The national library of Great Britain and the world’s largest library, the British Library, is launching its first smartphone app today for iPhone, iPad and Android. The “Treasures” app offers a selection of the items available in the Library’s Sir John Ritblat Treasures Gallery and includes over 100 collection items, 250 high-definition images, and 40 videos with expert commentary, as well as information about the Library’s current exhibitions.
The app includes major literary, political and musical texts: the first edition of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Charles Dickens’s handwritten draft of Nicholas Nickleby, Nelson’s Battle Plan written before his victory at Trafalgar, Galileo’s letters, Jane Austen’s teenage writings, the original Magna Carta, Leonardo Da Vinci’s notebooks, and handwritten lyrics by The Beatles.
The videos that accompany many of the items help put the collection in context and include, for example, linguist David Crystal discussing the poem Beowulf.
Frances Brindle, British Library Director, Strategic Marketing & Communications stresses the importance of access to the library’s collections via mobile technologies. “The Library is committed to increasing access to its collections and broadening the reach of our services and this app demonstrates our commitment to engaging with the mobile community.”
The iPhone and Android versions are available to download for £2.39 (US $3.99). The iPad version – in HD – will cost you £3.49 (US $5.99) There is an introductory discount for the apps that will run until January 24.
