Morrab Library, Penzance

Lisa Di Tommaso Opens the Door to the Fascinating Story of Morrab Library

Founded in 1818, Morrab Library is one of only a small number of independent subscription libraries remaining in the United Kingdom. Today it is housed in Morrab House, a beautiful Victorian building overlooking the sea from within the renowned Morrab Gardens. During her talk, Lisa traced the library's journey through its various locations in Penzance before it settled into its present home in 1889, where it has remained ever since. The library's long history reflects the town's enduring commitment to learning, literature and the preservation of local heritage.

Lisa explained that the library now holds more than 70,000 volumes, ranging from contemporary fiction to significant collections covering literature, history, biography, travel, religion, Cornish studies and local history. Among its most notable holdings are rare books, extensive runs of historic newspapers, archival material and internationally significant collections relating to Cornwall and the Celtic nations.

One aspect of the talk that particularly fascinated members was the way in which many of the library's traditional systems continue to operate. While modern technology is increasingly being introduced, much of the lending and archival work still relies on long-established manual cataloguing systems, ticket records and filing methods. Lisa described the enormous task of digitising records that have accumulated over more than two centuries. The work is painstaking and will continue for many years, but it is essential in ensuring that the library's remarkable collections remain accessible to future generations.

Encouragingly, significant progress has already been made in some areas. Lisa highlighted the extensive work undertaken on the library's photographic archive, one of its most valuable local history resources. The collection contains thousands of images depicting the people, places and events of West Cornwall, providing an invaluable visual record of the region's past. Continued cataloguing and digitisation are helping to make these images easier to discover and use for research, education and community projects.

The library is also a thriving community resource rather than simply a repository of books. It hosts exhibitions, talks, research activities and educational events, while relying heavily on the support of members, volunteers, staff and charitable giving. With a membership of more than 900 people, it continues to play a vital role in the cultural life of West Cornwall.

Rotarians were left with a renewed appreciation of the extraordinary asset that Morrab Library represents. Lisa's enthusiasm and knowledge brought to life not only the library's rich history but also the dedication required to preserve and develop its collections for the future. Her presentation was a timely reminder that, in an increasingly digital age, institutions such as Morrab Library continue to provide an irreplaceable link between the past, present and future of our community.

Our sincere thanks go to Lisa for a fascinating and enlightening talk, and for helping us better understand the remarkable work being undertaken at one of Penzance's most cherished institutions.

To find out more, go to https://morrablibrary.org.uk