Adopt a book at risk
There are 4,700 volumes in the collection, dating from 1504. Fortunately, given the high quality paper and bindings of most volumes, they are generally in good condition. However, some volumes are showing signs of wear, often due to handling. We do not want to limit access to these beautiful artefacts and indeed many volumes have been rebound by the Trustees over the centuries.
There are just under 200 hundred books which need repair. We have categorised them into Red and Amber states in order to prioritise work on them. Whilst this will be a rolling programme, we have selected five important volumes to launch a funding appeal. Sponsors of each book will be acknowledged in our Adopt a Book Register, on the Library website and by a name label where possible.
For details of how to adopt a book, simply use the contact form below to send an email to Alastair MacDonald who is managing the book restoration programme.
- Polyglot Bible 1657
Considered the finest of Polyglot Bibles, it was compiled with the aid of many scholars and was one of the first English books assembled by subscription. The six volumes contain nine languages, Hebrew, Samaritan, Aramaic, Greek, Latin, Ethiopic, Syriac, Arabic and Persian.Carry out paper repairs as necessary before re-backing the original boards with a new leather spine over which the original will be remounted.
Total repair cost for 4 volumes £1,035.14
- Opera Omnia - St Basil 1637
Basil of Caesarea was an early Roman Christian prelate and influential theologian who was Bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia between 330-379Carry our paper repairs as necessary before re-backing the original boards with a new leather spine
Cost £245.20 + VAT
- Opus Chronographicum 1611
Petrus Opmeer 1526-1594 was a Dutch Catholic historian and controversialist, a ‘friend of painters, sculptors and architects’. Later he turned to theology.Opus Chronographicum was completed in 1569 but not published until 1611. It contains famous woodcuts of artistic figures of the time.
Carry out paper repairs as necessary before re-backing the original boards with a new leather spine over which the original will be remounted
Cost £245.20 + VAT
- Tragoediae Seneca 1624
A collection of ancient Roman tragedies, attributed to the Stoic philosopher and playwright Lucius Annaeus Seneca, who modelled his works on Euripides.Carry paper repairs as necessary before re-backing the original boards with a new leather spine over which the original will be remounted.
Cost £147.65 + VAT
- Scotia Depicta 1804
Exceptional engravings and text pages relating to Scotland’s antiquities, abbeys, castles, battlegrounds, public buildings and landscapes. John Claude Nattes made drawings on the spot, the etchings are by James Fittler
Collate pages and take down into loose folios. Tissue line and repair using archival heatset tissue. Seal on the tissue, refold, re-collate and resew all along through the centre folds. Reback the original boards with a new leather spine.
Cost £419.73 + VAT