IPhone app finds treasure

January 22, 2011

The British Library has launched a new app that brings 100 of the institution’s rarest items to your iPhone or iPad ‘The Treasures Mobile App.’

The Treasures mobile app presents a wealth of images at your fingertips. For example, the world’s oldest bible, sketches by Leonardo da Vinci and Nelson’s battle plan for Trafalgar, among many other rare works. You can browse through categories such as Science, History, Music, Literature, Faith and Religions, Maps and Views, and Illuminated Manuscripts and you’ll also find highlights from the British Library’s current ‘Evolving English’ exhibition. Now you can learn about and interact with with the treasures in your own home, on the move, or within the Library itself. Each is presented through high-resolution images, allowing the viewer to zoom in and explore in detail. ‘Treasures’ offers smartphone users a true multimedia experience.

Frances Brindle, the British Library’s director of Strategic Marketing & Communications explained: “Access to our collections through mobile technology is an exciting initiative for the Library. We are delighted to be able to make our unique collection items available to a wider audience via this interactive app in such a dynamic format.

“The Library is committed to increasing access to its collections and this app demonstrates our commitment to engaging with the mobile community,” Brindle added.

The app is available for the iPhone, iPad and Android-based handsets. The iPhone and Android versions usually cost £2.39 and the iPad version £3.49 , but if you are keen to get the introductory discount (until 24 January) they are being offered for £1.19 and £2.39  respectively.

What’s in it?

  • Over 100 unique or rare items: the original version of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, the world’s oldest bible, priceless hand-painted medieval books, Nelson’s battle plan for Trafalgar, sketches by Leonardo, a 1664 plan of New York, ‘The Tyger’ in William Blake’s hand, and many more…
  • Arranged in easy-to-browse sections: Science, History, Music, Literature, Faith and Religions, Maps and Views, Illuminated Manuscripts
  • With highlights from  current major exhibition ‘Evolving English’
  • Audio excerpts and nearly 50 WiFi-served videos from expert curators
  • Plus explorer Ben Fogle talking about Captain Scott’s diary and linguist David Crystal discussing Beowulf.

‘Treasures’ was created by the British Library in partnership with Toura

To buy this app visit the itunes store.

Haven’t got an iPhone yet- buy online webpage

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