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Become a Friend of the Library
Become a Friend of the Library
We hope that you enjoy using our facilities and will consider supporting our work - and securing the future of St Deiniol's - by becoming a Friend of St Deiniol’s Library.
Despite attracting more people than ever before, the last two years have posed severe economic challenges to St Deiniol’s Library. We, like many institutions, have had to cut costs and return to our core values. Hard decisions have had to be taken to secure the future of this unique institution. St Deiniol’s has relied on investment income from previous generations to subsidise rates for clergy and scholars but the current recession has depleted this vital source of income.
It now falls to us – the present generation of users and custodians of Gladstone’s generous gift – to secure its future. We are asking everyone who has benefited from the Library to consider making a regular gift to help us keep Gladstone’s vision of a residential library alive and well in the twenty-first century.
We are tremendously grateful to all those who have supported us so loyally with their time and money over many years. We now need ‘Friends’ who will give us a regular, if possible monthly, contribution to help replace the dwindling reserves of past generations.
The Library is attracting more people than ever before. It has exciting plans for the future, some of which are already beginning to be realised: new collaborations with universities in theology, cultural studies and nineteenth-century studies; nationally recognised work in developing research in religious education; a commitment to engaging with and nurturing understanding of Islam. It is ironic that, at a time when the Library has such an important role to play in addressing some of the most pressing needs of contemporary society (as Gladstone would have wished), it should be in such a parlous financial position.
If you have benefited from St Deiniol’s Library and want it to be able to offer its unique resources to future generations, please consider becoming a Friend. Money that we receive from the Friends helps us meet our day-to-day running costs - it is not for special projects or any ‘extras’ – it is purely and simply to help us keep going. A bank mandate is included in our new Friends leaflet but if you prefer to set up a payment by another method (e.g. internet banking), please do so. All we would ask is that you advise us of the date of your first payment and the amount and frequency of subsequent payments.
If you would like further information, please contact Annette Lewis.
What's next?
Why not stay overnight or plan a short retreat for some personal study time. You'll find the atmosphere here peaceful and friendly, and of course there's the library itself with over 250,000 texts that cover a wide range of subjects, specialising in our core subject areas of Theology and Victorian Studies.
View details of our accommodation at St Deiniol's
Go to booking enquiries
Tel: 01244 532350
Email: enquiries@st-deiniols.org
