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About us

Welcome to Cosin’s Library, one of the earliest public libraries in the North East of England. Hidden in the heart of Durham, the library was founded in 1669 by Bishop John Cosin to give local people access to ‘good books’. Over the last few years, the library has been closed for conservation work, but we are about to reopen. With funding from Arts Council England, we want to make sure that the library and its collections are more accessible and enjoyable than ever before.

The Project

Explore Cosin’s Library

Non minima eruditionis est bonos nosse libros (Not the least part of learning is to know good books).

42266-scaled John Cosin Bishop of Durham (1660-72)