Young archivists return books to Guernsey after nearly eight decades

Wednesday 01 November 2023

A series of books awarded to a Guernsey student in 1899 are on their way to her home island after being uncovered in Jersey by a group of student archivists.

The books are heading to Guernsey Library and Guernsey Ladies College after being discovered by Jersey College for Girls students.

The books were originally given to Constance Le Marinel, a student at Guernsey Ladies College, as rewards for good work in various subjects.

Labels inside the books were signed by the Principal of Guernsey Ladies’ College, along with Thomas Guille and Frederick Allès, founders of Guernsey’s Guille-Allès Library.

Following Constance's passing in 1938, her brother, Reverend Matthew Le Marinel, donated the books to Jersey Ladies’ College. 

Pictured: The books were donated to the then-Jersey Ladies College after Constance passed away in 1938.

After nearly eight decades, the books will be going home thanks to the work of Tracy Peters, JCG’s Librarian and Archivist, and her helpers, Holly in Year 13 and Ella in Year 10. 

Mrs Peters said: “During my time as Archivist at JCG, I have, now and then, peeped into boxes and uncovered forgotten items. These books are beautiful and need a permanent home”.

Cornelia James, Chief Librarian at Guille-Alles Library, thanked JCG for bringing these “beautiful books” to their attention.

“It’s particularly poignant for us to know that many of them were signed by our founders, Thomas Guille and Frederick Allès.” 

“Last year we celebrated the Library’s 140th anniversary with a major exhibition that brought to life Guille and Allès’s story – their childhood journey to New York, and their lifelong dream to start a library in Guernsey."

"They were very selective about the books they wanted for their library and these particular volumes were doubtless chosen with care, so I’m sure that they would be pleased to see them coming back home where they belong.”