Frequently asked questions

For centuries, Black communities have created music in the UK, melding global influences into a Black British sound that has echoed through generations.

Inspired by the British Library’s new Beyond the Bassline exhibition, libraries across the UK will host a free panel display from to help tell a national story about Black music in Britain through the Living Knowledge Network.

Beyond the Bassline, documents 500 years of Black music in Britain and explores the people, places and genres that have formed a British soundtrack. It highlights music as a form of entertainment and vehicle for community, as well as a source of liberation, protest and education, and spotlights clubs, carnivals and community hubs from across the country that have cultivated creative expression and inspired a number of Black British music genres.

Beyond the Bassline is taking place in our partner libraries across the UK throughout Black History Month in October 2024 and beyond. See below for information on our partners and exhibition locations:

• Bradford
  • St George's Hall (1 October–31 October 2024)
• Bristol
  • Bristol Central Library (1 October–31 December 2024)
• Cheshire West and Chester
  • Neston Library (9 September–29 November 2024)
  • Ellesmere Port Library (6 January–31 March 2025)
• Gateshead
  • Gateway Studio (1 October 2024–24 April 2026)
• Kirklees
  • Chestnut Centre, Deighton
  • Kirklees Local Studies Library
  • Cleckheaton (1 October–31 October 2024)
• Leeds
  • Halton (1 October–31 October 2024)
• Liverpool
  • Liverpool Central Library
  • Toxteth Library (1 October–31 October 2024)
• Norfolk
  • Norwich Millenium Library (1 October–31 October 2024)
• Sheffield
  • Sheffield Central Library (22 July–4 November 2024)
• Worcestershire
  • The Hive, Worcester

The Living Knowledge Network is a partnership between public and national libraries in the UK, created by the British Library. Together we celebrate libraries and create memorable experiences. On this website you can watch our specially-curated live events, so you can get a front-row seat for free no matter where you live. You can also explore content created by Living Knowledge Network libraries.

You can find out more about the network at www.bl.uk/living-knowledge-network

Our live screening events are returning in-person to our partner libraries as well as continuing online. Check our partner libraries' websites and social media for more information on attending upcoming live screening events in person.

You can view all our events on living-knowledge-network.co.uk for free. There is no need to register, at the time of the event simply come to this website and enjoy.

To stream a video we would recommend an internet connection of at least 1mbps.

You can find our calendar of upcoming events on our homepage using the ‘Filter Events’ option and choosing ‘Upcoming’

If you want to be the first to know about our upcoming events you can also follow us on Twitter at @LKN_Libraries

Yes. You can find our previous live-streamed events on our homepage using the ‘Filter Events’ option and choosing ‘On-demand’. Not all of our upcoming live events will be immediately available in the archive, so be sure to tune in so you don’t miss out.

Parental discretion is advised when using the website as there is a range of content viewable. You can find content warnings in the description of the videos as a guide.

You can submit your questions by using the 'Ask a Question' form under the event you are watching. You can also join in the conversation and ask a question on Twitter by tagging us at @LKN_Libraries

It is important to us that the events we create are what you would like to see. You can give us feedback through the 'Leave Feedback' button next to each video description. Any information and comments you give us helps us to continue to improve our programme and your experience. All feedback is anonymous.

We endeavour to provide live captioning for our live events online. You can turn these on with the ‘CC’ button in the player window. Subtitles are available on all our videos. If you think subtitles are missing from any of our videos, or would like to discuss any other access needs, please email living.knowledge@bl.uk.

If you would like to support the Living Knowledge Network you can make a donation at bl.uk/support, selecting Living Knowledge Network in the drop-down box.

If you have watched one of our events please let us know what you thought through the 'Leave Feedback' button and follow us on Twitter.

Yes. Please visit the British Library What's On page to see the full list of current British Library events available.