FCB Inferno to Boost British Library's Digital Profile

The British Library is set to develop a single digital presence for the country’s public libraries and has tasked creative agency FCB Inferno to work on its brand development.

As the national library for the U.K., it holds over 170 million items across its London and Yorkshire locations—including millions of books, newspapers, maps, sound recordings, academic journals and patents. It works with libraries based across the U.K. to offer people the chance to explore that collection, as well as gain access to its events and expertise —which through this project it aims to take online.

The agency has been tasked to “raise and re-energize” the profile of libraries by developing their digital presence, as well as the creation of a unifying visual and verbal language to represent their diversified use.

The appointment, which comes with a budget of around $135,000 (100 thousand pounds), is part of a project supported by Arts Council England. It has invested $4.6 million (3.5 million pounds) into supporting public libraries across the country. Of this, $1.35 million (1 million pounds) will be spent on local library sites during the next phase.

“Public libraries are vital parts of our knowledge infrastructure—they provide access to all and enable communities to learn from each other,” explained Liz Jolly, chief librarian at the British Library, who welcomed the agency onto the project.

The aim is to provide a national platform for libraries to attempt to reach and engage with people to increase their interest and use of the state service. Both the brand and platform will include accessibility and the ability to connect.

Sharon Jiggins, chief marketing officer at FCB Inferno, added: “Public libraries occupy such a unique place in our communities and in our hearts and minds. This platform represents an exciting opportunity for people to connect or reconnect to resources, information and inspiration that can enrich their lives. The need for libraries has never been greater, nor more critical.”


This article was first published in Adweek. Read the full article here.