Autumn has very definitely arrived, as evidenced by the drop in external temperatures recorded by our environmental monitors. Thankfully internal temperatures are steady enough in most areas of the Congregational Library; books, particularly old ones, don’t like fluctuations in temperature or humidity, so it’s good to see that our books are being kept in a reasonably stable environment – even if things are sometimes a little too warm for ideal. Watch this space, we’re working on it.

The unpacking continues. Readers will probably be getting sick of me reporting on it, but it is very much the most important part of the Congregational Library’s experience at the moment. Removing a library from one part of the country is no joke, but we really could not do without our two amazing volunteers. Yesterday between the three of us we unpacked 12 boxes, which is a record for us. Here are a few of the more interesting things we have been finding:

We’re looking forward to the Congregational Lecture, which will take place on 20 November at 17:30 (refreshments from 17:00) in the Farringdon Room at The St Bride Foundation, 14 Bride Lane, Fleet Street, London EC4Y 8EQ. The Rev. Doug Gay, Lecturer in Practical Theology at Glasgow University and Principal of Trinity College (Glasgow), will give the lecture, which will be on the subject of “Faithful Adaptation – How God changes the Church’s mind on ethics”. We hope to see you at what promises to be an excellent and stimulating evening.

As always, please follow us on Twitter and Instagram if you have not already done so and investigate our website to find out more about the Library and the Congregational Memorial Hall Trust. If you think we can help you with an enquiry you may have about Congregational or Dissenting history in Britain, or if you have a connection with Congregationalism and think we may have information that might help you with your family history, please get in touch: we love to meet new users!

See you next month!