Priaulx Library

Bringing Guernsey history to life

Visitors are welcome. Step back in time and discover Guernsey's fascinating past, preserved for the future. No appointment necessary.

Guernsey's local history centre

Got a Guernsey ancestor? Find out all about them and how they lived. The Priaulx Library houses records dating back to the 15th century.

Guernsey Photographic Archive

As well as a wealth of books and documents, we hold a unique collection of many thousands of local images. We assert our copyright in these images, but copies of the images may be purchased for private and commercial use. Just ask us!

Guernsey French

The Priaulx Library is the central repository for material in Guernsey French, which can be viewed without appointment.

A sublime and timeless place

'Un endroit sublime et hors du temps.' (Lalydo's blog, 2019)

The Digital Priaulx

The Priaulx Library has begun a major programme of digitisation of its collection, in order to preserve the material and to make it more easily accessible. The fast-growing database of images, newspapers and documents is searchable by visitors to the Library.

Guernsey's local and family history research centre

The Priaulx Library is a unique visitor centre for the study of the island's history and genealogy. Our varied collections also include the Guernsey Photographic Archive, the finest collection of local newspapers in the Channel Islands, and rare books and documents on Guernsey's language, culture, and literature. Christmas closure: 23-29 December 2019, and New Year's Day.

Search the catalogue

Ask us for help Bookbinding

Conduct independent research or ask us to help

From rare books, artefacts and maps to pictures, newspapers and family records, the Library is the guardian of Guernsey’s history and provides research support and reproduction services. Conduct your own research or ask about our paid services.

If you wish to consult items not on the open shelves, such as newspapers or material from the strongroom, please ring in advance so that we may provide you with the best service we can.

We welcome groups and offer special tours

The Library is open to school, college or special interest groups. We can arrange tours of the building or viewings of specific collections.

The Librarians are happy to organise evening visits and educational talks. Please contact the Library for further information.

The home of Guernsey French studies

The island's most comprehensive collection of Guernsey French material, much of it unique, from the earliest dictionaries and poems to the most up-to-date learning materials.

The Library also holds a significant collection of dictionaries and studies of Norman-French patois and other historical French dialects.

Our special collections: 'a real gold mine of knowledge'

The Priaulx Library is committed to collecting, cataloguing and preserving the islands’ history and culture. Our 'véritable mine d'or du savoir' includes military records, local folklore and rare books in English and French.

Please note: Any book with a Priaulx Library label or stamp or a personal bookplate of Osmond Priaulx but without a withdrawal stamp may have been removed illegally from the Library's collection. We politely request that anyone with knowledge of such a book contact us immediately.