19 episodes
Anything But Silent Pixiu
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- Books
Buzzing, creative, brave. Libraries don’t just keep our stories safe; they’re where new stories begin. Meet the people making amazing things happen in them. Hosted by Cleo Laskarin from the British Library’s exhibitions team. Discover more at www.bl.uk. Supported by the Eccles Centre for American Studies at the British Library.
A Pixiu Production.
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Joining the library: Anab Jain
The designer, futurist, filmmaker and educator tells us about one of her favourite books: The Dispossessed by Ursula Le Guin (1974).
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Do librarians dream of electric cranes?
To start the new year, we take a look into the future. Meet the British Library’s robot assistants, get coding at Oxfordshire County Library and take the long view with Norway’s Future Library. Plus we visit our Flashback Project in Boston Spa, which ensures digital content is preserved and accessible even after the original technology has become obsolete.
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Joining the library: Blindboy
‘He was writing in the way that I speak. He was talking about country roads that I know….it was me.’ Author and podcaster Blindboy tells us about the writing that made him: The Third Policeman (written in 1939 and published in 1967) by Brian O'Nolan, writing under the pseudonym Flann O'Brien. Contains plot spoilers and some profanity.
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Libraries of the unexpected
Encounter Willard Library’s Lady in Grey, be spellbound by the British Library’s collection and meet a druid from a library in the heart of spiritual south-west England. Who you gonna call? A librarian, obviously.
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Joining the library: Damian Le Bas
‘It’s interesting when something which isn’t of your realm of experience causes you to look at your own domain differently.’ Writer Damian Le Bas tells us about The Son by Philipp Meyer (2013).
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‘An embassy for humanity’
Libraries are good company. This month we borrow some people from the Human Library, join the Little Free Library book-sharing movement and visit a sports academy working with young people which received support from our Business & IP Centre.
Customer Reviews
Warm, funny, fascinating
I loved this. Disparate but themed stories from the world of libraries, told with authority, insight and a complete lack of stuffiness. Episode one, ‘The library is open’, takes in a storytelling scheme for prisoners and their kids, a remote Nepalese library that’s fighting people-trafficking, and a very pleasant man explaining why Magna Carta can’t get you off a parking ticket.
Magna Carta the start of British politics?
Lotta politics around these days. Very interesting to hear about one of the first really big political tussles between different sides in this first British Library podcast. And to be reminded that the original Magna Carta is on display for free in Kings Cross
Surprising stories, well told.
I came to this podcast not knowing what to expect but came away moved and surprised. I can’t wait to hear more from and found the Prison story especially moving. Looking forward to the next episode.