Presentation to MA Science and Art students from Central Saint Martins, London, 8th December 2014

1. Natural Sounds at the British
Library
Cheryl Tipp

2. Overview
• Formed in 1969 as part of the British Institute of Recorded Sound
• Over 160,000 wildlife & environmental recordings most of which are
unpublished and unique to the Library
• Birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, insects, natural habitats,
environmental sounds
•Only publicly accessible collection of its kind in the UK
www.bl.uk 2

3. The Published Collection
Actual Bird Record of a Captive Nightingale, 1910 (HMV)
www.bl.uk 3

4. Songs of Wild Birds box set front cover, 1936 (H.F & G Witherby Ltd)
www.bl.uk 4

5. More Songs of Wild Birds box set interior, 1937 (H.F. & G Witherby Ltd)
www.bl.uk 5

6. Radions Fågel Skivor series,1958-1967 (Sveriges Radio)
www.bl.uk 6

7. Japanese Bird Songs vol 1, 1954 (Victor)
www.bl.uk 7

8. Booklet accompanying Japanese Bird Songs vol 1, 1954 (Victor)
www.bl.uk 8

9. The Unpublished Collection
Species reels, basement two storage area
www.bl.uk 9

10. Bill Sinclair collection WA 2001/44
www.bl.uk 10

11. Uses of the Collection
Scientists – communication, behaviour, evolution, neurology,
psychology
Museums – exhibitions, interpretation panels, audio tours
Artists – inspiration, sampling, adaptation
Teachers – teaching aids
Broadcasters – radio, TV, film, podcasts
www.bl.uk 11

12. Nightingale & Canary
Birdsong visualisation by artist Andy Thomas as part of the
Europeana Creative project
www.bl.uk 12

13. Inspired by Flickr
Their sitting at meate: Chris Lynn
Hardness, a level can be driven: Daniel Barbiero
www.bl.uk 13

14. Accessing the Archives
www.bl.uk 14

15. British Library Sounds sounds.bl.uk
www.bl.uk 15

16. Online Catalogue: sami.bl.uk
www.bl.uk 16

17. Thank you
cheryl.tipp@bl.uk
@CherylTipp