Preventing what is called ‘the black out of the mind’

17 April 2018

Preventing what is called ‘the black out of the mind’

Before World War II, when the library was only 30 years old, Alec Vidler, the then Warden of St Deiniol’s Library, was preparing for a ‘decrease in the number of ordinary visitors’, which he called ‘inevitable’ is his 1938 report to the board of trustees.

…
Beware the Ides of March

15 March 2018

Beware the Ides of March

Beware the Ides of March; a saying that can often be heard around this time. But why? Why are we warned to ‘beware the Ides of March’ and what is the story behind it?

…
Making the most of your visit to Gladstone’s Library

7 March 2018

Making the most of your visit to Gladstone’s Library

So, you’re visiting Gladstone’s Library for the first time, fantastic! What’s the plan?

We recommend arriving around 11am. Our on-site café and bistro Food for Thought is open to the public (10am – 5pm), and a nice hot cup of coffee is the perfect start to your day.

…
Writing the Revolution

23 February 2018

Writing the Revolution

In this blog, intern Alex Locke writes about our latest History Room display for the month of March. The display focuses on how our collections at Gladstone’s Library – some on display for the first time – can help illustrate one of the most tumultuous events in Western history – the French Revolution. Read on to find out more about how the printed word played a part in this extraordinary event, and how its influence impacted Gladstone’s time as much as our own… 

…
The reader behind the book - a look at marginalia

18 January 2018

The reader behind the book - a look at marginalia

Library Intern Katie Ruffley has curated this month’s display which is on W.E. Gladstone’s habit of marginalia, or writing in books. In this blog, Katie discusses some of the difficulties faced when trying to create a display about books – as well as the contentiousness of whether to write, or not to write, in the margins…

…
Gladstone's library of forking paths

18 January 2018

Gladstone's library of forking paths

In this blog, library intern Carla Manfredino considers the library used by one of her favourite writers, Argentine author and librarian Jorge Luis Borges, and asks how many of those books could be found on the shelves here in Hawarden… 

…
Christmas reading recommends from the Gladstone's Library team!

15 December 2017

Christmas reading recommends from the Gladstone's Library team!

Gifting the perfect book to a person is one of the great joys of life; creating a perfect partnership which you can just feel in your bones will last.

With that in mind and as a little Christmas treat, the Gladstone’s Library team have gathered together some of our books of the year and reading recommends perfect for stockings. If you are still looking for that perfect gift for someone special, we hope you can find inspiration within this guide! 

…
Gladstone, Hallam & Tennyson

13 December 2017

Gladstone, Hallam & Tennyson

Following Sarah Perry’s Gladstone Lecture on the subject of Gladstone, Hallam & Tennyson and the Idea of Friendship back in November, Intern Carla Manfredino ruminates on the close alliances between the three…

…
A weird and wonderful Welsh Christmas!

6 December 2017

A weird and wonderful Welsh Christmas!

Every month the library team curates a new display for visitors and everyone who uses the library, highlighting the many wonderful collections we have on our shelves. This month, Intern Elspeth Brodie-Browne reflects on our final display of 2017, co-curated with Intern Katie Ruffley, all about the many Christmas traditions here in Wales… 

…
Germaine de Stael: The First Modern Woman

8 November 2017

Germaine de Stael: The First Modern Woman

Every month the library team curates a new display for visitors and everyone who uses the library, highlighting the many wonderful collections we have on our shelves. This month, Intern Elspeth Brodie-Browne has put together an exhibit on one of the great figures of the French Revolutionary period, who died 200 years ago…

…