Lisa Di Tommaso – Librarian

I joined The Morrab Library as Librarian in 2018, taking over the reins from the brilliant Annabelle Read after her thirty year tenure. In that time I’ve encountered a ceiling collapse in the Jenner Room, a basement flood and a global pandemic, but I, and the library are still here! And that’s due to the wonderful volunteers and members who have made me so welcome.

Originally from Brisbane, Australia, having worked in a number of libraries in the academic, public and private sectors, I came to London in 2002, for what was meant to be a year. But I landed a role in the Head Office of the National Trust, so that was that. I then took up the role of a Special Collections Librarian at the Natural History Museum, where I worked for ten years, caring for, amongst many other things, artwork from the First Fleet and Cook’s voyages to Australia, manuscripts relating to palaeontology, and helping curate exhibitions. Prior to moving to Penzance, I was the Head of Collections at Durham Cathedral for four years, managing the library’s Anglo-Saxon books and Medieval archive, the Cathedral’s object collections, and helping to establish and curate its new Open Treasure Museum.  

I love living here in Penwith, and especially Penzance (though the seawater temperature could do with being higher!), walking the coast path and exploring my beautiful surroundings. The opportunity to manage one of the most beautiful, unique and serendipitous libraries in the UK is truly an honour.  

Harriet-Jade Harrow – Library Assistant 

During the summer of 2020 I walked from Gloucestershire to Penzance on a personal pilgrimage to Isles of Scilly. I heard about The Morrab Library on my adventure and walking on the coastpath rekindled my longing to move down to Penwith. I feel immensely grateful to be here, enveloped by books, constantly learning and to be included in this generous community.

 I work part time at The Morrab Library and spend the rest of the week painting and collaging food inspired illustrations (if I’m not gallivanting around Penwith that is!). 

James Parnham-Kenny – Library Assistant

After graduating from Falmouth University in 2016, I have spent time working with charities across Cornwall (Including the Hall For Cornwall,  Royal Cornwall Museum & Courtney Library). I have a real passion for heritage, culture and community and found myself (as I am sure most of you have at some point if you’re reading this) at the doors to The Morrab Library. I am very excited to be helping with the membership scheme and cataloguing, as well as meeting all of our wonderful visitors!

I work part time at the Library and when I don’t have an audiobook in my ear or my nose in a book, I am a storyteller, podcaster and general creative odd job handyman with my small creative company, Multivax.

Alison Todd – Bookkeeper