Friends of the Nations’ Libraries

*Apply now* for acquisition grants for rare books, mss, archives, fine bindings etc. UK's national, regional, local and specialist collecting institutions are eligible. Next trustees' meeting is soon, so apply now if you have an acquisition in your sights & need support. www.fnl.org.uk/apply

Delighted that FNL offered a grant to support @britishlibrary.bsky.social to acquire AS Byatt's papers - one of the most significant contemporary literary additions to the Library's collection in recent years. www.theguardian.com/books/2026/o...

We're recruiting a Level 3 Archives Assistant apprentice. It's a great opportunity to get started in a career in libraries or archives so if you or someone you know might be interested, you can find out more here: jobs.derbyshire.gov.uk/apprenticesh... #job

We’re delighted to announce Dr Paul Bate as the British Library’s new Chief Executive Joining us from the UK Space Agency, Paul brings experience supporting world-class research communities. We look forward to welcoming his expertise at the Library. Read the full announcement here link.bl.uk/fc6

Photology: John Herschel, Henry Talbot and Early Photography celebrates Sir John Herschel’s pioneering contribution to the birth of photography 🔭📷 Discover how his scientific curiosity helped shape early photographic processes.

This summer the Wordsworth Trust has been celebrating the arrival of a new acquisition: three letters by William Wordsworth. Acquired with the help of an FNL grant covering 90% of the cost, they are a significant addition to the collection. Find out more: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgXD...

Teachers! Did you know that Glamorgan Archives offers FREE class visits? We have workshops on a range of themes, all with a local focus on your cynefin. Get in touch to find out more! glamarchives.gov.uk/visiting-us/...

Shakespeare's Globe has a vacancy for a Library and Archive co-ordinator (permanent/part-time) - details on the recordkeeping careers hub here recordkeeping-careers.org/job/library-...

Terrific news!

Raised in meetings today: this excellent toolkit on deposited collections, created by @scotsarchives.bsky.social with Kazky Ltd: www.scottisharchives.org.uk/support-and-.... Scottish law does differ but there is a huge amount here to support archives across the UK managing non-gifted collections.

We've been busy getting ready for our Heritage Open Days tour here at the RBA! Here's a little sneak peak of some items you might see if you're coming along! 📖 #HeritageOpenDays

So, we found a live bat in our galleries. 🦇 a thread🦇

Applications to be our Archives and Special Collections Officer close this Sunday (16th August). If you're interesting in joining our team and helping staff, students and the public to access our wonderful collections, we'd like to hear from you! jobs.falmouth.ac.uk/vacancies/18...

We've loads planned for Heritage Open Days, 12-13 September. Explore some of the diaries in our collections at a pop-up archival showcase. Enjoy talks, take a behind-the-scenes tour, or try the ancient Japanese paper marbling techniques of Suminagashi or "floating ink". #HODs2026 #IpswichEvents

Join our guided walk of Victorian Sidcup on 19 Sept 2.30-4pm with Archives Officer Penny Duggan as we consider the enormous changes that took place 1837-1901 and reflect on the lives of the people who lived there. Tickets £5. To book your place please visit us or email archives@bexley.gov.uk

Us too! Jackie Kay’s archive was acquired by @natlibscot.bsky.social with the help of a grant from @thefnl.bsky.social !

Wonderful. We've been able to help @exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social with two grants for du Maurier material - most significantly collection of letters and lit. drafts formerly owned by Maureen and Monty Baker-Munton. That was in 2019 - here's some info. grants.fnl.org.uk/collection-l...

We're Hiring! 2 Archives Positions: - Project Archivist: Fixed-term, 12 months, full-time. - Explore Centre Team Leader – Archives: Permanent, full-time. Apply by 9am, 10th August. More info and application link in comments. #archives #jobs

York is recruiting a new Director of Library, Archives and Learning Services & University Librarian. Details at: jobs.york.ac.uk/vacancy/dire...

We've still some spaces for this archivist-led tour of The Hold Ipswich - including a visit to our conservation studio. It lasts about 90mins. There's an access ramp in the public areas and chances to sit. Book https://orlo.uk/eHtBg

We are seeking an Archives & Special Collections Officer to join our team at the Penryn Campus! This is an exciting opportunity to support archives and special collections services across Falmouth University and @cornwall.exeter.ac.uk. Apply now via the link in our bio. Applications close 16 Aug.

In things I wish I hadn't seen, but now I have and you will too... New research published in the Journal of the Institute of Conservation recommends PPE for handling all red rot because of the risk of heavy metal contamination (lead, arsenic, cadmium). #GLAMS 📚 www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

Delighted to have enabled Dorset History Centre to acquire this Royal inspeximus charter of Edward II (1284-1327), 1313 relating to Forde Abbey, Dorset. A rare document and an important addition to the collections. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

A fantastic @amarc.bsky.social Summer Meeting today on Welsh estate records hosted by @ystadaucymru.bsky.social and the @bangoruniversity.bsky.social archive collections team! 📜🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🎉

And thank you from @thenmct.bsky.social too! Our annual report also features all conservation grants last year and has a focus on long term benefits plus some of our partnerships that greatly increase what we can achieve. Our AR is a stunner too! (admittedly thanks to the same brilliant designer)

Thank you for spreading the word! Our annual report has short features on every one of the grants awarded in 2025. It’s also rather beautiful and a good read (I know I’m biased but I am only telling it like it is!).

when you’re doodling in meetings but you’re William Morris

This just *keeps* happening to us. (This is a great, great story, about brilliant work in the now and fascinating print diffusion in the past. Come and see the exhibition which is STUFFED with this kind of story.)

