A NEW Warden has taken over a historic library in North Wales.
This week, the Reverend Dr Andrea Russell was named the first new Warden at Gladstone Library in Hawarden, Flintshire in 25 years - and is also the first woman to take up the role.
The Library is a Grade I listed example of neo-Gothic Victorian architecture and a rare example of a residential library. Its 26 bedrooms allow visitors to sleep in the same building as its unique archival and book collections.
The Reverend Dr Andrea Russell comes to Gladstone Library from the Diocese of Oxford where he was Director of Formation for the Ministry.
She said: "This is a unique role and I feel privileged to be here at the Library. Whether it's the staff who work here, the national and international scholars who come to study or those who come to read, write or rest, everyone is so committed to this place that celebrates learning in all its forms.
"I'm really looking forward to having conversations with friends of the Library, staff and guests over the coming months so that we can, together, we dedicate the next chapter to Gladstone Library. Building on the legacy of Peter Francis, I have no doubt that the Library has a great future and I am delighted to be a part of it."
Originally established in the late 1800s, the Library contains a core collection of books once owned by William Ewart Gladstone who was Prime Minister four times.
The present building was opened in 1902 and contains three purpose-built quiet reading rooms accessible to registered Readers and resident guests.
The library supports a series of scholarships, events and Writers in Residence and has hosted a range of authors, including Sarah Perry (The Essex Serpent), Michel Faber (The Crimson Petal and the White) and Stella Duffy (Theodora).
Patrick Derham, Chairman of Trustees at Gladstone Library, said: "We are delighted to welcome the Reverend Dr Andrea Russell as the new Warden of Gladstone Library. " Andrea's vision for the future of Gladstone Library aligns with the organisation's ethos and guiding principles and we very much look forward to working with her."
--
A NEW Warden has taken the helm at an historic library in North Wales.
This week the Revd. Dr Andrea Russell became the first new Warden at Gladstone's Library in 25 years - and is also the first woman to take up the role - a historic moment for this unique place of learning.
The Library is a Grade I listed example of neo-Gothic Victorian architecture and is a rare example of a residential library, its 26 bedrooms allowing visitors to sleep in the same building as its unique archival and book collections.
The Revd. Dr Andrea Russell comes to Gladstone's Library from the Oxford Diocese where she was Director of Formation for Ministry.
She said: "This is a unique role and I feel privileged to be here at the Library. Whether it is the staff who work here, the national and international scholars who come to study or those who come to read, write or rest, everyone is so committed to this place that celebrates learning in all its forms.
"I am very much looking forward to having conversations with friends of the Library, staff and guests over the coming months so that together we can discern the next chapter for Gladstone's. Building on Peter Francis' legacy, I have no doubt that the Library has a fabulous future and I am thrilled to be part of it.
Originally founded in the late 1800s, the Library includes a core collection of books once owned by four times Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone.
The current building was opened in 1902 and features three dedicated silent reading rooms accessible to registered Readers and residential guests.
The library supports a series of scholarships, events and Writer in Residencies and has hosted a range of writers, including Sarah Perry (The Essex Serpent), Michel Faber (The Crimson Petal and the White) and Stella Duffy (Theodora).
Patrick Derham, the Chair of Trustees of Gladstone's Library said: "We are very pleased to welcome Revd. Dr Andrea Russell as the new Warden of Gladstone's Library. " Andrea's vision for the future of Gladstone's Library is in keeping with the ethos and guiding principles of the institution and we very much look forward to working with her."