New rules on luggage at the British Librarys

St Pancras building in 2011

22 December 2010
We will be introducing some changes to our luggage policy from 1 February 2011.
You may be aware that, because of our proximity to major transport hubs, the
Librarys luggage facilities are used by some members of the general public. This
means that our facilities, intended for use by Readers and Library visitors, are
sometimes completely full. To discourage this, on 1 February 2011 we will be
introducing a restriction in the size of luggage admitted to the St Pancras site
to airline carry on size. This will also help reduce the security risk associated
with large bags.
If you have any queries, please contact service-improvement@bl.uk

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON LUGGAGE SIZE RESTRICTION

Q1. Whats the reason for these restrictions? Is it security? Or space?
A1. The Library provides facilities for visitors and Readers to store their coats and
luggage when using the St Pancras building. Therefore the cloakroom can be
extremely busy. The tendency for people who are not visiting the building for
our collections or services, but use us only to store their luggage free of charge,
is putting an increasing strain on the system.
Consequently, we need to look to a reduction in the size and number of bags
being brought into the Library, and a consequential reduction in security risk.
Q2. Whats the largest item I can bring in? And how many can I bring in?
A2. This is the standard airline carry on size, i.e. 56cm (h) X 45cm (w) X 25cm
(l), and you will be able to bring two into the Library.
Q3. Is the size restriction only applicable if I want to store an item in either
the Cloakroom or lockers? Can I take luggage round the public areas, including
exhibitions, without it being affected by this size restriction?
A3. The size restriction is applicable to all items brought into the main St Pancras
building, whether the lockers or Cloakroom are used or not.
Q4. If I have brought an item that it is too big, where else can I leave it? And
will it be open the same hours as the Library? And will I have to pay?
A4. There are other Left Luggage facilities nearby, including St Pancras
International train station next door, Kings Cross train station and Euston train
station. These are all open seven days a week, with longer opening hours than
the Library. They charge on average 8 an item see www.left-baggage.co.uk
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for further details.

Q5. How much extra time will this bag size check take?
A5. We do not anticipate this adding significantly more time to entering the
building, as it will be part of the security bag check already in operation. Also
there will be an opportunity for visitors and Readers to check the size of their
luggage before coming in, using an airport-style service size test frame on the
Piazza, so they do not have to queue to enter the building, and then find out
that their luggage is too big.
Q6. How will I know when I arrive if I can take a piece of luggage into the
building? I dont want to queue for a while, and only then be told I cant bring
an item in.
A6. See above. There will be an opportunity to check the size of your bag
yourself, before entering the Library.
Q7. How does this affect items such as foldaway bicycles? Can I store mine
inside, and will I have to pay for it?
A7. There will no charge for foldaway bicycles or pushchairs. These can be
secured in the Locker Room, using the chains there.
Q8. Will there be luggage size restrictions at the Boston Spa Reading
Room?
A20. No. This is because neither of these sites have had the same problem as
the St Pancras site of non-Library users taking advantage of the facilities.
Integrated Risk Management Team
The British Library