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Friends of the Nations’ Libraries

@thefnl.bsky.social
3.7K followers 595 following 89 posts

Friends of the Nations’ Libraries, or FNL, awards grants for acquisitions to regional and national archives, libraries and museums. www.fnl.org.uk.

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British Library @britishlibrary.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
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
A photograph of Dr Paul Bates stood in a stairwell at the British Library. He is a white man, with dark brown hair and wearing a white shirt and camel coloured chinos.
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Herschel Museum of Astronomy @herschelmuseum.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
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.
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Friends of the Nations’ Libraries @thefnl.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
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...
youtube.com
Three newly acquired William Wordsworth letters reveal new insights into his life
YouTube video by Wordsworth Grasmere
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Glamorgan Archives Archifau Morgannwg @glamarchives.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
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/...
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Archives and Records Association UK and Ireland @araukie.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
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-...
recordkeeping-careers.org
Library & Archive Co-ordinator at Shakespeare’s Globe - Recordkeeping Careers
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Friends of the Nations’ Libraries @thefnl.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Terrific news!
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Melinda Haunton @melindahaunton.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
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.
scottisharchives.org.uk
Deposited Collections Toolkit - Scottish Council on Archives
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Royal Berkshire Archives @berksarchives.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
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
A collection of historical documents including a handwritten journal, a large green register of nurses, a photographs of nurses, a letter and a photograph of a man working at a printing works.
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The Museum of English Rural Life (MERL) @themerl.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
So, we found a live bat in our galleries. 🦇 a thread🦇
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Falmouth & Exeter Uni Archives @fxuniarchives.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
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...
jobs.falmouth.ac.uk
Archives & Special Collections Officer in Penryn Campus | Falmouth Careers
View details and apply for this Archives & Special Collections Officer vacancy in Penryn Campus. We are seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Archives & Special Collections Officer to join our Ar...
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Suffolk Archives @suffolkarchives.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
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
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Bexley Archives @bexleyarchives.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
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
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Friends of the Nations’ Libraries @thefnl.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Us too! Jackie Kay’s archive was acquired by @natlibscot.bsky.social with the help of a grant from @thefnl.bsky.social !
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Friends of the Nations’ Libraries @thefnl.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
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...
grants.fnl.org.uk
A collection of the letters, literary drafts and notebooks of Daphne du Maurier | Friends of the National Libraries
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
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
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David Prosser @davidprosser.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
York is recruiting a new Director of Library, Archives and Learning Services & University Librarian. Details at: jobs.york.ac.uk/vacancy/dire...
jobs.york.ac.uk
Jobs - The University of York
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Suffolk Archives @suffolkarchives.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
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 orlo.uk/eHtBg
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Falmouth & Exeter Uni Archives @fxuniarchives.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
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.
A text post reading "Join our team! We're looking for an Archives and Special Collections Officer. You'll be: Preserving and providing access to a diverse range of fascinating archives and special collections; supporting students, staff, researchers and members of the public; Contributing to innovative projects and service development initiatives; Shaping and enhancing digital collections management and access. This post is permanent, part-time (30hrs/week) and based on campus. Closing date: Sunday 16th Aug". The post has a blue background and a pattern of light blue dashes at the top and bottom.
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Katie Birkwood @girlinthe.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
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....
tandfonline.com
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Friends of the Nations’ Libraries @thefnl.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
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...
bbc.co.uk
King's 1313 royal charter to Forde Abbey joins county archives
The 700-year-old parchment document from Edward II details privileges for the monks of Forde Abbey.
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Dr Alison Ray @liber-ray.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
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! 📜🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🎉
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The National Manuscripts Conservation Trust, aka NMCT @thenmct.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
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)
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Friends of the Nations’ Libraries @thefnl.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
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!).
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Kat @byekitty.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
when you’re doodling in meetings but you’re William Morris
a page from a notebook including artistic stylised floral patterns and designs for the letter G alongside notes possibly relating to socialism
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Melinda Haunton @melindahaunton.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
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.)
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Buckinghamshire Archives @bucksarchives.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Let's talk about mass trespass.
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The John Rylands Library @thejohnrylands.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
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,
