Old Library Preservation Project

The Old Library is one of Ireland and Trinity College Dublin’s most important buildings, and is the repository for the Library’s treasures, including medieval Irish Manuscripts such as the Book of Kells.  It functions as a storage area, a display venue, and a research facility for early printed books, manuscripts and college archives. It is also open to the public seven days per week, and is one of the most popular visitor attractions in the country, as well as one of the great research libraries of the world.

Due to the value and the condition of the collections in the Old Library, the Preservation and Conservation Department has focused on its needs, and a large proportion of staff time is given to activities concerning the heritage collections housed in the building.

In the past few years the Department has been investigating a number of problems including high particulate pollution levels, and other environmental hazards in the Old Library, which are seriously compromising the preservation of the collections. The department is collaborating with science departments in College on an analysis of the pollution - its content, sources, and levels. For further information view Study of Old Library Dust.

The Library has recently established a number of strategic initiatives to look at various elements of the preservation of the Old Library Building, and the Old library collections, including:

• A preservation assessment survey of collections
• A full structural survey of the Old Library to determine the condition of the building and to identify weaknesses and hazards
• A full building performance review to determine the status of all internal services, and the environmental conditions
• A future plan for improved exhibitions and Visitor services, and for improved facilities for researchers and staff
• A plan for repair, remediation and preservation based on the outcome of the structure and performance review, to provide an improved environment for long-term storage and access to the collection

The investigations have been supported by funding grants from the Heritage Council, and from the Getty Foundation.