British Library, Living Knowledge Network
The British Library is one of the world’s largest libraries, holding a vast collection of books, manuscripts, and cultural artifacts. The Living Knowledge Network aims to democratize access to this vast heritage, allowing local communities to experience national treasures and cultural stories through libraries across the UK.
The goal of using Museum in a Box within the Living Knowledge Network was to make cultural and historical artifacts more accessible to local communities, particularly through hands-on learning. The British Library wanted to provide a tangible, interactive experience to engage people of all ages with their collections.
As part of the Living Knowledge Network, Museum in a Box was circulated to various libraries around the UK. Each library received a set of 3D-printed objects with accompanying audio descriptions, allowing visitors to engage with artifacts in new and exciting ways. The audio included context about the artifacts, with storytelling elements that brought history to life.
For example, Suffolk Libraries used Museum in a Box as part of their “Beyond the Bassline” exhibition, celebrating Black British music and culture. This initiative, running in 2022, allowed visitors to explore the evolution of Black British music through 3D objects and audio, fostering a deeper understanding of this cultural movement.
To supplement “Beyond the Bassline”, Coventry Libraries had recordings of poetry and spoken word supplied by Coventry Poet Laureate John Bernard. These sound and audio samples were taken from their collections and available to loan. You can visit the Coventry Libraries collection on our Heart Platform.
The use of Museum in a Box successfully engaged visitors with artifacts and cultural heritage in an immersive, multi-sensory way. Libraries like Suffolk highlighted Black British music through interactive exhibits that combined storytelling with physical objects. Feedback from both librarians and participants was positive, with visitors praising the hands-on and auditory elements that made the exhibits more accessible and engaging.
The British Library’s use of Museum in a Box demonstrated the power of combining tactile engagement with digital storytelling to enrich cultural education. Libraries found that the technology was effective in reaching audiences who might not traditionally engage with museum exhibits or library collections. It also fostered community involvement and inspired other libraries to think creatively about how to present cultural content.
The British Library’s Living Knowledge Network successfully used Museum in a Box to democratize access to cultural artifacts. The initiative exemplifies how libraries can serve as cultural hubs, making national collections accessible at a local level while also encouraging community engagement with underrepresented cultural stories.
For further details about the British Library’s Living Knowledge Network and how Suffolk Libraries implemented Museum in a Box as part of their “Beyond the Bassline” exhibition, visit their respective pages.
A late addendum to this post from June 2025 where we just heard that Beyond the Bassline won the Museums & Heritage award 2025 for this show. More detail here
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