THE UK is home to one of the biggest libraries in the world and it is set for a huge makeover.
The British Library is the second largest in the world when based on the number of books, only beaten by the Library of Congress in the UK.
The British Library is getting a huge £1.1billion makeover[/caption]
And the attraction is set for a massive £1.1billion renovation.
Funded by Japanese property developer Mitsui Fudosan, one of the biggest parts of the revamp includes increasing the size of the library itself.
The library will also be more open, with three sides open to the public.
Around 100,000sqft will be “culture, learning, research and business” areas which will include learning centres and exhibition rooms.
And 600,000sqft will be transformed into new commercial and retail spaces.
Around £23million is also being funded by Camden Council which will go towards new homes, affordable workspaces and new cycle highways.
The new Crossrail 2 is set to run underneath the library, which will be safeguarded as part of the plans.
The works hope to start next year and will be complete by 2032.
Rebecca Lawrence, chief executive of the British Library, said: “The plans will open up the Library even further, creating an expanded national library with state-of-the-art new spaces, harnessing the power of collaboration to build a new public realm linking communities and the Knowledge Quarter and deliver significant investment in the UK.
“We look forward to working with philanthropists, our partners and community to create a groundbreaking new hub for science, innovation and knowledge that will welcome future generations of visitors, learners, researchers and budding entrepreneurs.”
Takeshi Iwama, chief executive of Mitsui Fudosan UK, said they were “proud” to be part of the huge plans, saying: “We are proud to be investing in the expansion of one of the UK’s most important cultural institutions, as well as continuing to work with community organisations in Camden to ensure that the benefits from this high-profile investment are experienced as much at the local level as they are nationally and internationally.”
The British Library first opened in 1973 at Bloomsbury London, before moving to St Pancras in 1997.
As many as 170million books are housed at the library, as well as millions of recordings, manuscripts and music.
It is free to visit although guests need to get a British Library Reader Pass.
Also free to get, this allows access to the Reader Rooms.
Guests can also explore some of the many exhibits taking place at the British LIbrary.
From May 1 until August 10, the “Unearthed: The Power of Gardening” exhibition is running which shows how “centuries of gardening has changed the world”.
And from May 16 to January 18, 2026 is a children’s exhibit designed for kids between the ages of two and 9.
Called Story Explorers: A journey through imaginary worlds” lets younger guests learn about items in space, jungles and oceans with interactive spaces.
Another major London attraction is getting a huge renovation too.
The British Museum – one of the largest free attractions in the UK – revealed plans for its £1billion revamp.
This includes upgraded north and south entrances, which will be open by next year.
And the Museum of London, which opened back in 1976, is reopening next year after a £437million revamp.
The full project aims to be completed by 2032[/caption]
