The Lowe Library - University College, Durham

07/03/2026

The first Lowe lecture taking place in the Lowe Library March 18th at 4 pm. Be there for Mary’s wonderful and engaging talk all about the Decameron. It’s not want to miss!

17/08/2025

Want to hit those reading goals? Find some vegan recipes? Chill with an audiobook? Download the Libby app and sign in with your Durham account when prompted to access unlimited ebooks, audiobooks and magazines!

14/08/2025

We can’t wait to welcome you all to the Lowe Library!

27/06/2025

A final post from your Head Librarian 2024/2025 📚❤️

Dear all castleman,

I’m Yuetong. As I wrap up my year as Head Librarian, I find it hard to put into words how grateful I am—for the work, the team, and the memories we’ve created together.

Our library team chat was called Lowe Family, and over time, we really became just that—a warm, supportive little family of seven. I want to thank each of our incredible Assistant Librarians from the bottom of my heart. Your dedication, support, and brilliance made this journey not only possible but truly unforgettable.

This year, we achieved more than I could have imagined. Together, we completed 15 initiatives, including Reading at Castle, Castle of Verse, book recommendations, feedback collection, book reclassification, and peer matching sessions. We enriched our collection by adding nearly 100 new books—from fiction and non-fiction to essential textbooks.

We collaborated with other communities such as Castle Pride and the University College official Instagram account, and supported major events like the JCR Balls, MCR Ball, and CCFS. Our efforts were recognised with nominations in the Castle Colour Awards—four individual nominations for our librarians and a team nomination!

I’m so honored to officially announce Morgan as our new Head Librarian for the coming year! 🎉 I can’t wait to see how you’ll lead Lowe to even greater heights!

I’m also thrilled to welcome back one of our original team members—Ella—we’ve missed you, and I’m so looking forward to seeing you back in the team!

And finally, I want to say thank you to Wendy, Ellen, Sukanya, and the entire College Office staff—none of this would’ve been possible without your constant support and help.

I’m incredibly honored to have received the Set Up Leadership Award and the Outstanding Student Leader Award—both of which I owe entirely to this magical library and this perfect team.

This was a fulfilling, meaningful, and unforgettable year.
Thank you, and I love you all.
Here’s to the next chapter of the Lowe Family 📖✨

— With love,
Yuetong

30/05/2025

The Lowe Library remains a 24/7 library! Who knows when you might want to check out some of our new titles….

18/05/2025

📢 This post addresses some of the most frequently raised concerns and suggestions from the recent Lowe Library feedback survey.

These topics received the highest level of engagement, and we wanted to provide clear, thoughtful responses to help keep our communication transparent and constructive.

Thank you for taking the time to share your views — your input plays a vital role in shaping the future of the library. 🏰📚

15/05/2025

📚 Lowe Library Feedback Summary

Last term, we collected valuable feedback from students about your experiences and suggestions for using Lowe Library. A big thank you to everyone who took the time to complete the survey!

Here are some key highlights:

✅ Most students are satisfied with their overall experience, especially appreciating the convenient location and study spaces like Minstrels.
🪑 Many asked for more comfortable study areas, such as better chairs and larger desks.
🤫 While the floor-based noise zoning is widely supported, enforcement could be improved.
☕ Several suggestions called for more flexible food and drink policies, and additional facilities like printers.

📌 Over the coming weeks, we’ll respond to your feedback one by one:
We’ll make changes where possible, and for things that can’t be changed immediately, we’ll provide explanations to keep communication open and transparent.

We’re committed to improving the space and services, and making Lowe a place you truly enjoy studying in!

📩 Feel free to keep sharing your thoughts with the library team!

13/05/2025

08/05/2025

One of my favourite books is Simone de Beauvior’s ‘The Second Sex’ because of the way it raises important questions regarding the impact of social conditioning in our early childhood development. It provides as an eye opening perspective on gendered behaviours, marking a clear distinction between s*x and gender as two separate entities. Indeed, ‘one is not born, but becomes a woman’ to demonstrate this. I particularly admire the way she, a 1950s woman, reflects on gender stereotypes as a means to criticise the political climate of her time. Namely, she presents women as the unfortunate yet inevitable ‘other’, as though subordinate and inferior to their male counterparts due to the nature of androcentricity. Thus, from a modern day viewpoint, this book serves as an unforgettable framework for Feminist literature, and allows us to draw parallels between women’s rights today, and where we first began, particularly with abortion laws in the US, and the UK Supreme Court’s rulings on transgender rights.

Charlotte Morgan - 1st year CHSS student.

07/05/2025

Looking for somewhere to study? Try out some of castles dedicated study spaces!

06/05/2025

Hello people of ! Please get in touch with us to suggest some new books for the Lowe!

01/05/2025

📚 Book Recommendation | Jane Austen — The Watsons
The Watsons is a novel written but unfinished by English literary giant Jane Austen. The story revolves around the intelligent and independent heroine Emma Watson, who is sent to be raised by wealthy relatives at a young age, but is forced to return to her family of origin as an adult, where she lives in straitened circumstances. In a small society full of hierarchies and marital pressures, Emma is faced with rational and emotional choices. Although only a draft, this work still shows Austen’s usual humour, sharpness and deep insight into the fate of women.

🎭 Now, there‘s a fresh take on The Watsons!
”The thing is - Jane Austen isn’t just any author; she‘s your author.“
Based on Austen’s unfinished original, this cleverly adapted play unfolds in a highly creative way: while the author puts down her pen, the characters are still awaiting their fate —Where do they go from here?
It‘s a fascinating exploration of choice, freedom and ‘unfinished business’ that pays homage to the classics while breaking new ground.

📍 ASSEMBLY ROOMS THEATRE | 1st - 3rd MAY
🎟️ Tickets on sale now. link in bio.