Let's talk about mass trespass.

Happy birthday to Enriqueta Rylands! Enriqueta Rylands founded the library in memory of her husband. She decided to establish a new library for the people of Manchester. To create the library, she spent about £1 million (over £100 million today). Open Wednesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm. Free entry,

It is the last Friday of the month, which means the Cathach of Columcille (RIA MS 12 R 33) is on display from 10am - 4.30pm. The Cathach is the oldest extant Irish manuscript of the Psalter and very likely the earliest example of the form of Irish writing known as insular majuscule script.

I love this category of typographic blunder. I blogged about my favourite one of these I’ve seen: universityofglasgowlibrary.wordpress.com/2016/08/23/b...

A rare source of grants for digitisation for archives across the UK - closing date **5th June**.

🚨We are hiring🚨 We are recruiting for 2x Archivist posts: Archivist (Access and Engagement) - fixed-term until March 2028. Project Archivist (Setting the Record Straight) - fixed-term, 12 months. To find out more about the roles and apply take a look at our website⬇️. #archives #jobs

News | Site of first smallpox vaccinations to reopen after restoration work Temple of Vaccinia at Dr Jenner's House museum was added to the Heritage at Risk Register last year

Acquired with the support of a grant from @thefnl.bsky.social! This wonderful manuscript features in our 2025 Annual Report which will be out at the end of this month.

Thank you to those who have completed the UK Archive Sector Survey 2026! For those that haven’t yet, please do tinyurl.com/UK-Archive-S... The evidence helps us to advocate & demonstarte the social and economic importance of archives to funders & stakeholders

What a terrific opportunity! careers.kew.org/vacancy/arch...

Our #ArchiveFuture looks bright, we will be starting work on our extension in earnest very soon, hoping to get it finished by the end of 2027 and ready to take in even more records in 2028! #Archive30

Are you a student in London with a collection of printed or handwritten materials you’re proud of? Apply for the Anthony Davis Book Collecting Prize by 25 May for a chance to win £600! Photo: stamp album covers from Penny James’ collection, 2025’s runner up. www.ucl.ac.uk/library/coll...

**JOB KLAXON!** What a fantastic opportunity! www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DRH302/c...

The Herschel Museum of Astronomy is dedicated to the achievements of William and Caroline Herschel. This brother and sister duo were distinguished astronomers and talented musicians. It was from this house that William discovered Uranus in 1781. #herschelmuseum #bathuk #spacelovers #bathmuseums

Great blog highlighting Jiwon Jeong's work on on 2 NMCT-funded projects. Jiwon, new graduate from the Cardiff was employed as Project Conservator at @newalesarchives.bsky.social on the projects. The one for @gladlib.bsky.social is complete & this 2nd soon will be. archives.wales/2025/11/29/b...

Thank you so much to @camlibresearch.bsky.social @theulspeccoll.bsky.social @liamsims.bsky.social @kingscollege.bsky.social for generously hosting our FNL group and showing a varied and fascinating range of manuscripts and books - some acquired with our support. A really memorable day for everyone!

Fantastic PhD studentship opportunity - Spitting Image: political satire in Britain in the 20th and 21st centuries. Working across @exeter.ac.uk and @theul.bsky.social in partnership with the @camglamresearch.bsky.social and drawing on the Roger Law archive. #PhDsky

This is a terrific initiative which creates opportunities for graduate conservators in the UK. The power of working together!

Thank you to @thefnl.bsky.social for this fantastic book: The Essayes, or Morall and militarie discourses of Lo. Michaell de Montaigne, … new done into English by John Florio, 1603. Donated from the Blavatnik Honresfield Library by the Friends of the Nations’ Libraries.

Our newest photographic acquisition highlighted in @thetimes.com www.thetimes.com/uk/photograp...

Discover one of our favourite historic maps, showing Boconnoc, Bradock and even a Queen’s Highway — helping date it to the Elizabethan era. Spot the barrows, gateposts and hidden details! #ManorialMonday #OldMaps

Today we've launched our digitised Probate Registers and Bishops' Transcripts collections onto Ancestry. Together that's 16 million records covering 1389-1858 - these can be accessed via a subscription to Ancestry or for free here at the Borthwick! www.ancestry.co.uk/search/colle...

FREE preservation site visits for cathedrals! The Spring 2026 application round is now open; apply for a visit from our expert Collections Care team, to advise on a range of preservation issues. Details at www.lambethpalacelibrary.info/cathedral-li...