Quarter Deck Library

[Twynkle]

Having written to the Chaplain of the Mission to Seafarers in Dubai,
and had a call with the office in London - a reply is still awaited.
The old large books are first editions and rare.
They contain important maritime history.
For general purposes they are interesting,
for personal reasons they would be very valuable 

Whilst on board Queen Victoria last year, the librarian confirmed the above;
'all new books from QE2 were shared between QM2 and QV'.
No-one she spoke to at Cunard was able to say what had happened to the older books.

Maybe...just a thought
To QE2_DXB
I wonder whether you might be able to say what happened to them?

[Rob Lightbody]

All QE2's books are still in her library, just like they were when the last passengers saw them on 27th November 2008.

[Twynkle]

All QE2's books are still in her library, just like they were when the last passengers saw them on 27th November 2008.

That is such good news, a big heartfelt Thank You!

If it weren't for new grand-babies appearing
(who will oneday realise why their grandmother fretted about the old books)
and if funds were ready, and QE2 was visitable - purely to see the books, you understand,
I wouldn't be sitting here now.....
The knowledge that they are there means a great deal.

On reflection, it would have been very sensible throughout to imagine that they were being kept safe
together with the rest of her valuable collection. Hopefully, this request hasn't put anyone to any inconvenience.
Maybe there will be others too, who will be pleased to know this information

[Rob Lightbody]

Just a note from 'the editor' ! - can we please try to refrain from 'after dubai' discussions spreading into other areas of the forum.  I'd like to try to keep all such discussions in that section.  This topic should be about the library up to and including, but not after, midday on the 27th of November 2008!

[Cruise_Princess]

I loved the QE2 library yet I never ever read a book!!  It was almost the heart of the ship  you ALWAYS met everyone in there....it was a great wee place....and I miss it... in fact igt was almost as good as the laundry on deck 3 !    though much more sedate....no fights over dryers in the library! LOL!

[Twynkle]

Today a gentleman told me that he worked in The Library after QE2's maiden voyage - 'there were vibrations, things had slipped a bit'.
He remembers the lovely rosewood  - he had been an apprentice at Heals (London) and was seconded from there to work both in the Library and the Lido on QE2.
Hopefully it won't be too long before he is able to post more here on the Forum.

Rosie.

[Lynda Bradford]

I enjoyed browsing through books in the library and taking time to sit and enjoy the atmosphere.  I did not borrow books very often but it was good to know that there was a good selection to choose from.  If I can remember right you could also get the daily crossword from the library. 

The close proximity of the library to the book shop meant that my visit to the library would result in a visit to the book shop to make a purchase of a QE2 book of course. 

[cunardqueen]

   The bookshop was doing a roaring trade of people buying souvenirs.  Was it Carmel running it and/ or Jane Appleby?  Both I think.       

June Applebee was a librarian, at one stage she was the only full-time cruise ship librarian in the world.I remember her from my early days of travelling, always a cheerful face and a great lady.
 Jane was also in the Library. During one cruise on the hosted table we had Carmel and then later on we had Jane, Both equally superb hosts and both very much with their own personalities.
 I do remember one guest mentioning and this was said purely in jest that things must be bad before we are getting the Librarian, then when her assistant appeared a few nights later,her face was a picture. Like l say nothing disrespectful was ment in her comments, Both were very memorable hosts   And l hope the lady doesnt mind me telling this story.  Then again it was a lively table .

[Janice Naylor]

I was so happy when I found the library.  A lovely little spot right next to the Queens Room.  jI spent many content hours on rainy sea days reading a book from the library in a cozy corner of the Queens Room.