The British Library is giving the public a chance to download rare first edition copies of some of William Shakespeare’s most famous plays.
Marking 400 years since the Bard’s death, the “digital library” comprises specially-designed wallpaper featuring virtual bookshelves.
On the spines and covers of the “books” will be a QR code, which people can scan with their smartphone to download a copy of one of the quartos – the pamphlets of Shakespeare’s plays that were first printed in 1594.
Among the 14 original works that are being made available are Romeo & Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Hamlet.
The “digital library” will tour cities and rural locations around the country, starting on Saturday in Trafalgar Square, where it will be part of the Feast of St George celebrations. It will then be taken to other countries around the world, including Albania, Qatar and the Czech Republic.
As well as the tour, families, schools and young people across the country will get a chance to win one of 400 rolls of the digital wallpaper.
“The look of the Digital Library is inspired by the shelving of the iconic King’s Library Tower, a tall glass structure at the heart of the British Library building,” said Adrian Edwards, head of Printed Heritage Collections at the British Library. “This extraordinary collection includes a number of Shakespeare’s original quartos held by the Library containing the earliest record of some of his most famous plays.
“The quartos were designed to be read by the broadest possible audience, and so it is extremely fitting to share them digitally in the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death.”
A study, released this week, also found people abroad had a greater appreciation for the poet.
The YouGov poll found countries including India and China have significantly higher appreciation for the Bard than his British homeland.
source:telegraph