The British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom, located in London. It is one of the largest libraries in the world, housing over 170 million items, including books, manuscripts, maps, and recordings. The library's collection spans various subjects and languages, making it a vital resource for researchers and the public. Established in 1973, the British Library serves as a legal deposit library, meaning it receives copies of all books published in the UK. It also preserves important historical documents, such as the Magna Carta and works by famous authors like William Shakespeare and Jane Austen.