PLANNED INDUSTRIAL ACTION AT BRITISH LIBRARY

“Members of the Public & Commercial Services Union (PCS) have voted for a one day strike on Wednesday 20 March 2013 over changes to pay, pensions and working conditions in the public sector.

The British Library at St Pancras plans to be open as usual for visitors to its public areas and exhibition galleries, but there is likely to be significant disruption to our Reading Room services with the potential of late opening and some rooms likely to remain closed.

Further, we may only be able to facilitate a maximum of five requests per person in Reading Rooms that are open on 20 March, and no transfers will be possible between Reading Rooms in St Pancras. There may also be delays in the delivery of collection items held off-site.

Although every effort will be made to maintain opening hours of available rooms until 20.00, there is a possibility of early closure at 17.00.

We plan to open the Boston Spa Reading Room and the Newspaper Library at Colindale but there may be disruption to our services.

We urge all Readers to check any changes to the Library’s opening hours and available services. We will keep you updated on our website – please see the home page at  www.bl.uk“