135 Appeal - Sponsoring a Book
Thank you very much for your interest in sponsoring a book as part of the William Salt Library's 135 Appeal.
The list of books available for sponsorship can be found via the link at the bottom of this page. This has been carefully selected on the following basis: firstly to include some of the volumes which are most heavily used by visitors to the Library and therefore in much need of conservation; secondly to include a wide range of subjects, reflecting the content of the Library's collections; thirdly to include publication dates over four centuries; and finally to provide a wide variety of style of books.
The list is arranged by category. There is a physical description of each book and of the damage to it. There is also a suggested donation level. This is based on the degree of damage and the assessment of conservation work required.
Our aim is to conserve a part of the Library's huge collection of printed books, not to restore the books. Conservation is not restoration. In other words, once the conservation treatment has been carried out, the books will not look like new. Conservation ensures that the book will not deteriorate further and that it can be safely used by the public without fear of further damage. Conservation also preserves the intrinsic character of each book so that, for example, the special features of a 17th or 18th century binding can still be appreciated and not lost by an insensitive, modern re-binding.
The conservation process is not a speedy one and it will not be carried out on site. The books will be sent away to specialist book conservators who will deal with each book using time-honoured craft skills. So, as we will be working to their time frame, it may be a number of months before we write to tell you that work on your chosen book has been completed. Once the book is returned to us, we will place a book plate inside it which records your name and you will receive a certificate.
As books are sponsored we will be deleting them from the list available on this website. Please note that it is very much a case of 'first come, first served', so that your choice may not necessarily be available when we receive your completed request. It is therefore really important that you make your wishes known clearly on the accompanying form. You may wish to sponsor a book with someone else or as a local organisation or society. If so, please indicate this on the return form so that we can ensure that the bookplate records the details accurately.
Thank you again for your interest. We hope that you will find a title to reflect your particular interests. The Library's book collection is an outstanding part of our local, regional and national heritage and we are grateful for your support in helping to preserve it for the future.
Books available for sponsorship|
Sponsorship Form download page|
Thea Randall
William Salt Librarian
-
-
-
-