Sponsor-a-Book

The Sponsor-a-Book Appeal

The Geological Society Library’s Rare Book collection is one of the finest collections of antiquarian books on geology and related subjects, containing approximately 3500 volumes mostly published after 1800, as well as some 18th Century volumes and a few titles dating back to the 16th Century, and including impressive early volumes annotated by the 19th Century geologists who originally owned them.

Launched in 2008, the Sponsor-a-Book Appeal has raised over £5000 and allowed us to restore, repair and conserve twelve volumes from the collection, as well as some of the earliest memoirs and correspondence between the Society's founders.  We thank all those from amongst our Fellowship, Friends and Corporate Affiliates for their generous support so far. 

But there are many more books in need of conservation - and we still need your help!

Details of the books in greatest need of repair can be found on the Titles to Sponsor  page.  If you would like to donate a smaller sum to the book of your choice, or simply make a donation to be used where it is most needed, then please see the Other Books page for more ideas.

A special bookplate will be placed in each fully restored book with the name of the person, persons or company who sponsored its restoration and the date that the work was completed (if you wish, of course, your sponsorship can remain anonymous).

A leaflet with information on the Sponsor-a-Book Appeal is available to download below in a printable format:

Latest News

Summer 2011 - Sponsor-a-Fish!

The Library and Archive has launched a new project to conserve and digitise the Society's unique collection of 2000 fossil fish drawings.  To find out more visit the Sponsor-a-Fish page.

Sponsor-a-Manuscript Success!
 

The Library would like to thank Professor Alan Lord, Stephen Palmer and Dr Susan Turner for their donations which have allowed us to conserve one of the Society's earliest manuscript books. A prized treasure from the archive, this manuscript book includes numerous letters, tracts and memoirs from eminent early thinkers in geology, including James Sowerby, James Bathurst and Comte de Bournon, amongst others.

The conservation work, to restore and individually separate each of the previously bound pages, was carried out by Graeme Gardiner of Preservation Solutions, Cambridge.  Each of the pages can now be more easily viewed and are secured in plastic sheets to prevent any future damage from use.