The British Library
Introduction
The British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom. It was established by the British Library Act 1972 as a national centre for reference, study and bibliographical and other information services, in relation both to scientific and technological matters and to the humanities, and consisting of a comprehensive collection of books, manuscripts, periodicals, films and other recorded matter, whether printed or otherwise.
The Library is managed through 11 directorates. It operates from 19 different sites in London and from Boston Spa in Yorkshire. A new purpose-built headquarters building for the Library is in the final stages of construction at St Pancras, London.
The Board of the British Library currently comprises the Chairman, three full-time members and ten part-time members appointed by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on the basis of knowledge and experience of library or university affairs, finance, industry or administration.
| | Number of Staff | | | Expenditure (£m) |
| 1995/96 | 2528 | | 1995/96 | 112.4 |
| 1996/97 | 2468 | | 1996/97 | 118.6 |
| 1997/98 | 2612* | | 1997/98 | 127.6 |
| *Forecast | | |
Copies of the Library's Annual Report and Code of Service are available from the above address.
Achievements in 1996/97
During 1996/97, the Library accelerated its plans for occupying and operating from its new building at St Pancras, and the first books were moved into the new building on schedule on 2 December 1996.
It has progressed its plans for 'digital library' developments and it issued in February 1997 an Official Journal notice for a market sounding exercise with potential PPP partners.
Following a submission to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport seeking legal deposit of non-print publications, a Consultation Paper on Legal Deposit was issued in February 1997.
The procurement under the Private Public Partnership of services to support the Library's Corporate Bibliographic Programme was also progressed during the year.
Savings of some £1 million from the discontinuation of duplicated serial subscriptions were obtained. Receipts for the year at £33.7 million were 2% above target.
Plans for 1997/98
The Library plans to open its first reading rooms at St Pancras as follows: the General Humanities Reading Room on 24 November 1997 and the Rare Books and Music Reading Room during the first quarter of 1998.
The Library will launch the online version of the Inside current awareness and document supply service, it will complete implementation of its Financial Management Change Project and will progress its Digital Library Development PFI project to best and final offer.
By the end of the year, the major components of the Corporate Bibliographical System will be developed.
The Board is to establish a self-financing body (the British Library Foundation) for fund raising. The Library's overall revenue target for the forthcoming financial year is £37.7 million.
Key Performance Targets
|
| 1994/95
| 1995/96
| 1996/97
| 1997/98
|
Key Measure
|
Set
|
Achieved
|
Set
|
Achieved
|
Set
|
Achieved
|
Set
|
Reader Visits
|
468,650
|
456,357
|
477,029
|
477,147
|
485,215
|
475,826
|
476,571
|
Items Consulted (millions)
|
5.2
|
5.4
|
5.5
|
5.7
|
6.0
|
5.6
|
5.5
|
Books delivered within 90 minutes (%)
|
80
|
69
|
80
|
88
|
80
|
82
|
80
|
Free Inquiries
|
455,200
|
473,414
|
479,628
|
573,321
|
556,450
|
582,672
|
554,919
|
Items Catalogued
|
283,876
|
311,963
|
273,330
|
304,836
|
313,080
|
757,368
|
353,205
|
Receipts (£m)
|
29.9
|
31.6
|
31.4
|
34.1
|
33.1
|
33.7
|
37.7
|
|
