Warwick Record Office opens bookshop

All the books are second-hand and most have been donated by members of the public who originally bought them as part of research into different aspects of the county’s rich history, which stretches from Roman fortifications and castles to the coal mining 
industry.

As the Record Office is in Priory Park, off Cape Road, the new shop has been named Priory Books, and boasts a tea room and free internet access.

Archive assistant Karen Moulder said: “Visitors always want to find out more about Warwickshire’s history and it was their feedback that helped us to identify the need for an outlet for hard-to-find specialist publications for local and family history research.”

The shop has already received a good deal of support from visitors and volunteers who have brought in hundreds of books to stock the shelves.

Richard Hart, service manager for Heritage and Culture Warwickshire, is still hoping to recruit a voluntary manager to help oversee the new venture.

He said: “Priory Books is a great example of how we are able to listen to and respond to the needs of users of our service.”

The Record Office already offers public access to 900 years worth of written records and also offers regular one-day courses on tracing your family tree or examining some aspect of local history. All those with local history books to donate can ring 412069.