Nature Notes from the Reading Rooms

27 May 2016

Nature Notes from the Reading Rooms

If you’ve used the Reading Rooms here at the Library in the last few weeks, you may have heard some peculiar noises. Library Assistant Gary Butler explains all…

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The Curious Case of the Changeling Chairs

13 May 2016

The Curious Case of the Changeling Chairs

Spring is a time of change and natural miracles. Just to walk around Hawarden is to be faced with ample evidence of this: the leaves are new-green, lambs hop in the fields, and country strolls frequently feature herds of cows who enjoy slobbering on my hands and terrorising my taurophobic co-worker.

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Guest blog: Writing Echo Hall at Gladstone's Library

21 March 2016

Guest blog: Writing Echo Hall at Gladstone's Library

I first heard about Gladstone’s Library in 2011 when I picked up a leaflet at the Hay Festival. I am a huge fan of William Gladstone, a Prime Minister who, for all his failings, really tried to improve the lot of ordinary people. So I was delighted to discover his library existed, and furthermore that it was possible to stay there. I was in the midst of writing my novel Echo Hall at the time and the idea of a writing retreat at Hawarden was very tempting. But, it’s a long way from Oxford and being a busy working parent it wasn’t until 2013 that I finally managed to make the trip.

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Requesting items through the online catalogue: a 'how to' guide

22 January 2016

Requesting items through the online catalogue: a 'how to' guide

We’ve put together a step-by-step guide to show you just how easy it is for Readers and Friends of the Library to request items from the comfort of their own home by using the online catalogue!

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A polite notice to budding photographers

23 October 2015

A polite notice to budding photographers

A quick note to anyone planning on taking pictures in the Library 

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Salley Vickers talks inspiration and style in another SOLD OUT Writers in Residence event

14 August 2015

Salley Vickers talks inspiration and style in another SOLD OUT Writers in Residence event

‘A short story is like a love affair’ – Salley Vickers describes her latest published work, The Boy Who Could See Death, remarking on the difference between her many novels and her latest collection of short stories. For the lucky people who find themselves in front of the phenomenally successful author on Tuesday night, it proves to be a moving and insightful evening with discussion ranging from Salley’s childhood memories of Venice to her experiences as a psycho-analytical specialist.

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Founder's Day 2015 - watch the video

24 July 2015

Founder's Day 2015 - watch the video

Loyd Grossman takes the chair for our Annual Gladstone Lecture as our multi-talented panel discuss whether the Library currently demonstrates the same enthusiasm for spirituality, literary culture and political discourse as the Grand Old Man himself.

Our panellists answer the question ‘Does the Library remain truly ‘Gladstonian’ today?

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Theologian in Residence: Justin Lewis-Anthony reflects on his longest visit yet.

10 July 2015

Theologian in Residence: Justin Lewis-Anthony reflects on his longest visit yet.

Monday 29th June 2015, Gladstone’s Library

The Rev. Justin Lewis-Anthony, Ph. D., is currently the Associate Dean of Students and Director of Anglican Studies at Virginia Theological Seminary, where he joined in August 2013. He is also a regular contributor on church and state matters for The Guardian newspaper.

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Founder's Day 2015: Discussing Religion and the Pursuit of Divine Learning

8 July 2015

Founder's Day 2015: Discussing Religion and the Pursuit of Divine Learning

Work Experience student Tesni Jones reports on the theological and spiritual section of Monday’s debate.

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In Conversation with the Chair of Trustees, Michael Wheeler

3 July 2015

In Conversation with the Chair of Trustees, Michael Wheeler

Last month Gladstone’s Library welcomed in its new Chair of Trustees, Professor Michael Wheeler.

Just after his first Management Committee as Chairman, we talked to Michael to find out about his background, his involvement with the library over time and to get his first words as the new Chair “who just happens to have been around here for four decades…”

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