Secret and Sacred Libraries from East Midlands Parishes

Amongst the Bibles and theological texts are more surprising books, on poetry, history, politics, games, and the social duties that governed everyday life. Through their pages we can glimpse the intense local concerns and a broader intellectual curiosity that extended far beyond the parish boundaries.

This is a unique opportunity to see the rare books from these long-forgotten libraries, which tell a story of the lives of people in parishes that still exist today, connecting the modern East Midlands with its vibrant and fascinating history.

This exhibition has been co-curated by Dr Jem Bloomfield, School of English, and Manuscripts and Special Collections at the University of Nottingham, with research assistance from Chloe Pavey and grant funding from Research England.