by Harriet-Jade Harrow | Sep 26, 2024 | Blog
The library recently lost another good friend in Martin Crosfill. Martin passed away on 9th September at the age of 94. He joined the library back in 1978, and during that time was a loyal volunteer, supporter and friend. Martin served as a Library Trustee, and at various times held each of the Officer posts with the exception of Treasurer (for which he was extremely grateful!). Most recently, until 2019, Martin was our Honorary Librarian, providing inspiring and generous support to Lisa, our present Librarian, as she negotiated her way into the unique world of the Morrab six years ago. He organised the lecture series, chaired the Book Selection Committee, and organised themed book displays. Martin also started the Morrab book fairs which became a national event in the booksellers’ calendar. He organised a Spanish Armada symposium – a three day event with lectures by experts from all over the country – as well as theatrical evenings with music and poetry. He always rolled up his sleeves and worked incredibly hard, sending out letters, putting up posters, organising festival evenings, moved an inordinate number of books up and down the stairs before the days of the lift, and even helped clean the drains .
Even in retirement from holding a Trustee role, Martin continued to volunteer until 2023, teaching himself the dark art of Excel spreadsheets so he could contribute to adding our paper-based archival index to the National Archives DISCOVERY catalogue. Throughout the Covid lockdowns he would ask the librarian for projects he could complete at home to ‘maintain his sanity’ as he put it, and generated a prodigious number of spreadsheets for us, returning in person as soon as he was able. He also attended the weekly Shakespeare classes at the library until April this year. A dedicated bibliophile, Martin was always full of fun and exciting ideas , with many stories to tell of his time working as a surgeon in the Scottish Isles and here in Penzance, and hosting many parties at his home in Heamoor with his late wife Jean.
He was a loyal friend and cared for his friends and the staff at all times, giving them voice even if he disagreed with them. He will be greatly missed by so many of us.
by Harriet-Jade Harrow | Aug 31, 2024 | Blog, Exhibition
September will see us welcome artists Philip Riley and Nadia Peters to the library, where they will explore the library’s relationship with nature, taking inspiration from our historic book collection.
Philip and Nadia work collaboratively with mixed media, inspired by their surroundings and incorporating found objects. From the 16th-25th September they will aim to use our historic book collection as a visual and literary starting point for the creation of sculptural work. They will focus particularly on the animal images from the work of Swiss naturalist, Conrad Gesner and his important 16th century encyclopedia Historia Animalium, (you can read a library blog about Gesner here). Found organic and vintage material collected locally will be incorporated into their sculptural response to the library building, historic artefacts and the location itself.
As well as the opportunity to meet the artists each day of the residency as they work on their creations, Philip and Nadia will present a talk about how the library and its collections has influenced and inspired their work on the 25th September – more details to follow.
The artists will also host workshops at the local St Levan’s primary school, where students will have the opportunity to work with Philip and Nadia to create images based on the fantastic creatures depicted in Historia Animalium, which will subsequently be displayed at the library on the day of the talk.
Nadia Peters is a mixed media installation artist based in Manchester. Her work is inspired by her surroundings and incorporates found objects. Phil Riley is a Cyprus based artist. Working in plaster using natural forms found on location, his practice now includes casting in sand. Phil’s subject matter is influenced by both his international and Uk artist residencies.
We look forward to welcoming them and introducing you to their work.
by Lisa Di Tommaso | Jun 15, 2024 | Blog, Exhibition
Artist Rebecca Harvey and poet Lucy Sparrow are joint Artists in Residence at The Morrab Library. Throughout the year, the pair are creating pieces in porcelain and poetry inspired by the library’s rooms, collections and atmosphere.
If you have visited the library recently, you may have paused on the staircase to read Lucy’s latest poem, ‘a living library’ which slinks along the stringer up to the top of the stairs. At each tread, a new line is added to the poem which grows as you climb, repeating itself in a calming refrain up to the landing, from which you can see the room where Lucy first drafted the piece.
Lucy says “‘a living library’ was written in the Poetry Room in The Morrab Library late one sunny afternoon in January 2024. In an armchair surrounded by shelves of books and art works, looking out through an enormous window into the surrounding garden, I felt an intense sense of serenity and connectedness.”
Through their residency Lucy and Rebecca seek to bring to life and shine attention on unexpected places around the building, illuminating quiet corners, treasured reading spots and places of contemplation.
Lucy adds, “The library, crammed with treasures and always welcoming, opens up as a safe yet stimulating space nurturing learning, creativity and reflection.” Through her poem she hopes to “convey the essence of the library, its energy and life revealed through presence and purpose, by the library staff, library members and visitors in this very special place.”
Lucy’s poem is depicted in another form by Rebecca Harvey’s work in the Rees Room, just off the landing. Rebecca works in porcelain and for this new piece she has painted with Cornish clay slip onto the glass panes and has written ‘a living library’ through the clay, letting the light stream through the words.
Sitting at the desk in the Rees Room, surrounded by French fiction, Pelican books and texts in a whole host of languages, you can look out of the window through the poem, or watch the afternoon light play through its letters.
Rebecca describes her process and the inspiration behind the piece below:
“At the top of the stairs I gravitate towards the intimate Rees room as it holds assorted memories of being the first that I spent time in with my young daughter after the first lockdown. The window invites a gaze towards the living life of Penzance, palm trees, close knit houses, sky and drifting interior thoughts.