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Library of the Royal Irish Academy @rialibrary.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
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.
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Bob MacLean @bobmaclean.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
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...
universityofglasgowlibrary.wordpress.com
Bad Grammaire
Something is very strange about this titlepage. Amusingly so. Can you see what it is? During printing the second “M” of the second word in the title, “GRAMMAIRE”, must accidentally have been omitte…
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Friends of the Nations’ Libraries @thefnl.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
A rare source of grants for digitisation for archives across the UK - closing date **5th June**.
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Explore York Archive @yorkarchive.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
🚨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
Row of leather-bound council minute books on a shelf, worn spines and white cloth ties.
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Museums Association @museumsassociation.org · 12/05/2026
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
museumsassociation.org
Site of first smallpox vaccinations to reopen after restoration work - Museums Association
Temple of Vaccinia at Dr Jenner’s House museum was added to the Heritage at Risk Register last year
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Friends of the Nations’ Libraries @thefnl.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
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.
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Tina Morton @tmmorton.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
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
tinyurl.com
Take part in the 2026 survey - Archives sector
The annual UK Archive Sector Survey is now open and will be closing on Friday 29 May 2026. The National Archives delivers this comprehensive survey every year in partnership with National Records of S...
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Friends of the Nations’ Libraries @thefnl.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
What a terrific opportunity! careers.kew.org/vacancy/arch...
careers.kew.org
Archives Graduate Trainee - Careers | Kew Gardens
The Archives and Records Management team forms part of the Library and Archives department. Archive staff manage Kew’s historic record of activities, as well as collections and other documents relatin...
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Royal Berkshire Archives @berksarchives.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
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
Scaffolding on the outside of the archive's building.
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UCL Special Collections @uclspeccoll.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
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...
Image promoting the Anthony Davis Book Collecting Prize 2026. The background is a collage of colourful stamp album covers from last year’s runner-up, Penny James. In the centre, over a semi-transparent grid, the text reads ‘Anthony Davis Book Collecting Prize 2026’ with ‘Open until Mon 25 May’ below. The UCL Special Collections logo appears at the top left of the grid.
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Friends of the Nations’ Libraries @thefnl.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
**JOB KLAXON!** What a fantastic opportunity! www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DRH302/c...
jobs.ac.uk
Curator of Dr Williams's Library at The University of Manchester
Discover professional service job openings, including the Curator of Dr Williams's Library role, on jobs.ac.uk. Apply today for more information on this position.
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Herschel Museum of Astronomy @herschelmuseum.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
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
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The National Manuscripts Conservation Trust, aka NMCT @thenmct.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
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...
archives.wales
Boots, Bricks and Gunpowder: a 19th Century Waybill Book reflecting life in the Glyn Valley, Denbighshire - Archives Wales
On the first day of Explore Your Archive week, we are highlighting the work that goes into the conservation of archives and manuscripts. At North East Wales Archives we have received a grant from the ...
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Friends of the Nations’ Libraries @thefnl.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
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!
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Owen Garling @ojgarling.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
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
ccc.cam.ac.uk
University of Exeter and University of Cambridge Libraries & Archives - Collections Connections Communities
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Friends of the Nations’ Libraries @thefnl.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
This is a terrific initiative which creates opportunities for graduate conservators in the UK. The power of working together!
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Thomas Plume's Library @thomasplumes.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
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.
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Richard Ovenden @richove.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
Our newest photographic acquisition highlighted in @thetimes.com www.thetimes.com/uk/photograp...
thetimes.com
‘Amazing’ unseen photos by Cecil Beaton and Lee Miller unearthed
The wartime images, processed and printed by the photographers’ assistant Roland Haupt, have been described as an ‘empirical time capsule’
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Kresen Kernow @kresenkernow.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
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
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Borthwick Institute for Archives @uoyborthwick.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
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...
A manuscript page with a large initial R formed to two intertwined dragons
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Lambeth Palace Library @lampallib.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
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...
lambethpalacelibrary.info
Cathedral Libraries and Archives Collaboration – Lambeth Palace Library
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RLUK Research Libraries UK @rluk.ac.uk · 31/03/2026
Earlier this month we were pleased to support a @thefnl.bsky.social briefing on how Acceptance in Lieu (AIL), Cultural Gifts Scheme (CGS) & private treaty sales could benefit institutions, depositors & donors. 📺 A recording of this event is now available to watch at youtu.be/c6knmsTll20
youtu.be
FNL Briefing: Acceptance in Lieu and the Cultural Gifts Scheme
YouTube video by ResearchLibrariesUK
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Strawberry Hill House and Garden @strawbhillhouse.bsky.social · 28/03/2026
🏰 Help bring a Gothic Masterpiece Home 🏰 We’re raising £85,000 to acquire a rare 1750s painting of Strawberry Hill, capturing Walpole’s villa at the birth of the Gothic Revival. Now on display! All donations matched until we reach our target 🎯 www.strawberryhillhouse.org.uk/muntz-strawb...
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