Friends of Palace Green Library
For many Durham graduates Palace Green Library was "the University Library", before the more modern Bill Bryson Library was constructed in the early 1980s. Situated on Palace Green and part of the Durham World Heritage Site, Palace Green Library is currently being transformed into a very special home for the University’s internationally renowned archive and rare book collections. A four-year redevelopment programme is also helping to create new and exciting exhibition, conservation and outreach facilities that will allow the University to share many of its treasures, collected over two centuries, with the wider community whilst contributing to the research and education imperatives of the University.
In July 2013 the Lindisfarne Gospels return to Durham and will be displayed for three months in Palace Green Library. They will be joined by the St Cuthbert Gospel, recently purchased by the British Library, and the Durham Gospels, on loan from Durham Cathedral, reuniting three iconic medieval Durham manuscripts for the period of the exhibition. The various buildings which make up Palace Green Library span almost six centuries, ranging from the 1450 Exchequer Building through Bishop Cosin’s 1669 Library to the 1966 Pace Building. The buildings and collections together make Palace Green Library a unique place within the University, Durham and the North East of England.
Our Vision
Established in 2012, the Friends of Palace Green Library seeks to support the research, scholarship and outreach activities of Palace Green Library by:
- Promoting the reputation of the Library and encouraging interest in its buildings, collections and exhibitions
- Supporting the Library in its acquisition of rare books, manuscripts and other valuable items
- Acting as a channel for the gift of books and manuscripts to enhance the Library’s Special Collections
- Supporting the conservation of the Library’s unique collection of rare books and documents
- Facilitating the learning and research mission of the Library by the organisation of scholarly activities including a lecture programme
Our Vision for the Future 
Events
Programme of Events for 2013
NEXT EVENT: DURHAM UNIVERSITY -- THE NEW AND THE OLD
Thursday, 6 June 2013, 4.30-7.00 pm in the Palace Green Library
A chance for Friends to view the newly-refurbished Pace Building, including the new reading room, strong rooms and staff areas. In addition, there will be a display of some of the interesting things (not just documents) that have made their way into the University archive and will include a short film made in the early 1960s of a day in the life of a Durham student. If you are a former student or member of staff, we hope you might bring along any photographs or other mementoes that will shed light on life in the University in your time. We hope that you would consider allowing us to take copies of photographs etc., as we will have a camera and scanners on hand. Meet up at Palace Green Reception.
Light refreshments will be served in the Deane Room. Please confirm your attendance to pg.friends@durham.ac.uk or telephone 0191 334 2932.
Membership
of the Friends of Palace Green Library brings you:
- the opportunity to participate in an annual programme of events such as lectures, visits, displays of Special Collections material and invitations to Gallery opening events
- a regular newsletter containing details of recent purchases made possible by the Friends, announcements and reports on Friends activities and news about the Library generally
- a chance to contribute to the work of Palace Green Library and support its collections
- 10% discount off all purchases from the Palace Green Library shop
Annual Membership
Single £20
Joint (two people at one address) £30
Life membership £500
Membership leaflets are available here , at the University Libraries, or by contacting us directly.
Online Payments
can be made at https://www.dunelm.org.uk/sslpage.aspx?pid=987Please select the Gift Amount 'Other' and type the amount [20, 30 or 500] for the membership type you have chosen.
Under 'Designation' select 'Other' and in the text box that appears, please type 'Friends of Palace Green Library Single/Joint/Life Membership', as appropriate.
When you are taken to the payment options screen, select ‘One time gift’.
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