British Library

When I'm Sixty-Four? When you’re 84 (and always).
Happy Birthday, Sir Paul McCartney



© Anne-Marie Forker / Alamy Stock Photo

On this day in 1904, Leopold Bloom began his journey through Dublin.

That single day would later become the setting for James Joyce's masterpiece, Ulysses, and is now celebrated around the world as Bloomsday.

Have you ever read Ulysses?

Published on this day in 1949, George Orwell's *1984* remains one of the most influential novels of the 20th century.

Its exploration of surveillance, language, truth and power introduced ideas and phrases that continue to resonate today.

Which line from *1984* has stayed with you?

#1984

Primary school teachers: There is still time to book for Monday's FREE Make a Guidebook livestreamed event. Celebrate the art of guidebooks and the magic of wonderful places with your Key Stage 2 students in this creative, online event supporting reading and writing for pleasure.

Children's writer Rashmi Sirdeshpande, and author and illustrator Viviane Schwarz will inspire your students to make their own guidebooks through insights into books about the world, creative prompts, and interactive making.

A lovely collaboration with EmpathyLab

Tune into the livestreamed event from your classroom on Monday 8 June at 11.00.

Book your place >

Make a Guidebook: Around the World | British Library Embark on a journey all about guidebooks, and discover fascinating and delightful ways to explore place. Rashmi Sirdeshpande, Viviane Schwarz and Ben Shire

To mark the start of Pride Month, we're celebrating some of the writers and books that helped shape q***r literary history.

From Oscar Wilde and Virginia Woolf to Radclyffe Hall and James Baldwin, these voices challenged conventions, expanded representation and helped generations of readers see themselves reflected in literature.

Which book would you add to the list?

Join award-winning comic creator James Turner (Star Cat, Toby and the Pixies) for a magical day of comic-making fun on 21 June! 🎨

Create your own pixie characters, send them on hilarious adventures, and learn the secrets of great comics from character design to speech bubbles.

Inspired by our family-friendly Fairy Tales exhibition, the day also includes creative activities, a drop-in studio (12.00–14.30) and plenty of books to enjoy together.

Book now:

Family Workshop: Magical pixies and James Turner | British Library Meet Phoenix comic writer and artist James Turner, creator of the award winning Star Cat graphic novel series and writer of Toby and the Pixies.Get creativ

Make your mark at the Library today.
As a charity, your support helps keep knowledge alive and available to everyone.

There are lots of ways to get involved. Adopt a book from our collection of classics, name a desk in our Reading Rooms or find out about leaving a gift in your will.

You can help future generations shape tomorrow. Join us, and be part of what comes next.

Learn more here: https://support.bl.uk/Page/Ways-you-can-help

Ways to give You can make a difference yourself to help protect the world’s knowledge at The British Library. Please support us.

Reminder: Our St Pancras site will be closed this weekend (Saturday 30 – Sunday 31 May) for essential maintenance work.

We’re sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.
Find out more here: link.bl.uk/5ym