Norwich’s dedication and passion for embracing and representing cultural heritage, information, and personal stories is reflected in its cluster of libraries, archives, and collections, including a network of 21 public libraries serving the communities of Greater Norwich.
Specialist collections
Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library, located beneath the glass canopy of The Forum, is one of the most frequented libraries in the country. It also houses the Norfolk Heritage Centre, the American Library, the Norwich Millennium Zine Library, and specialist collections such as the Norwich City Library and the Colman’s Collection.
The Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures, along with the Lisa Sainsbury Collection and the Robert Sainsbury Collection at the Sainsbury Centre, showcase an extraordinary range of works across the city.
Norwich Cathedral Library holds a valuable collection of ancient and modern texts, including rare books dating back to the 15th century.
Additional local historical collections include the library at Blickling Hall, which houses over 12,500 books and manuscripts. It is the largest National Trust library and one of the finest private libraries in Britain.
The Paston Collection, primarily known as the Paston Letters, is a significant archive of 15th-century English correspondence, held by the British Library.
University collections
The University of East Anglia boasts a substantial library and several specialist collections, including the British Archive for Contemporary Writing (BACW). This archive features manuscripts, correspondence, and rare documents from renowned authors such as Malcolm Bradbury, Lorna Sage, and J.D. Salinger. Nobel laureate Doris Lessing gifted an archive of 129 boxes containing correspondence, diaries, and working papers.
The BAWC works with emerging and recently established writers to understand how the creative process unfolds in a digital environment and the implications and opportunities for archives. The UEA Centre for Contemporary Poetry in the Archive, funded by the Mellon Foundation, amplifies underrepresented voices in British and Irish poetry. This innovative project collects and preserves diverse contemporary poetry, fosters community engagement, and utilises BACW’s ‘storehouse model’ to promote interdisciplinary learning and showcase archives both online and within the UEA Library.
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