Exploring “Belfast’s Great Shared Space” with The Linen Hall’s Julie Andrews
The third stop on our “Lost in Belfast” series is the city’s oldest cultural organization, The Linen Hall Library, located in an 18th-century building across the street from City Hall and a reminder of Belfast’s days as “Linenopolis” when it dominated the global linen trade.
Our conversation with director Julie Andrews delves into the library's rich history since its establishment in 1788, its role as a neutral space for political and cultural dialogue, and its extensive collections, including its signature Northern Ireland Political Collection of ephemera and artifacts gathered during The Troubles. “Politically, we show no allegiance. There’s something in our collection to offend everyone,” Julie says.
She shares insights into the library's innovative projects, ongoing initiatives to ensure the organization stays relevant, challenges inherent in operating a not-for-profit institution, the library's community engagement, its diverse events, and potential future expansions.
Join us at a beacon of Belfast history, The Linen Hall Library!
Links
The Linen Hall
Julie Andrews
Episode Details: Season 7, Episode 5; Total Episode Count: 108
00:00 - Introduction
02:05 - The Centrality of Belfast's Linen Hall Library
06:16 - The Northern Ireland Political Collection
08:07 - Sustaining a Subscription Library
14:03 - Reasons to Visit the Linen Hall Library
17:17 - The Importance of Programming
22:09 - Julie's Background
25:51 - Linen Hall Surprises
27:32 - The Governors Room and Others
30:16 - Keeping Pace in a Changing Belfast
33:34 - John and Martin Recap
35:01 - Credits
Julie Andrews
Director Linen Hall Library
After an extensive career in Belfast arts, cultural, and civic organizations, Julie Andrews became the director of The Linen Hall Library in 2013, the first woman to lead the library in its 225-year history. During her tenure, she has overseen the digitization of the library's collections, the development of educational programs, and the creation of a vibrant tourism offering. She has also encouraged efforts to celebrate local women and their role in Northern Ireland's history. The Linen Hall is the oldest private library in Belfast and houses some of the most important historic collections in the region.