The pane of glass echoes the page.
The materiality of locally dug kaolin references its granite source and traditional use in paper making.
Textures of brushstrokes soaked in clay, are drawn across the transparent glass and slightly conceal the exterior.
Energy held in the edges of the brushmarks are left, partly inspired by the slightly torn and ruffled edges of a WH Davies book. This book is so beautifully illustrated and belonged to a member of the The Penwith Local History Group who are researching a creative Hilda Quick collection held in the archives.
A sequential gesture of the handwritten words holds the fluid rhythm and pattern which are revealed through the transparency of glass.
Like the poem this understated composition has taken on many permeations before arriving with a somewhat simple interpretation of ‘A Living Library”.”
Lucy and Rebecca’s previous pieces were installed in the Reading Room and you can read about their work in our previous blog post. This summer, Lucy’s poem guides the library visitor gently up from the ground floor and Rebecca’s next porcelain installation can be found in the Rees Room window (upstairs). You can also pick up a copy of Lucy’s poem to take home from the table on the landing.
The installations are open for members and non-members alike to visit during Library opening hours (10-4, Tuesday-Saturday).
by Lisa Di Tommaso | Apr 26, 2024 | Blog
The library has lost a most valuable and supportive friend with the recent passing of Glyn Richards.
For many years Glyn served as a trustee. Polite and always ready to give of his best, he contributed his local knowledge in committee meetings and until quite recently would work hard on necessary tasks during social events.
Glyn was active in developing the Photographic Archive, appending details to many vintage images over many years, and was an important member of the team. He attained a good knowledge of I.T. and contributed to workgroups in the Penlee Gallery. Glyn also maintained a productive relationship with numerous Cornish historians and was generous with his time to anyone making enquiries or requests.
He also contributed to the works of the Penwith Local History Group. Having worked as a nautical engineer on ships of the Merchant Navy he was a rich source on all matters of the sea. He was especially close to his grandfather, who worked as a sail maker, and Glyn treated the Group to stories relating to his forebear, being licensed as an apprentice and the earnest commitment this entailed. He had a detailed knowledge of the quarry railway, and having worked with the team, the fishing protection vessels. He had an interest too in visual arts, the Newlyn Art Group and their domiciles, and was an authority on Myrtle Cottage.
Not only did he know the best place to get a pasty but if you went along with him you would notice the affection with which he was served. He was active at the Newlyn Trinity Centre and contributed with his customary conviviality. We have lost a huge fund of knowledge and a wonderful friend.
Written by George Care.
by Lisa Di Tommaso | Feb 13, 2024 | Blog, Events, Morrab Library, Uncategorized
We are delighted to invite you to take part in the ILA Annual Meeting, to be held on the 30th and 31st May at The Morrab Library in Penzance, Cornwall.
Library staff, trustees, and volunteers are all welcome to deliver a paper, lead a discussion, or share your experiences around the theme of “Facing the Future: Responding to the challenges faced by Independent Libraries”, either in person, or via ZOOM.
Fundraising, governance, volunteers, the climate crisis and more – independent libraries need to confront a range of challenges in order to remain sustainable and future-proof. How are our libraries addressing the issues that are crucial to ensuring our survival and relevance? Proposals could include:
- Successful fundraising projects at your library, large or small;
- Tips and tricks on writing successful fundraising applications;
- Encouraging and supporting volunteers in the various roles they play;
- Managing a significant volunteer project;
- Experience of making old and even listed buildings more environmentally sustainable;
- How good library governance can support change management.
We emphasise that your paper, or the session you lead, does not need to be scholarly, and all staff, trustees and volunteers of independent libraries are welcome to deliver sessions.
We would love to welcome you and help to share your stories about the wonderful world of Independent Libraries!
We shall open up bookings for attendance at this hybrid event at a later date.
We look forward to hearing from you.
by admin | Nov 24, 2023 | Blog, Morrab Library, Sale
We have a variety of other uniquely ‘Morrab’ gift options which all help to support the work of the library –
Gift Membership
Share your love of Morrab Library with friends or family – a gift that include access to 70,000 books(!), tranquil work spaces, our marvellous library community and more (£40 for a year’s household membership – we also offer a discounted student membership at £20).
Morrab Library Christmas Cards
A beautiful design by our own staff member, Harriet-Jade Harrow. £1 each, £2.75 for 3 or £4.75 for a pack of 5.
John Trigg prints
Choose a high quality print from one of twelve beautiful images, taken from the collection of drawing books donated to the library by the artist John Trigg (£65).
Penzance Map
A high quality reproduction of the 1841 map of the Borough of Penzance (£20).
Second hand books
There’s a brilliant, eclectic selection of second-hand books for sale – a perfect Christmas gift for a like-minded book lover.
Morrab Medicament
A whimsical creation by members Sue Lewington and Steph Haxton – it’s Morrab Library in a bottle! Each jar contains a library poem, a drawing of a library scene, as well as a charm. Limited edition (£10).
Morrab Library Pens
High quality black ink pens with the library logo and name embossed on it (£2.50).
Acorn event with Morrab Library – Elizabeth I and Churchill talk
Tickets are on sale for the next talk by Mark Cottle on Feb 29th. Studies in Leadership – Elizabeth I and Churchill will focus on the life times and similarities of each leader. (£10 from the Acorn Theatre).
Get some Christmas shopping done and support the library at the same time!
