Frequently asked questions

Set out on a legendary quest through the impossible worlds of fantasy.

For centuries readers have escaped their everyday lives and journeyed into new worlds filled with magic and adventure, incredible mythical creatures, and heroes and villains that speak to our greatest dreams and fears. From ancient folk tales and fairy stories, gothic horror and weird fiction, to live action role-playing games, fantasy is a rich genre filled with magical worlds imagined by writers, artists and creators that has had an enduring, global impact.

Libraries play a special role in the canon of fantasy literature, providing portals to other realms, containing magical texts that help heroes on their quests and of course the librarians that help the characters navigate wondrous lands and the strange creatures they contain.

At libraries in the Living Knowledge Network readers will be able to discover special content that will help bring the iconic characters and worlds of the genre to life as their local library transforms into a fantastical realm of its own.

Fantasy: Realms of Imagination is taking place in our partner libraries across the UK from 27 October 2023–25 February 2024. See below for information on our partners and exhibition locations:

• Aberdeen
  • Aberdeen Central Library
• BCP (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole)
  • Kinson Library (27 October–13 November 2023)
  • Bournemouth Library (20 November–20 December 2023)
  • Christchurch Library (3 January–29 January 2024)
  • Broadstone Library (5 February–25 February 2024)
• Birmingham
  • Library of Birmingham
• Bristol
  • Bristol Central Library
• Cambridgeshire
  • Cambridge Central Library (October 2023–January 2024)
  • Ely Library (January 2024)
  • Huntingdon Library (February 2024)
• Camden
  • Swiss Cottage Library (26 October–16 November 2023)
  • Kilburn Library (17 November–7 December 2023)
  • Pancras Square Library (9 December–28 December 2023)
  • Holborn Library (30 December 2023–16 January 2024)
  • Kentish Town Library (18 January–8 February 2024)
• Coventry
  • Coventry Central Library
• Edinburgh
  • Edinburgh Central Library
• Glasgow (Glasgow Life)
  • The Mitchell Library
• Hampshire
  • Farnborough Library
  • Basingstoke Discovery Centre
  • Aldershot Library
  • Hythe Library
  • Chandler’s Ford Library
  • Gosport Discovery Centre
• Hull (Hull Culture and Leisure)
  • Hull Central Library
• Jersey
  • Jersey Library
• Kent
  • Ashford Library (27 October–11 November 2023)
  • Deal Library (18 November–9 December 2023)
  • Sevenoaks Library (16 December 2023–6 January 2024)
  • Dartford Library (13 January–27 January 2024)
  • Hythe Library (3 February–24 February 2024)
• Kirklees
  • Cleckheaton Library
  • Dewsbury Library
• Leeds
  • Chapel Allerton
• Libraries Unlimited
  • Exeter Central Library
• Libraries Northern Ireland
  • Carrickfergus Library (20 December 2023–20 January 2024)
• Liverpool
  • Liverpool Central Library
• Manchester
  • Manchester Central Library
• Newcastle
  • Newcastle City Library
• Norfolk
  • Norwich Millenium Library (27 October–11 November 2023)
  • Norfolk Heritage Centre (13 November–15 December 2023)
  • Great Yarmouth Library (3 January–25 February 2024)
• Nottinghamshire (Inspire)
  • Nottinghamshire Archives
  • Worksop Library
  • Kirkby-in-Ashfield Library
• Plymouth
  • Plymouth Central Library (28 October–25 November 2023)
  • Plympton Library (1 December–21 December 2023)
  • Southway Library (8 January–27 January 2024)
  • Plymstock Library (2 February–29 February 2024)
• Reading
  • Reading Central Library
• Sheffield
  • Sheffield Central Library
• Suffolk
  • Lowestoft Library
  • Ipswich Library
• Surrey
  • Guildford Library (27 October–23 November 2023)
  • Horley Library (24 November–21 December 2023)
  • Dittons Library (22 December 2023–25 January 2024)
  • Chertsey Library (26 January–24 February 2024)
• Wakefield
  • Wakefield Library (27 October–23 December 2023)
  • Pontefract Library (8 January–25 February 2024)
• Warwickshire
  • Rugby Library (27 October–12 November 2023)
  • Leamington Library (15 November–22 November 2023)
  • Nuneaton Library (25 November–10 December 2023)
  • Stratford Library (11 December–20 December 2023)
  • Atherstone Library (23 December 2023–8 January 2024)
  • Warwick Library (11 January–24 January 2024)
  • Bedworth Library (25 January–11 February 2024)
  • Kenilworth Library (14 February–25 February 2023)
• Worcestershire
  • Evesham Library (27 October–14 November 2023)
  • Malvern Library (15 November–4 December 2023)
  • Redditch Library (5 December–22 December 2023)
  • Bromsgrove Library (27 December 2023–12 January 2024)
  • Kidderminster Library (15 January–29 January 2024)
  • The Hive, Worcester (30 January–25 February 2024)

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.