Catholic library finds a home

The Catholic National Library (CNL) has moved into a permanent home at Durham University, putting an end to years of doubt over its future, writes Rose Gamble.

The library, which was founded in 1912, contains within its collection more than 70,000 books, pamphlets and periodicals. In 1997 it was forced to move from Victoria in London to St Michael’s Abbey, in Farnborough, Hampshire.

Following 18 months of discussion, an agreement was reached last month between the CNL’s trustees and Durham University.

The secretary of the CNL trustees, Antony Tyler, said that the move was the best possible permanent solution, adding: “We were hoping to have our own premises in London but our resources were not sufficient to stretch to that.”

Professor Eamon Duffy, professor emeritus of the history of Christianity at Cambridge University, described the collection as unique and of national importance, saying: “Their assimilation into a great university library will secure their survival.” As part of the agreement with Durham University, duplicate volumes will be offered to Stonyhurst College, Lancashire, and the School of the Annunciation at Buckfast Abbey in Devon.