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EnglishWhat Exhibitions and Events Does the British Library Offer?
Updated
The British Library offers a permanent exhibition, Treasures of the British Library, featuring some of the world's most exciting, beautiful and significant books, maps and manuscripts; temporary exhibitions such as Agatha Christie: A World of Mystery (30 October 2026 – 20 June 2027); and a wider programme of events and courses with world-class speakers. Events take place in London, in Yorkshire and online. The Library describes itself as open to everyone and free to use, so you can explore its buildings, study, meet friends and attend an event.
Exhibitions
Permanent: Treasures of the British Library
A standing exhibition where you can see highlights from the collections — books, maps and manuscripts. Because it is permanent, it does not depend on a temporary exhibition timetable, making it a reliable option if your visit date is fixed.
Temporary: Agatha Christie — A World of Mystery
Running 30 October 2026 to 20 June 2027, this exhibition covers the life of the "Queen of Crime." If your interest is a specific temporary exhibition, check its dates against your trip before planning around it — the Library lists exhibitions with start and end dates for exactly this reason.
Events and Courses
The Library runs events, exhibitions and courses with "a host of world-class speakers," in London, Yorkshire and online. The online strand matters if you cannot travel: it lets you attend without visiting a building. The site's "All events" listing is the place to confirm what is scheduled during your dates.
Where to Go and What to Check First
| What you want | Where it happens | What to confirm before you go |
|---|---|---|
| See collection highlights | Permanent Treasures exhibition | Opening arrangements on your visit date |
| See a specific temporary exhibition | London (per the exhibition listing) | Dates: 30 Oct 2026 – 20 Jun 2027 for Agatha Christie |
| Attend a talk or course | London, Yorkshire or online | The individual event listing and whether it is online |
| Study or use the building | Library study spaces | Whether Reading Rooms or registration are affected by closures |
A Practical Caution: Check Service Updates
The Library posts operational news that can affect a visit. One example from the site: a partial building closure on 24 and 25 October, when some Reading Rooms and Reader Registration were closed over the weekend and item request fulfilment was limited. If your plan depends on a Reading Room or on requesting items, check the "Latest updates" news before travelling — an event or exhibition visit may be unaffected while study services are not.
Getting Started
The homepage is organised around the question "What do you want to do today?", with entry points for searching the main catalogue, discovering collections, visiting the Library and using study spaces. For exhibitions and events specifically, start from the events and exhibitions section and use "All events" to see the full programme across London, Yorkshire and online.