University of Leicester Library - Discovery Day (Heritage Open Days)

From medieval manuscripts to the papers of Joe Orton and Sue Townsend, the David Wilson Library is a treasure trove of cultural heritage. Join a tour of the Library or just drop in and explore. A Library Treasures exhibition will be on show throughout the day in Archives and Special Collections.

There will be an opportunity to meet members of our ‘Sounds for the Future’ team to find out how we are bringing the unique East Midlands Oral History Archive to new audiences. You can even bring your reel-to-reel tapes and other old audio formats. Our expert staff will advise you how to look after them and may be able to play them back.

Researchers from our new Institute for Digital Culture will also be on hand with an opportunity to enjoy Virtual Vauxhall Gardens, a multi-sensory virtual reality experience of the first of the true Pleasure Gardens of Georgian London.

Staff-led tours are at 10am, 12pm and 2pm (booking required). Please assemble 5 minutes before the start of the talk inside the Library foyer to be accompanied to the Special Collections Suite.

Drop in visits are between 10am to 4pm and children accompanied by an adult are welcome. A children’s trail will be available during the visit.

The event is part of the University of Leicester's programme of events for the 2022 Heritage Open Days.

Host or Publisher University of Leicester Special Collections