What is the catalogues and collections of the British Library?

Catalogues and Collections. The British Library’s collection includes books, journals, manuscripts, maps, stamps, music, patents, photographs, newspapers and sound. Many of our digital collections provide material for free online. Please come to our Reading Rooms to access material that isn’t available online.

How can I use the library’s catalogue?

Use our catalogue to find details of the Library’s unique collection items including manuscripts, unpublished documents and family and estate papers. Our sound collection contains over 6.5 million recordings in all genres, from pop, jazz, and classical to wildlife, interviews, drama and language.

Who established the rules for cataloguing books?

The Keeper of Printed Books at the British Museum, Anthony Panizzi, established the first modern set of rules for cataloguing books in 1841. The ninety one rules promulgated by the British Museum reflected the collective wisdom of Panizzi and his assistants, their debates about points of cataloguing practice often extending far into the night.

Should there be a catalogue for lending books?

Urquhart argued that, if books were arranged on the shelf by author and title order, a catalogue was unnecessary. If the book was there, the lending request could be met straight away off the shelf; if the book was not there, then it would be necessary in any case to contact other institutions to see if they have a copy.

How can I order from the reading room in Yorkshire?

We have extended the range of material available to Readers in Yorkshire, with around 85% of the items requested at St Pancras now also available in the north. You can order collection items to the Reading Room via our catalogue. Access is free, but you must first get a Reader Pass and accept our Conditions of Use.

What is the bookbindings catalogue?

This catalogue provides information and images of selected bookbindings printed in western Europe from the 15th century to date. A searchable catalogue of Chinese printed books and serials catalogued after 1993.