Lambeth Palace Library is seeking to share its resources and expertise with the cathedral world. The scheme, funded by the Church Commissioners, offers ways in which we can work with archives and libraries in English Anglican cathedrals to mutual benefit. Current activity under this project includes:
- Cathedral Preservation Site Visits
- Cathedral Libraries Catalogue vol. 2 facilitation
- Copyright Training
Please see below for further information on each initiative. If you have any questions, please contact archives@churchofengland.org
Cathedral Preservation Site Visits
The Programme
As part of our work to foster collaboration between Lambeth Palace Library and cathedral archives and libraries, we are offering site visits to advise on collection care. Visits are carried out by experienced conservators from Lambeth. Each cathedral may apply for one visit per application round, but may reapply with further projects in subsequent rounds. As capacity is limited, the application process is competitive. Priority may be given to applications from cathedrals who have not previously had a successful project application.
The programme is funded by the Church Commissioners and aims to share best practice to the mutual benefit of cathedrals and Lambeth Palace Library. We aim to continue the programme with biannual application rounds depending on demand.
What can cathedrals expect from the programme?
If your project application is successful, a member of Lambeth’s Collections Care team will visit your cathedral to provide expert advice on one of the following areas, as selected by the cathedral:
- Storage Environmental Review
- Collection Condition Survey
- Condition report on a single item or handful of related items
- Salvage Planning
- Exhibition Space Review
During the visit, we’ll discuss the work with those responsible for looking after the library or archive collection, and review the relevant materials or premises. Afterwards, you will receive a written report with suggested next steps. This report could, for example, help you:
- plan future budgets
- apply for external funding (such as from the National Manuscripts Conservation Trust)
- commission conservation services
- shape future strategy.
If you would like to discuss an application before submission, please contact us via archives@churchofengland.org.
Timeframe
Applications will open six weeks prior to the Spring or Autumn deadline. Applications will be assessed and cathedrals notified of the outcome within four weeks of the deadline. Site visits are expected to take place within six months of notification of a successful application, at a mutually convenient time.
Assessment Criteria
Assessment will be based on:
- the uses the cathedral intends to make of the report
- material vulnerability of the collection or item(s)
- significance of the item(s)
Review Process
Applications will be kept confidential and reviewed by a panel of colleagues with relevant expertise from Lambeth Palace Library and the Church Commissioners’ Cathedral and Church Buildings Department. Feedback will be provided on all applications.
Eligibility
- The scheme is open to Anglican cathedrals in England.
- The advice sought through the application must fall within Lambeth Palace Library’s area of expertise, namely, archive and library collections (e.g. printed books and documentary heritage such as manuscripts, maps, photographs). Digital media are excluded from this scheme, as are object collections (such as stained glass, masonry, plate or vestments).
- The cathedral must provide, or plan to provide, reasonable public access to the material on which the visit focusses. This can be online access, or by supplying copies on request, if physical access is infeasible.
Available services
Cathedrals may apply for one of the following services:
- A review of storage environment
Collection storage environments are an important aspect in collection long term preservation. Temperature, relative humidity, light and pests are all causes of deterioration.
Lambeth Palace Library can complete a spot collection survey, analyse your collection storage environment and pest management regime and make recommendations to support improvements. The requirements of your collection will be discussed, and set in the context of sector standards
2. A condition report on a single item or handful of related items
A condition report for a single or small number of library or archive items can provide you with a plan and estimate of time required to bid for funding, or directly commission conservation, including cleaning, treatment and repackaging*.
3. Overall collection condition survey
Collection condition surveys can be used to advise on preservation approaches for storage improvement, e.g. boxing, digitisation preparation or commissioning conservation work along with supporting funding bids for any of the stated activities.
Our analysis and report, based on a sample of your collection, can help you understand the implications for collection use, imaging or long-term storage.
4. Advice on salvage planning
Following a site visit, including a discussion on existing emergency planning, we can develop a report with recommendations for mitigating risks, taking disaster planning actions, and completing a salvage plan.
5. A review of exhibition space or proposals
Exhibition and display can be an important aspect to collection accessibility. Temperature, relative humidity, light exposure and security are all important factors in ensuring items will be safe while they are displayed.
We can complete a spot survey and assess your current or future display area referring to quality standards from organisations like UK Registrars Group and ACE.
If you are not sure whether your project falls within one of the categories above, please do get in touch to discuss before submitting an application.
Current application round opens: 26 June 2025
Deadline for applications: 4 September 2025
An application form can be requested by emailing: archives@churchofengland.org.
Copyright training
Lambeth Palace Library will be arranging a copyright training course for English Anglican cathedrals in the autumn of 2025. This will be delivered by external consultants at Lambeth. It will be free for eligible cathedrals to attend.
Further details will be circulated and posted here in due course. If you would like to be notified of updates, please email archives@churchofengland.org
Cathedral Libraries Catalogue
The Cathedral Libraries Catalogue, vol. 2 (Books printed on the continent of Europe, before 1701 in the libraries of the Anglican cathedrals of England and Wales), is currently available via the Heritage of the Printed Book Database and Library Hub Discover. The Bibliographical Society is now offering to provide cathedrals with the MARC files of the catalogue entries relevant to their institution, via Lambeth. This may be beneficial to cathedrals that have a catalogue in a digital form (i.e. database or spreadsheet), but who have not yet included entries for their pre-1701 continental books.
The files are being made available freely, and Lambeth Palace Library is willing to offer assistance in the manipulation and ingest of the data, potentially through an online workshop.
For more information, please contact archives@churchofengland.org
Project update, June 2025
