exhibition]( ★★★★ ‘a high-speed crash course in Black British music that moves at 140 beats per minute — ending all-too-soon…’ Londonist Discover the musical journey forged by African and Caribbean artists as you travel through the places where the sounds of Black Britain were born including the clubs, the carnivals and the stages. [Book now]( [Soul II Soul return to St Pancras]( Soul II Soul: Live at the British Library this May Soul II Soul return to St Pancras, the scene of their legendary 1980s sound system parties, for a full live show to celebrate our new exhibition. [Book now]( [Liz Johnson Artur display] Liz Johnson Artur display ‘Black music is the soundtrack to my archive. And women are the heartbeat’. Don’t miss our free Liz Johnson Artur’s display documenting pleasure, intimacy, beauty and love in a free Entrance Hall display at St Pancras available throughout the run of Beyond the Bassline. [Take the survey]( How are you getting on? We know the past few months have been frustrating as we work to recover from last October’s cyber-attack. We’re keen to hear from all our users to help us understand how you’re using the Library at the moment. [Take the survey]( [We are welcoming our readers again]( An update on Reader Passes We’re now able to issue photographic Reader Passes again, so if you’re a new Reader you can order collection items into our Reading Rooms. If you have a temporary paper pass or need a new Reader Pass, please bring along the necessary identification when you visit us onsite. [Get your Reader pass]( [Improved access to the collection]( Improved access to collection items We’ve restarted the transfer of collection items between our two sites, which has expanded the range of collection materials available for Readers to order. You can use our online catalogue to identify the items you need and their location, but please check their availability before visiting the Reading Rooms by contacting our Reference Services team. You’ll still need to visit in person and complete paper forms to order collection items at the moment. [Find out more]( [Join us for Food Season 2024 ]( Join us for Food Season 2024 Our Food Season returns for its sixth year, highlighting the stories, politics and people behind how and why we eat. This year's series of events brings together some of the most influential names in food, drink, hospitality, literature and science, including Michel Roux, Angela Hartnett and Ravinder Bhogal. [Book now]( [Donate today]( Support us As a charity, donations are vital in helping us share our collection with people of all ages, from all communities. A gift today will help us open up a world of ideas and inspiration for everyone. [Donate now]( [British Library Instagram]( [British Library Facebook]( [British Library Twitter]( [British Library YouTube]( [British Library LinkedIn]( [British Library TikTok]( [British Library Instagram]( [British Library Facebook]( [British Library Twitter]( [British Library YouTube]( [British Library LinkedIn]( [British Library TikTok]( © 2024 British Library. 96 Euston Road, London. NW1 2DB. [Privacy Policy]( [Visit us]( • [View our privacy policy]( • [Update your interests]( • [Unsubscribe](