Libraries under lockdown

Welcome to the new series from the British Library hosted by Lemn Sissay and featuring Kae Tempest, Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris, Monica Ali, Shami Chakrabarti, Jonathan Nunn, Amy Liptrot, Sophie Willan and Inua Ellams. Subscribe now.

Amid the pandemic, we hear from the British Library team ensuring crucial documents are delivered to public health services, a library that has exchanged books for food parcels, and a bridal studio, supported by our Business and IP Centre, who pivoted to ‘something new’ when the crisis hit.

New York Times best selling Author Steve Berry joins us to talk about one of his favourite books, The Twisted Claw #18 in The Hardy Boys series by Franklin W. Dixon. This episode was recorded before the current global outbreak - we hope you are all staying safe.

Hear how a Librarian solved a 33 year cold case, why the British Library is currently researching some mysterious toilet paper and how a library in Manchester is helping it's patrons uncover the secrets of their own past.

Award winning writer of Madame Doubtfire and Goggle-Eyes, Anne Fine OBE joins us today to discuss ‘The Man Who Loved Children’ by Christina Stead (1940).

Hear how Minecraft is opening up literary worlds, meet the young writers powering up their imaginations at Plymouth’s Plymstock library, and settle down for a read with the library that comes to you.

The designer, futurist, filmmaker and educator tells us about one of her favourite books: The Dispossessed by Ursula Le Guin (1974).

To start the new year, we take a look into the future. Meet the British Library’s robot assistants, get coding at Oxfordshire County Library and take the long view with Norway’s Future Library. Plus we visit our Flashback Project in Boston Spa, which ensures digital content is preserved and accessible even after the original technology has become obsolete.

‘He was writing in the way that I speak. He was talking about country roads that I know….it was me.’ Author and podcaster Blindboy tells us about the writing that made him: The Third Policeman (written in 1939 and published in 1967) by Brian O'Nolan, writing under the pseudonym Flann O'Brien. Contains plot spoilers and some profanity.

Encounter Willard Library’s Lady in Grey, be spellbound by the British Library’s collection and meet a druid from a library in the heart of spiritual south-west England. Who you gonna call? A librarian, obviously.