Housed in Candie House, a Georgian merchant residence built c.1780 by Peter Mourant. Osmond de Beauvoir Priaulx acquired the property in 1871 and donated it with his rare book collection and surrounding gardens to Guernsey. Renovated 1887-1889 with Victorian library interior. Transitioned in 1983 from free public library to local studies and heritage library for the Bailiwick.
Priaulx Library is a public local studies and family history library housed in Candie House, a Georgian building in St Peter Port. Founded in 1889 by Osmond de Beauvoir Priaulx, it holds approximately 30,000 catalogued items — rare books, maps, newspapers (from 1785), photographs, parish records, and a German Occupation collection. Free to visit; free membership for Bailiwick residents. —
Specialises in1
Each capability links to every business in the Baliwick that shares it.
Public and private collections of books, documents, and records.
From their website
Library archive · Local studies research · Family history research · Reference services · Reproduction services · Genealogy resources (free access to FindMyPast, Ancestry, British Newspaper Archive) · Group tours · Educational talks · Scanning services · Paid research services for remote patrons
Quick facts
Established
1889 · 137 years
Facilities
Accessible Entrance, Accessible Parking
People7
Osmond de Beauvoir Priaulx — Founder
Sue Laker — Chief Librarian, BA Hons, Dip. Lib., MCLIP
Key dates and recorded company events for Priaulx Library.
1871—Osmond de Beauvoir Priaulx acquired Candie House · He later donated it with his rare book collection and surrounding gardens to Guernsey.
1983—Transitioned to local studies and heritage library · The library transitioned from a free public library to a local studies and heritage library for the Bailiwick.