The British Library 19th Century Historical Collection App Wins Prestigious Publishing Innovation Award

At the opening of the Digital Book World Conference in New York City yesterday, the British Library, together with technology partner, BiblioLabs, LLC, was awarded the prestigious Publishing Innovation Award (PIA) for their British Library 19^th Century Historical Collection iPad App. The App, released in August last year to rave reviews from both critics and consumers, offers seamless, cloud-based access to more than 45,000 historical works from the British Library, spanning 21 thematic collections.

The Publishing Innovation Awards were established to honour outstanding digital products that enrich and delight readers. The British Library 19^th Century Historical Collection App was named the 2012 Winner in the Reference/Academic category.

Creating a buzz at the British Library: countdown to Spring Festival 2012

British Library’s first ever festival of the UK’s creative industries, 1 -5 March 2012

From vintage knitting patterns to Burmese tattoo designs, from Victorian hair jewellery to Manga and graphic novels, and from Russian Futurist posters to medical and anatomical engravings – the British Library is an inexhaustible well of unusual and inspiring material waiting to be discovered. www.bl.uk/spring

Trevor Phillips to Speak Up, Speak Out at Holocaust Memorial Day event

Trevor Phillips, Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, will be speaking at a free event at the British Library on 27 January to mark Holocaust Memorial Day in Camden.

The theme this year is ‘Speak up, speak out’, to challenge discrimination in our communities and neighbourhoods and help build a strong society without exclusion and persecution. The aim of the event – hosted in partnership by the British Library and Camden Council – is to raise awareness of issues facing faith communities, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) and black and minority ethnic people and promote solidarity across communities.

Take home a masterpiece!

The British Library has launched a new website in association with Magnolia Box to provide customised prints featuring beautiful and iconic images from the Library’s archives. From the Magna Carta to Fay Godwin’s striking black and white landscapes, anyone can now choose an iconic fine art print to hang in their home at www.bl.uk/prints.