Historic Libraries & Archives at Palace Green Library
Lying at the heart of the World Heritage Site between the Castle and the Cathedral, Palace Green Library and its collections have, since the middle of the 17th century, represented the best of humanity’s thirst for knowledge and understanding.
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Plan Your Visit
Find out everything you need to know to get the most from our visit: how to find us, opening times and more. Plus, everything you need to know if you or anyone in your group has any special needs or requirements.
History of the collections
Find out more about how our collections were created and found their way to the University.
Bishop Cosin and his Library
Innovative, revolutionary and ambitious; perhaps not traits many associate with librarians, but John Cosin, Bishop of Durham, was all of these.
Sharp Family of Bamburgh
An extraordinary family of clergymen, politicians, lawyers, surgeons, industrialists, and philanthropists who created the Bamburgh Library.
Martin Routh
Before the University was gifted Cosin’s Library, Routh’s collection of 15,000 volumes was its most significant early printed book collection.
Palace Green Library is actually a series of building dating from the 15th century, such an evocative stone built building, most definitely well worth checking out if you're in the area and easy to locate along Palace Green.
Neil K
Liverpool
Architecture
Palace Green Library is not one, but a collection of buildings. Explore the story of the evolution of the site and the buildings.
Using our collections
We welcome anyone who wishes to study our collections. Find out more about searching our collections online and how to make a research appointment.
Nearby attractions
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1 Minute Walk
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Durham World Heritage Site Visitor Centre
Find out everything you need to know to make the most of your visit to Durham.
Durham Castle
Sitting at the heart of Durham's World Heritage Site and occupied continuously since the 11th century.
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