We work better together

Celebrating community this summer ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ [View in browser]( For research, inspiration and enjoyment For research, inspiration and enjoyment We work better together Being truly part of a community is to learn, work and celebrate together. We’ve got some fascinating stories to tell and great events and resources to take advantage of this summer, all with communities at their heart. St Pancras locals can head to our Piazza for the annual Somers Town Festival; more fantastic guests will be joining us to explore the sounds of Black British music; we're marking Pride month with a fascinating free display in our Treasures Gallery; and anyone with a great business idea can find help nearby at one of our local or regional Business & IP Centres. Of course our recovery from last year's cyber'attack still goes on behind the scenes. Last month we shared an [update]( on some of the service improvements you can expect to see over the coming months. [Queer Lives in Literature]( Discovering queer lives in literature Long before the modern recognition of queer identities, English poetry and fiction was rich with themes of same-sex love, gender-swapping and non-conformity. Explore a new display of rare books and manuscripts from 1600 – 1900 that brings these stories to life in our free Treasures Gallery in St Pancras. [Visit for free]( [Black British Music Symposium]( Be part of our Black British music symposium Join us in St Pancras on Friday 12 July for a day of exhilarating conversation and entertainment, in partnership with the University of Westminster. We’ll be exploring the diversity and complexity of Black musical experiences in Britain and the role of national institutions, researchers, artists and communities in preserving, understanding and promoting Black British music. [Book now]( [Carnival Warm up and Soca special]( Get ready for Carnival! As well as after-hours access to the Beyond the Bassline exhibition, our symposium includes a closing party, Carnival Warmup and Soca Special. Join us in St Pancras as we celebrate some of the loudest and most colourful expressions of Black British music culture with DJS, live performance by Triniboi Joocie, and a showcase of Mas carnival costumes. Separate evening tickets are also available. [Book now]( [Music and Windrush]( Transforming Britain's musical landscape Last Saturday was Windrush Day, marking 76 years since the Empire Windrush docked in Tilbury. Beyond the Bassline curator Mykaell Riley remembers some of the talented individuals aboard the ship who transformed Britain’s musical landscape. [Watch this video]( Join us for Somers Town Festival [Somerstown Festival ]( Do you live nearby in St Pancras? If so, come along for a day of fun, creativity and community spirit at the Somers Town Festival on Saturday 13 July. Enjoy live music, delicious food, family-friendly activities and vibrant market stalls. Our community team will be there to share some urban gardening tips, and giving out seeds to plant when you get home. [Find out more]( [Libraries mean business]( Business support in your local library Did you know that we provide small business support? Our network of Business & IP Centres is transforming the way ideas grow into successful businesses. Whether you're just setting out, need advice on protecting your intellectual property, or simply have a brilliant idea you want to discuss, we're here to guide you. You can find BIPCs at the British Library in St Pancras, or in local libraries across London and the UK. [Start here]( [Enjoying time together ]( Enjoying time together We’ve been finding out how different people use the Library. Meet Mokhi, Miz, Zachariah and Sulaiman. Mokhi discovered our family activities through for people with complex disabilities. Since then the family has visited storytelling sessions, learnt about illustration and even tested themselves with logic puzzles. [Read the blog]( [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. 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