Wren Library Repairs
Project: Wren Library Ceiling Repairs & Refurbishment
Details: Emergency repairs to the roof trusses and refurbishment
Estimated Full Project Cost: Circa £1,088,000
Duration: Spring 2022 to Spring 2026
Why is the Wren Library Special?
The 17th century Wren Library was designed by the great Sir Christopher Wren under commission from Dean Michael Honywood, who paid for it to house his extensive collection of early printed books. These now make up approximately half of the Cathedral’s collection. The Wren Library is one of only two libraries designed by Christopher Wren outside of the capital city, the other larger example being at Trinity College, Cambridge. This in itself makes the Wren Library at Lincoln Cathedral incredibly special.
What has happened to the Wren Library?
- On inspection in 2022, eight of the nine roof trusses were found to have split through causing the ceiling to be at risk.
- The environmental management system has reached the end of its functioning life and needs replacing.
- The existing Wren Library Floor/Celling of the North Cloister is trapping moisture in the library and is negatively impacting the floor joists as well as the internal environment, so needs to be remedied.
So far, the Cathedral has spent around £250,000 securing the Wren Library ceiling, and it’s estimated that around a further £838,000 will need to be spent to complete the project. As of May 2025, with about £637,000 from the Cathedral’s reserve that expends all the available funds in the Library Fund, there is currently a shortfall of around £193,000 that is needed to complete this essential work and get the library re-opened, which has been closed since April 2022.
I’d Like to Donate!
Thank you for your support! To ensure every penny of your donation goes towards the Wren Library repairs project, please consider selecting the option to cover the transaction fees.
If you are a UK income taxpayer, please remember to apply Gift Aid to your donation!
What has been achieved so far?
Steel Framework
So far the Cathedral has managed to secure the ceiling of the Wren Library. New steel framework has been designed, fabricated and installed into the celling. The steel frame supports the roof joists, and redistributes the weight through the frame to the external walls of the Wren Library. Once the team are happy no further interventions are required, the reinstatement of the plaster ceiling in the Wren Library can begin.
Preparation for Additional Work
The whole of the Wren Library envelope has been extensively reviewed. This has revealed additional issues including those below.
What still needs to be done?
Wren Library Internal
- Specialist replastering of the internal Wren Library ceiling
- Purchase and installation of environmental monitoring system
Wren Library Floor/North Cloister Ceiling
- Removal of existing plasterwork
- Removal of previously installed plastic barrier guard sheeting
- Removal and replacement of existing insulation to enhance environmental sustainability
- Work to protect the wooden joists and minimise risk of future water penetration
- Installation of ducting and electrics for future installation of lighting in the area
- Replastering of North Cloister ceiling
How can I help?
All donations in support of this project are warmly welcomed. The Wren Library is in itself one of the treasures of Lincoln Cathedral. Every single donation will help in enabling us to meet the unexpected work to the Wren Library ceiling.
By clicking on any of the ‘I’d like to donate…’ buttons on this page, you can make a donation to this important project, helping to repair and reinstate the Wren Library both for the return of the books, but importantly enabling people to once again enjoy visiting this exquisite space.
Lincoln Cathedral is a registered charity, and contrary to popular thought, does not receive routine funding from central government or the Church of England to support the conservation and repair of the building.
Every donation received directly helps to support our shared heritage. Heritage is important because it connects us as people in the modern world with those who have gone before, sharing a common appreciation of the beauty and history encapsulated in a building such as the Wren Library.
I’d like to donate
£35
A donation of £35 is roughly the equivalent cost for packing and storage of five of the Wren Library’s 5,026 Historic Books in climate controlled conditions during the repair and refurbishment project.*
I’d like to donate
£100
A donation of £100 would cover the cost of one of our highly skilled heritage joiners working on the Wren Library for around half a day.*
I’d like to donate
£350
Approximately 100 donations of £350 would help cover the cost of the new environmental management system, essential for protecting the books when they return.*
I’d Like to Donate!
Thank you for your support! To ensure every penny of your donation goes towards the Wren Library repairs project, please consider selecting the option to cover the transaction fees.
If you are a UK income taxpayer, please remember to apply Gift Aid to your donation!
Other ways to donate
Cheque
If you would prefer to donate by cheque, please make payable to ‘Lincoln Cathedral Library Fund’ and post FAO Amber Hardy to: Lincoln Cathedral Chapter Office, FREEPOST, 28 Eastgate, Lincoln, LN2 1BR.
Alternatively, you can donate by bank transfer to:
Bank Transfer
You can donate to this project by bank transfer. Please use the details below, and let us know by email to: amber.hardy@lincolncathedral.com, or by calling 01522 561613 so we can say thank you!
Account Name: Lincoln Cathedral Library Fund
Sort Code: 60-13-15
Account Number: 05606063
Bespoke Giving
If you are looking to support the Wren Library with a large donation, pledge, or grant, we can happily discuss your requirements and match you to the right aspect of the project, as well as discuss appropriate acknowledgement.
Your personal contact for Bespoke Giving is Matthew Tarling, Fundraising Manager. He can be contacted direct by email to matthew.tarling@lincolncathedral.com, or by calling 01522 561614.
Thank you for your support!
Acknowledgements
In addition to donations from private individuals, The Dean and Chapter of Lincoln Cathedral kindly acknowledge all the following generous supporters of this project, which include:
The Baronial Order of the Magna Charta
The Dean and Chapter are grateful to The Baronial Order of the Magna Charta for their generous grant of $12,000 to the Wren Library repairs.
January 2025
The Worshipful Company of Grocers
The Dean and Chapter are grateful to the Trustees of The Worshipful Company of Grocers’ Charity for their generous grant of £5,000 to the Wren Library repairs.
January 2024
The Baronial Order of the Magna Charta
The Dean and Chapter are grateful to The Baronial Order of the Magna Charta for their generous grant of $7,000 to the Wren Library repairs.
December 2023
About the Wren Library
Why not take a look at the video and see what the Wren Library was like before its closure.
NOTES
*examples are indicative, and all donations are applied to the Wren Library project without restriction.
Any donations received that are in excess of the total project cost will be retained within the Lincoln Cathedral Library Fund and applied to the ongoing conservation and repair of the historic printed books, as well as medieval manuscripts.