At the end of October 2023, the British Library was subject to a major cyber-attack, which disrupted access to electronic Legal Deposit (eLD) content. A large-scale exercise was subsequently undertaken to check the integrity of the vast core eLD dataset. This led to the development of a new secure interface for accessing eLD content collected prior to October 2023 (excluding the UK Web Archive, which remains unavailable).
The ELD SOLO Browser 
is an interim solution with limited functionality; for example, some of the tools and icons do not work properly.
Restoring access was deemed necessary despite these shortcomings. Fortunately, a project is underway to develop an improved version of the player. More information will be shared in due course.
What electronic Legal Deposit material is available to view?
What is covered by electronic Legal Deposit?
Will there be a print copy available as well?
What is the lifespan of electronic Legal Deposit material?
What electronic Legal Deposit material is available to view?
Only eLD material received prior to the British Library cyber-attack in October 2023 is available to view via the ELD SOLO Browser situated on Bodleian Libraries terminals.
What is covered by electronic Legal Deposit?
Although the new legislation came into force in April 2013, this does not mean that the Bodleian Libraries have every ebook and every ejournal published since that date. In fact the Legal Deposit Act 2003 entitles the Bodleian Libraries and the other Legal Deposit Libraries to either a print OR an electronic copy of every item published in the UK but not to both. In practice this means that we will continue to receive printed items from many publishers for some years to come. Meanwhile other publishers have already started to deposit material with us electronically and we no longer receive their output in print.
Will there be a print copy available as well?
The Legal Deposit Act 2003 entitles the Bodleian Libraries and the other Legal Deposit Libraries to either a print OR an electronic copy of every item published in the UK but not to both. In practice this means that we will continue to receive printed items from many publishers for some years to come. Subject librarians may also choose to purchase a copy of the item in print.
What is the lifespan of electronic Legal Deposit material?
It is the aim of the Legal Deposit Libraries to preserve all printed and electronic Legal deposit collections and make them available in perpetuity. As time goes on and current technologies are superseded, content may have to be migrated to different formats to ensure that it remains accessible. Alternatively copies of relevant software will be retained to ensure continued access. To this end the British Library has a digital preservation department who specifically looks at the long-term preservation and access to digital content.
eLD content is only available for material collected prior to the October 2023 cyber-attack. If you require material that was published post October 2023 please see below for alternative resources.