British Library annual report becomes a video star

The British Library has turned to video and animations in an effort to increase the number of people who use its annual report. By using Web 2.0 technology, it hopes to attract a new audience.

Last year’s online report was the first to break away from the traditional strategy of simply reproducing the print version. For its latest Annual Report 2006-07, the British Library has used Web 2.0 technologies such as webcam clips, video presentations from board members and animated tables to bring the content to life.
Jon Purday, editor of the report, said the BL was “very excited” about this year’s innovations. “We want to generate more of a dialogue with users and stakeholders,” he said. “Each page links to the projects and resources that are talked about in the report.”

The report also features a series of nine video case studies of people who have used the BL’s collections and services in the past year ­from an acclaimed biographer of Robespierre and a historian researching the Jews of Baghdad, to a local schoolgirl inspired by an exhibition on the slave trade.

British Library chief executive Lynne Brindley said the BL had hit or exceeded “every important target”, including attracting more women and ethnic minorities to the Business and IP Centre and younger visitors to the exhibitions.