Adopt a Book

The library has been an integral part of Lincoln Cathedral from the earliest years of its history.

Two libraries, one focus

The 1422 Medieval Library was originally a chained library. Although the books are no longer chained, three medieval desks and one bench survive in a room which retains its original oak roof with angel supporters and carved bosses.  The Medieval Library is used to display manuscripts.

The magnificent Wren Library, commissioned by Dean Michael Honywood and completed in 1676, houses part of the collection of early printed books.  From spring to autumn, rare books are on display here.

The focus of the library is education: lectures, study days, readings taken from the rare books, and early music concerts all take place here. The Reading Room, built in 1914, is open regularly for use by students. All this costs money, as does the day to day care of the collection.

The Lincoln Cathedral Mediaeval and Wren Libraries are home to a collection of 10,000 rare books and 260 mediaeval manuscripts.  A common misconception is that the Library contains only religious books.  Actually a wide range of subjects are represented.  The books range from poetry to the study of sundials; from atlases to scientific works; from travel and antiquities to the part books of the composer William Byrd, one-time Lincoln Cathedral organist and Master of the Choristers.  The oldest manuscript, a copy of the sermons of the Venerable Bede, was made in the late tenth century.  It may have been have been brought to Lincoln by Bishop Remigius, who started building the Cathedral in 1072.

The collection presents an outstanding educational opportunity for school children.  It is a place where history comes to life and offers a memorable learning experience.

ADOPT A BOOK

Support the work through Adopting a Book and you too can become part of the Cathedral archive.  A bookplate will be added to the inside cover of the book that is adopted on your behalf, with a dedication of your own choosing.  You will be sent a copy of the bookplate and a photograph of the book in a mounted card.

Important: Once payment has been completed please click to be returned to our website. You can enter your gift information once you are returned to the Lincoln Cathedral site.

You can also Adopt a Book in person by contacting the

Fund Development Office
4 Priorygate
Lincoln
LN2 1PL
T: 01522 561614
E: fundraising@lincolncathedral.com

To find out about other ways of giving, follow this LINK.