University to Display Rare Books on Open Day

Members of the public will get a rare opportunity to explore Cardiff University and its history when the doors are opened on 17 September.

The main building (above) is Grade II listed and was part of the University when it was opened in 1909 and is still the hub of the university campus. The special open day will give Cardiff residents, and visitors to the city, the chance to look behind the building’s familiar exterior.
 As part of the day, visitors can see first-hand some of University’s newly acquired Rare Books collection, which includes 175 incunabula around 500 rare Bibles and a rare set of early Shakespeare works.
 There will also be an interactive children’s area with hands-on exhibits based on the human body, demonstrations and exhibitions by some of the researchers based in the building about their world-leading work and the chance for people to find out more about the courses offered by the University’s Centre for Lifelong Learning.
 Main Building, which is located on Park Place, will be open to members of the public from 11.00am until 3.00pm on 17th September. During the day, two special tours of the building will be given by Jim Cowan, a professional guide from Cardiff History and Hauntings. These start at 12.45pm and 1.45pm and will last approximately 30 minutes. Tours of the Rare Books collection will run at 1.00pm-2.00pm (Welsh language) and 2.00pm-3.00pm (English language).
 All tours are free and places must be booked in advance by contacting Community@cardiff.ac.uk or 02920 876935.
 Visitors who would like to take a building tour through the medium of Welsh, or who have accessibility issues should contact the University’s Community Engagement Team on the email address or number above in advance.