British museum reading room wiki. It has since been closed while its future use remains under discussion. Aug 2, 2025 · The allure of the British Museum Reading Room wasn’t just its architecture; it was the unparalleled collection of books and manuscripts it housed, and the atmosphere it fostered. . Much of the action of David Lodge 's 1965 novel The British Museum Is Falling Down takes place in the old Reading Room. The British Museum Reading Room is the subject of an eponymous poem, "The British Museum Reading Room", by Louis MacNeice. In 1972 the national library collection became known as the British Library, and in 1997 it moved to separate premises. Aug 20, 2018 · English: The British Museum Reading Room was the main reading room for the UK national library collection, housed in the British Museum, from 1857 to 1997. The Reading Room is the heart of the British Museum, located in the center of the Great Court. It was reopened in 2000, and from 2007 to 2017 it was used to stage temporary exhibitions. The Reading Room was used exclusively for special exhibitions from 2007 until 2013, and remained completely closed until this year, 2024. It was reopened in 2000, and from 2007 to 2014 it was used to stage temporary exhibitions. Now, the space is open to the public once again, inviting visitors to explore its rich history. Designed by Sydney Smirke and opened in 1857, the Reading Room was in continual use until its temporary closure for renovation in 1997. febwm djnjd adecjq aokub jaawcs pak dtukr ahgasq yivewn tnxpnnzb