The conservation work was made possible by a grant from the Radcliffe Trust. The exhibition, entitled 'Historic Hereford Unbound', will be on display until mid-June.

And the Lion Rebound 16/01/04
One of Hereford Cathedral Library’s most important and beautiful medieval manuscripts has recently come home after undergoing conservation treatment. MS O.I.8 is a 12th-century Gospel Book decorated by the artist known as the ‘Alexis Master’, who is thought to have worked in St Albans. At the beginning of Mark’s Gospel is a miniature painting of the evangelist as a scribe with wings and a lion's head: this picture is one of the best-known images of the Library. (Traditionally the evangelist's symbol – in Mark’s case a lion – is shown in the picture with him: to combine the two into one hybrid form is less usual but not unprecedented.)

Christopher Clarkson has carried out the very specialised conservation work on this exquisite book. He has cleaned the leaves and straightened most of the creases, including those on the leaf which bears the St Mark miniature. He has preserved the original 12th-century sewing under the 17th-century binding, strengthened the spine, and recovered it in best quality goatskin which matches the existing tanned sheepskin on the boards. The book is now much stronger and more flexible, and fit to be put on display again at some time in the future.

Historic books saved 15/11/05
A significant collection of books from parishes in Hereford diocese has been donated to the library. Full details can be found here.

New books added and library catalogue put on-line
Lists are available of the books added to the library in December 2005, January 2006, January and February 2007, March and April 2007, May and June 2007 and July 2007. The Cathedral Library’s catalogue is now available here. This a significant step in a three-year project to catalogue electronically all the library's books. Currently most of the books in the lending section are on the catalogue. Local history books will be added next and updates will be made regularly and the number of books available will increase.