The library is currently undertaking a long-tem project to clean and repair some of its older stock.

Following a training day with a book conservator in May, about 20 volunteers from NADFAS (the National Decorative and Fine Arts Society) are generously giving their time to work in teams on the antiquarian books.

Sarum College Library has about 6,000 books in need of care, and the volunteers are initially cleaning these, working painstakingly with shaving brushes to remove years of dust. The next step, late autumn, will be another training day on repairs.

The oldest book is a Bible dated 1545, and there are a number of others from the 17th and 18th centuries, the rest being from the 19th century. Some of the books relate to Salisbury Cathedral, and there are books of interest to the general local historian, as well as to students and researchers in theology. Once the books have been cleaned and repaired, it is hoped to encourage researchers to come and use them.

Note : This article will be expanded later this year with news of the restoration, photographs of the books and the work being done.