Ha ha! I saw that picture, and thought someone was saying that this was the St Catherine’s library. The would have been an insult to me. I also hold the Trinity College library as the most beautiful I have ever seen.
Did you know that the original flat ceiling began to separate because of the weight of the books? The architects hired barrel-makers to put in a more flexible ceiling made of giant half-hoops. And of course, to me, that ceiling is one reason the library is so beautiful.
That’s what one of the volunteers explained to me, anyway.
Quite an interesting anecdote about coopers being employed in the construction, thanks for sharing.