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Special Collections

Special Collections

Image of Barker Research Library Search Room
Designated as an Outstanding Collection logo

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Founded in 1833 and occupying listed buildings within the Durham World Heritage site, Durham University's Palace Green Library houses archives, early printed books and other special collections. These include:

  • Over 70,000 books printed before 1850 including 300 incunables
  • Over 100 medieval manuscripts
  • 3,400 metres of archives and artefacts
  • Over 30,000 maps and prints and 100,000 photographs

We are open to anyone needing to consult our collections once they have registered with us. Registration here involves completing a form, providing proofs of identity and agreeing to abide by the Library's rules (please contact us if you require further information on this)

Two of the University Library's special collections were awarded Designated status in 2005 in the first round of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council Designation Scheme.

Events

Everyone's History: 20 years of the Portable Antiquities Scheme and the Treasure Act
Wednesday 25th April 2018 - Friday 25th May 2018, 12:00am - 11:59pm, Museum of Archaeology
THE DLI COLLECTION GALLERY: COURAGE, COMRADES, COMMUNITY
Wednesday 25th April 2018 , 12:00am
Living on the Hills: 10,000 years of Durham
, Wolfson Gallery
May Day
Saturday 28th April 2018 - Sunday 29th April 2018, 1:00pm - 3:00pm, Palace Green Library
Little Bookworms
Monday 30th April 2018, 10:30am - 11:30am, Palace Green Library
Cabinet of Curiosity
Saturday 5th May 2018 - Sunday 6th May 2018, 1:00pm - 3:00pm, Palace Green Library
Beautiful Bookmarks
Saturday 12th May 2018 - Sunday 13th May 2018, 1:00pm - 3:00pm, Palace Green Library
Little Bookworms
Monday 14th May 2018, 10:30am - 11:30am, Palace Green Library
Plumes and Pom Poms!
Saturday 19th May 2018 - Sunday 20th May 2018, 1:00pm - 3:00pm, Palace Green Library
Little Bookworms
Monday 21st May 2018, 10:30am - 11:30am, Palace Green Library
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Contact details

Special Collections
Palace Green Library
Palace Green
DURHAM
DH1 3RN
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)191 334 2972
Email: pg.library@durham.ac.uk