The British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom and one of the world's greatest research libraries. The Library's collection has developed over 250 years and exceeds 150 million separate items representing every age of written civilization and includes books, journals, manuscripts, maps, stamps, music, patents, photographs, newspapers, and sound recordings in all written and spoken languages.

Among the greatest treasures in the Library's collection are two copies of the Magna Carta from 1215; the Lindisfarne Gospels; Leonardo da Vinci's notebook; the first edition of the Times (London) from 18 March 1788; manuscripts of the Beatles' lyrics; and the recording of Nelson Mandela's speech given at his trial.