More than 80 new fiction and non-fiction titles in standard print have been delivered in time for the start of the academic year.

Mr Fell attended the college many years ago, before a library even existed on site. Later, as Chair of Governors in 2002, he played a key role in establishing the Learning Resources Centre (LRC) and performance space. In recognition of his contribution, the library was named in his honour, and a commemorative plaque can still be seen by the entrance to the lower LRC.

Access to standard print editions is essential, as they enable us to source transcribed formats tailored to the needs of vision-impaired students. The Ian Fell Library, within the LRC, is believed to hold one of the largest directly accessible collections of printed Braille in the country. This donation has been particularly valuable in revitalising the reference section—where Braille editions are often scarce and difficult to accommodate in homes due to their size. Students are now able to browse an even wider range of books on subjects from history and science to mental health and money.

Librarian Mrs Holmes said:
“We would like to extend our sincerest thanks to Mr Fell for his generous donation, and to Claire at Cogito Books, Hexham, for her support in selecting the titles.”

Emma Williams, Fundraising Manager at NCW said, “Thank you so much for the generous gift towards new books for our library at New College Worcester. This support helps us create a richer learning environment for our students who are blind or visually impaired, giving them access to stories and knowledge that will inspire, empower and open up new opportunities.”