PROJECT SPOTLIGHT: Lanier Theological Library, Yarnton Manor, Oxford, UK

12 February 2026 460 view(s) 5 min read

When a 17th-century tithe barn outside Oxford was converted into a world-class theological library, the lighting needed to do two things: showcase the collection and protect it. Penn Elcom assembled over 1,000 bespoke lengths of LED tape and extrusion to integrate seamlessly with the custom shelving at the Lanier Theological Library, Yarnton Manor.

Sitting adjacent to the manor house, the library is a pre-eminent resource for theological texts, serving students and academics from Wycliffe Hall, Oxford.

The Challenge

Lighting a theological library presents a specific conservation challenge. Books, manuscripts, and artefacts are highly susceptible to damage from UV and IR radiation. The bespoke joinery shelving required over 1,000 individually cut and labelled LED lengths, each precisely fitted to illuminate the collection without causing long-term harm. The scheme needed to balance aesthetic warmth - sympathetic to the historic barn setting - with the technical demands of preservation-grade lighting and seamless integration into bespoke joinery.

Drawing it all together

The LED team at Penn Elcom began with detailed drawings of the shelving layout, then specified complete LED assemblies including tape, extrusion, drivers, and accessories:

TF600S-G1-930 – selected for short pitch (140 LEDs per metre), excellent colour rendering (CRI 90), no UV emission and minimal IR output to protect the book collection, and high efficiency at 105 lm/W. A light output of 620 lm per metre allowed the books to be highlighted in balance with the wider lighting scheme, and the colour temperature 3000K was used to give warmth.
LEDAL42 aluminium extrusion - designed to be recessed into joinery, mounting the LED tape at a slight angle to evenly illuminate the shelf face. The diffuser ensured no dots from the LED tape were visible, giving a line of smooth, continuous light. The aluminium works as a heat sync, taking heat away from the LED chips.
DALI drivers – enabling dimming to very low levels and individual control of each shelf group, with the low power consumption (5.9 W/m) allowing one driver to control multiple lengths.

Once the sample was approved, our technical team calculated a cut list for over 1,000 lengths of varying measurements, minimising waste. Each extrusion was cut to exact dimensions by our wiring team, fitted with LED tape, soldered to 2m cable tails, then finished with end caps and diffusers.

Large group or LED aluminium labelled ready for project

view of end of profiles with person in the background of Penn Elcom cable and LED assmebly area

close up of assemled custom LED strip with covers with red and black cabling in the background

Every length was labelled with shelf number, location, and measurement - allowing the electricians to locate and install each piece carefully and accurately while saving time on site.

The Outcome

The installation went smoothly thanks to careful coordination between Penn Elcom, the electrician, and the joinery company. The finished library now houses a growing collection, illuminated by lighting that highlights the books beautifully while protecting them for future generations.