THE Friends of Skipton Library will reveal one of town's best kept secrets next week.
They are putting on display some items from the Petyt Library - a renowned collection of 15th century Bibles, 17th century atlases and a 1580s edition of chronicles, which was Shakespeare's source for his history plays.
The collection is usually kept behind closed doors.
It was started 300 years ago by the Petyt brothers, from Storiths, who, after becoming wealthy and influential lawyers in London, sent books to Skipton "for the augmentation of a library and use of the Grammar School".
The collection was initially housed in a room at parish church, but moved to Ermysted's Grammar School in 1881. Part of the collection was transferred to the public library when it opened in 1910, with the remaining books being transferred in 1938.
Now, for a one-off event, some books from the collection will be on display at Skipton Library on Wednesday from 6pm to 7pm, with historian Douglas Grant giving a brief talk at 6.15pm.
Refreshments will be available.
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