Information for visitors

Building works - 2012

The next phase of building works at Palace Green Library has now started. This will see the storage and conservation facilities enhanced and should be completed by the end of July 2012. We intend to maintain services to readers as far as possible, however, there will be some noise and possibly occasional disruption to access to both some of the collections and even to the building itself.
There will be further building works starting in October 2012 which will necessitate transferring further collections from Palace Green to 5 The College. We are intending to maintain access to all our collections as far as possible throughout all these moves and works, but if you are intending to use Special Collections during 2012 and 2013, please contact us beforehand on 0191 3342972 or pg.library@durham.ac.uk to ascertain where you might need to go and whether there might be any temporary restrictions in place.
Please keep checking the website for details.
This only affects the Palace Green site and not 5 The College. The Treasures exhibition at Palace Green will remain open.

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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.  Note that opening hours are limited and appointments are always required for visiting this building .  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.