Tim Pye

The collections include rare treasures such as the Serum Missal, a prayer book printed by William Caxton in England in 1487 and on display at Lyme in Cheshire, the libraries of literary figures including Agatha Christie at Greenway in Devon, and the 20th century book collection of poet, novelist and civil servant Hadombe Asselechi at 575 Wandsworth Road in London.

Tim Pye, the Trust's National Curator of Libraries, says, Books are the cornerstone of the Trust's collections.

They aren't showy in the way that perhaps paintings or furniture can be, and I think that makes it easier for people to relate to them.

Unlike other libraries, most of the Trust's books are still in situ and often contain things like inscriptions or notes in the margins.