Laura Shanahan

Laura Shanahan, MA, is Head of Research Collections at the Library of Trinity College Dublin.

She has responsibility for the departments of Manuscripts and Archives, Early Printed Books and Special Collections, the Map Library and Music. She has previously performed a variety of roles in the National Library of Scotland and the University of Edinburgh Library.

Laura completed her Undergraduate Degree in English Literature at the University of Edinburgh, and her Masters in Library and Information Management at Northumbria University.

Laura’s predominant focus in Libraries has been working across special and general collections on major collections, digital, and estates projects.

Laura joined Trinity College Dublin in January 2018 and since then has been active in delivering the two parallel schemes under the Old Library Conservation Programme: the philanthropically-funded Virtual Trinity Library programme (to open up our collections through cataloguing, conservation, digitisation, research and public engagement); and the Old Library Redevelopment Project sub-projects including :- the content development for the Book of Kells Experience digital exhibition the transfer of the Old Library collections into offsite storage, creation of a new interim reading room and staff space, and design development of the Printing House Refurbishment for the display of the Book of Kells during closure.

Laura Shanahan is speaking at the Digital Collections Summit:

Raising the roof on the Old Library

In January 2024, Trinity College Dublin opened its first fully-digital, in-person exhibition: the Book of Kells Experience.

With expert input from the Library curators and College professors, and using assets from our collection digitisation programme, this experience brings the stories off the shelves of the historic Old Library and showcases the people who care for this unique working library and collections.

Divided into three sections – the secret life of the collections, Book of Kells 360, and the Long Room reimagined – the exhibition deploys the best of modern digital display technology, design and presentation to provide a truly memorable experience.