The Old Library at Christ’s College dates from our foundation in 1505, with John Fisher, Lady Margaret Beaufort’s confessor, beginning a tradition of donating books that has continued throughout the centuries. As a result, its collections today number some 50,000 rare manuscripts and printed books covering a wide variety of languages, historical periods, and subject areas.

As custodian of this remarkable heritage, the College continues to protect and curate this valuable content for future generations. Its efforts include a major ongoing conservation programme, with two main objectives:

- Expert restoration of books, manuscripts and documents

- Long-term custodianship to ensure optimum conditions for preservation of the Library and Archives collections.

By making a gift to the Old Library, you will be ensuring the continuation of this important work. A regular donation from as little as £10 a month, with Gift Aid, would alone cover specialist conservation work, such as the cleaning of book bindings, supporting of spines and covers, or repairs to fly-leaves of books and manuscripts from as far back as the 16th Century.

To be kept informed about what is going on at the library, please do consider becoming a Friend of the Old Library.

Please note that the Old Library is currently closed to visitors whilst major building works are carried out in College.