York Minster

Laurence Sterne Room

The newly opened Laurence Sterne group reading room is specially designed for our readers seeking a space to work and discuss with their companions while in the environment of a library. The room is attached to our Reading Room and is surrounded by double glazed windows to allow discussion or tutoring without disturbing the rest of the Reading Room. This also allows our stewards to monitor the Room’s usage.

The room has been used for seminars held by tutors to allow their students to look at old and rare books as well as by student groups needing a place to work with discussion.

The room is equipped with a large table and book rests for viewing manuscripts and old books with a maximum capacity of 8 people. The room also has a computer which is connected to our catalogue online. There are multiple power points for laptop usage.

Alcuin Lecture Room

After an extensive refurbishment, the Alcuin Lecture Room can accommodate groups of up to 20 readers and it is designed to host lectures, lessons and seminars with easy access to the library's collection and personalised assistance from our qualified staff. This room can be outfitted for pc/slide projection upon request.

How to book

The Laurence Sterne Room and the Alcuin Lecture Room can be booked in advance, free of charge, by contacting us.

Laurence Sterne and Alcuin in York

The famous 18th century author Laurence Sterne had close connections to York and York Minster. Sterne lived in nearby Yorkshire town Sutton-on-the-forest as a vicar and was also a prebendary of York Minster. Sterne was a constant user of the York Minster Library and has been recorded borrowing books in Library’s register in 1743.

Alcuin of York is one of the most important scholars in 8th-century England. He served as librarian for York Minster Library before becoming one of the architects of the Carolingian Renaissance in France.