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History of the bfi National Library
From humble beginnings as a small collection of books on an office shelf to the world's largest collection of moving image materials, the bfi National Library has a rich and fascinating history.
Dean Street, library location in the 1950s
When Ernest Lindgren was appointed in 1934 as head of what was then called the bfi Information Service, it was in response to one of the proposed aims of the BFI:
"To act as a clearing house for information on all matters affecting the production, exhibition and distribution of films…at home and abroad"
Since Lindgren was appointed this statement has been the bedrock of the work done by the library. The library collections have grown to include books, journals, reports, directories, newspaper cuttings, festival catalogues, audio tapes and in Special Collections the personal papers and ephemera of some of the great and the good in film and TV making. The library holds material dating from the age of the pre-cinema magic lanterns to today's global entertainment industry.
Today's library in Stephen Street holds 48,000 titles
The library and its collections support the National Film Theatre by producing programme notes that accompany screenings and supply in-depth listings of cast and credits to monthly film magazine Sight & Sound. Researchers, job seekers and moving image enthusiasts of all ages utilise the collections daily, either via the Reading Room, through telephone and email enquiries to the Information Service and increasingly via the website too.
In 2004 the Library celebrated its 70th anniversary. In 70 years the library has moved at least five times and the premises have still never been large enough to house the whole collection under one roof. However, the one constant has been the strength of knowledge and enthusiasm of library staff past and present and the support of library users.
After 70 years the bfi National Library is not just a collection of books, neither is it a warehouse repository of materials. It is a vital, accessible and expanding collection of knowledge about film and television.
