Opening up new worlds through libraries
Opening up new worlds through libraries
Since the first British Council library opened in Portugal in 1938, our libraries have been at the heart of the communities they serve.
As safe places for reading, cultural havens and gateways to information, they play an important role in our history and continue to spark imagination, understanding and opportunities for members around the world.
‘The British Council library was a source of a lot of joy and a lot of meaning.’
Ben Gomes, Senior Vice-President, Learning and Education, Google
After establishing our libraries in Europe in the 1930s, from 1945 we expanded our work to provide training and introduce library services to communities in Africa, Asia and Central America.
After establishing our libraries in Europe in the 1930s, from 1945 we expanded our work to provide training and introduce library services to communities in Africa, Asia and Central America.
Boxes of books from the British Council in Yangon going on loan to the cities of Mawlamyine and Pathein in Myanmar, 1960.
Boxes of books from the British Council in Yangon going on loan to the cities of Mawlamyine and Pathein in Myanmar, 1960.
Our travelling library services in Nigeria in 1950.
Teaching centre in Mozambique, 2015
Our library in Kantipath, Nepal in 1962.
Our library in Kantipath, Nepal in 1962.
Our library services supported book schemes, opening up information and learning to countless individuals worldwide.
The Low-Priced Books Scheme, created in partnership with the UK government’s Central Office, made a wide range of British books available at affordable prices in 54 countries where financial barriers had previously hindered access. The first collection of low-cost university textbooks was published in India during the winter of 1960–61.
In the late 1980s, in collaboration with Ethiopia’s Ministry of Education, we also introduced the Bulk Loan Scheme, which brought hundreds of science-focused books to state schools, providing invaluable learning resources for thousands of students.
Our library services supported book schemes, opening up information and learning to countless individuals worldwide.
The Low-Priced Books Scheme, created in partnership with the UK government’s Central Office, made a wide range of British books available at affordable prices in 54 countries where financial barriers had previously hindered access. The first collection of low-cost university textbooks was published in India during the winter of 1960–61.
In the late 1980s, in collaboration with Ethiopia’s Ministry of Education, we also introduced the Bulk Loan Scheme, which brought hundreds of science-focused books to state schools, providing invaluable learning resources for thousands of students.
‘British Council libraries become safe spaces for accessing foreign languages, uncensored resources, exchanging ideas, and treasuring cultural heritage at times and in contexts of political instability.’
Yamin Nyi Nyi, our current Head of Libraries in Myanmar, tells the story of one of her predecessors, Monica Mya Muang.
In 1971, we teamed up with the UK Foreign Office’s Overseas Development Administration to launch an ambitious book aid programme.
The programme led to a substantial expansion of our book exhibitions overseas.
267 exhibitions were held in 70 countries, allowing international audiences to discover over 100,000 British books for free.
In 1971, we teamed up with the UK Foreign Office’s Overseas Development Administration to launch an ambitious book aid programme.
The programme led to a substantial expansion of our book exhibitions overseas.
267 exhibitions were held in 70 countries, allowing international audiences to discover over 100,000 British books for free.
In 1985, we embraced new technologies to streamline our book sourcing and supply, delivering a faster and more efficient service to our libraries.
In 1985, we embraced new technologies to streamline our book sourcing and supply, delivering a faster and more efficient service to our libraries.
Visitors from Oyo State government wait to register at the opening of the British Council library in Ibadan, Nigeria, in 1976.
Visitors from Oyo State government wait to register at the opening of the British Council library in Ibadan, Nigeria, in 1976.
A two-hour queue formed when the British Council library in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia re-opened to the public in 1996 after a three-month closure. On the first day of opening, over 2,500 members visited, prompting the library to extend its hours and remain open until late into the evening.
A two-hour queue formed when the British Council library in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia re-opened to the public in 1996 after a three-month closure. On the first day of opening, over 2,500 members visited, prompting the library to extend its hours and remain open until late into the evening.
Former Indian President KR Narayanan with our Chief Librarian Jayarajanz visiting the British Council library in Delhi in 2002.
Former Indian President KR Narayanan with our Chief Librarian Jayarajanz visiting the British Council library in Delhi in 2002.
‘The British Council library has many memories for me as a young reader and writer. It’s where I discovered crime fiction as a teenager, Booker-wining novels as a writer, and now as a parent, the children’s and YA fiction.
It’s where I had my first encounters with a computer, where I saw Arundhati Roy, Benjamin Zephaniah and Fiona Shaw, and where I received the Gratiaen Prize for my first novel, Chinaman.
It’s wonderful to see it thriving in the 21st century as a digital library and I hope it continues to inspire generations of Sri Lankan kids.’
Shehan Karunatilaka, author
‘The British Council library has many memories for me as a young reader and writer. It’s where I discovered crime fiction as a teenager, Booker-wining novels as a writer, and now as a parent, the children’s and YA fiction.
It’s where I had my first encounters with a computer, where I saw Arundhati Roy, Benjamin Zephaniah and Fiona Shaw, and where I received the Gratiaen Prize for my first novel, Chinaman.
It’s wonderful to see it thriving in the 21st century as a digital library and I hope it continues to inspire generations of Sri Lankan kids.’
Shehan Karunatilaka, author
Today, our ten physical libraries in India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Pakistan continue to thrive as vibrant community spaces, offering access to information, nurturing education, and promoting meaningful cultural connections.
Today, our ten physical libraries in India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Pakistan continue to thrive as vibrant community spaces, offering access to information, nurturing education, and promoting meaningful cultural connections.
His Majesty King Charles III, then The Prince of Wales, at the opening of the new British Council library in Colombo, Sri Lanka in 2013.
Teaching centre in Mozambique, 2015
Physical and digital libraries co-exist at the British Council library in Lahore, Pakistan, pictured in 2016.
Physical and digital libraries co-exist at the British Council library in Lahore, Pakistan, pictured in 2016.
Shakespeare Lives at the British Council library in Mumbai, India in 2016.
Shakespeare Lives at the British Council library in Mumbai, India in 2016.
Recently, as the ways people use libraries changed, we moved many of our libraries online.
Our digital library now provides access to thousands of books, newspapers, research journals, films, music and more to people in 32 countries.
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