UWTSD Roderic Bowen Library’s Special Collections set to take part in CADW’s Open Doors Festival.

The University of Wales Trinity Saint David is pleased to announce that the Roderic Bowen Library and Archives at Lampeter, housing the university’s special collections,  will be taking part in CADW’s Open Doors Festival.

The event, held between 12:00pm – 4:00pm on Saturday, September 28th is part of an annual festival organised by CADW. It showcases more than 200 Welsh historical sites, landmarks and hidden gems to the wider public, where heritage organisations, private owners, local authorities and others are encouraged to open their doors.

Lampeter’s Special Collections hold a nationally important collection of 35 000 historic volumes, including eight medieval manuscripts and 69 books printed before 1500.

During the event, a selection of the most interesting items in the library will be on display. These will include the 1279 manuscript of the Latin Bible, previously belonging to Bishop Thomas Burgess; two 15th century books of hours; several volumes printed pre-1500, some of them hand-illustrated; a selection of early atlases; a variety of 16th to 18th century natural history books, including the beautiful first edition of Thomas Pennant’s British zoology; and a mixture of Welsh-interest volumes.  The exhibition will also feature some interesting material from the college archives.

Siân Collins,  Head of Special Collections and Archives at UWTSD said:

“We are very excited to once again share some of our amazing treasures with the wider community through Open Doors 2024. We hope to inspire curiosity and excitement – and encourage visitors to return and find out more!”

Alison Harding, UWTSD’s Executive Head of Library and Learning Resources added:

“It’s wonderful to be able to open our Special Collections and Archives again this year as part of the 2024 CADW Open Doors programme.

“We are very mindful of our key role in the cultural and heritage landscape of Wales, so it is hugely important to ensure these collections continue to be accessible to communities beyond that of the University. I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank colleagues from the Special Collections and Archives team for working to ensure our continued participation in this significant programme possible.”

For more information regarding the Open Doors Festival held at the Library please contact: r.gooding@uwtsd.ac.uk