Information for visitors

Building works - 2012

If you are planning to come to Durham to consult our collections, please read the following carefully and contact us if you need any assistance.

October 2012

The Archives and Special Collections search room will be open at 5 The College (in the Cathedral precinct) Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm. Most of our most heavily-used archive collections will be housed there along with our rare books and the modern printed books in Local, History of the Book and PG Ref. Owing to the complexities of moving around 5,000 metres of material it is essential that you contact us well in advance on 0191 3342972 or pg.library@durham.ac.uk in order to avoid delays in gaining access to this research material.
The collections will be returned to Palace Green Library in the winter of 2013 and then the newly refurbished Barker Reading Room will open in the Pace Building providing access to Archives and Special Collections material in an upgraded research library.
Please keep checking the website for details.
This only affects the Palace Green site and not 5 The College. The exhibitions at Palace Green Library will remain open as normal.

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Access

Anyone wishing to consult material in the collections may be admitted, at the Librarian's discretion. Users will be asked to register and to produce proof of their identity, including their permanent address, and are advised to give advance notice of their requirements whenever possible. Search room rules are displayed on site, as well as guidelines for users.

Readers can bring into the Search Room their own notes, pencils, laptops and their own books, within reason. There are lockers available for coats and bags. Food and drink is not permitted in the building.

Getting to Palace Green Library

The picturesque World Heritage Site of Palace Green does add some challenges to reaching us.

Parking is not available on the peninsula or Palace Green. For more information see http://www.dur.ac.uk/travel/todurham/. Information on car parks in the city and the park and ride scheme can also be found on the tourist information website

A local bus service known as the Cathedral Bus runs between the railway station, Market Place and some car parks to and from Palace Green.

 Map of Durham City centre (the Library is the larger building on the west side of Palace Green).

Getting to 5 The College

5 The College is situated in the close on the south side of the cathedral, where the word 'CATHEDRAL' is written on the map at http://www.dur.ac.uk/map/durham/ (the cathedral close at Durham is called The College).  Access is through an archway on North Bailey (the road heading down the peninsula), just before you get to St John's College if coming from the Market Place (number 17 on the map), or alternatively through the Cathedral Cloisters (exit the Cloisters at south-east corner, diagonally opposite the entrance from the Cathedral).  Number 5 is at the left side of the main terrace of houses, ring door bell for access.  It is advisable to contact us in advance of your first visit to confirm availability of the material you wish to consult. There is no car parking available in the College at any time.

Accommodation

Accommodation for visitors to the department is sometimes available in University colleges, especially during vacations. A list of college addresses and telephone numbers is available on request. See also the University's web page. Information is also available on travelling to Durham.