On Thursday 7th November I had the pleasure of joining a tour of the Liverpool Athenaeum Library , organised by CILIP North West and the Library and Information History Group . I am a newly qualified librarian with an interest in historic and rare book collections. I’ve worked for the National Trust and am currently in my first professional post as a Local Studies Librarian. So when I saw the tour advertised on the CILIP website I immediately signed up. I suggested it to my manager as an opportunity for networking and CPD, and she readily agreed. Stepping inside the Athenaeum’s plush interior from the torrents of rain falling outside was like stepping into another world, something out of a Sherlock Holmes story. I could just imagine Holmes, Watson and Mycroft discussing a case in the Newsroom next to a log fire. Our group was met by Joan, the Librarian at the Athenaeum since 2007. Her enthusiasm for her role and the collection was evident. This is an Honorarium post, and toge