The Community Library is a large library, with over 60,000 volumes, 200 journal titles and 12,000 pamphlets (& tracts). Volumes range from medieval to modern day. The environment of the library rooms is that of any historic building, where shelving, storage room and environmental conditions can be challenging. In order to provide access to the library (resources and physical space) relevant staffing is required, with particular skill sets from collection management; conservation, volunteer management and library service provision.
The Project
We currently have a part time Chartered Librarian (permanent) and a temporary Library Assistant (10hrs per week) until December. To keep working on the library to provide the best access and space to everyone who wishes to use it, we need to fundraise for more staff – ideally a full time Library Assistant.
Funding will enable us to add much needed skilled staff to the Library. It will allow us to focus on cataloguing and build a team of volunteers with robust cataloguing skills. A full time Library Assistant for 1 year would recruit, train and supervise volunteers. The Library Assistant would also catalogue pamphlets and ensure volunteers cataloguing skills are strong and up to standard.
The Collection
The pamphlets and tracts in the collection date from early 19th Century to present day. They cover many topics such as The Bible, Philosophy, Liturgy, Pastoral, Mission, Doctrine, Other Religions, Music, Marriage, and more! Early pamphleteers include members of the Oxford Movement, CR, C.S Lewis, William Temple, Frederick Engels, Thomas Merton and Rowan Williams in the 20th century. From the mid to late 20th century onwards, the pamphlets are more informational than used for controversy. They include material from many established publishers including Church of England (General Synod/House of Bishops) Grove, Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge and Historical Association.
Within the ‘Pamphlet Collection’ the tracts reside. We have around 300 bound volumes containing hundreds of tracts. These religious pamphlets were specifically published in the 19th and early 20th Century. The bound tracts have been curated by their original owners. (Please click here for more information about the original owners.)
The collection includes, Tracts of our Times produced by members of the Oxford Movement (Anglo/Catholic revival group from 1833-1841). It has about a dozen authors, some of them leaders of the movement. These include John Keble, John Henry Newman and Edward Bouverie Pusey. The tracts succeeded in drawing attention to the views of the Oxford Movement on point of doctrine. This was because tracts could be distributed widely and cost pennies. The first tracts appeared in 1833. The Tract Collection is of theological, ecclesiastical, historical, social and political significance. (Please click here for more information about the significance of the collection).
We are very grateful for any donation you are able to make towards this project. If you would like to support the Library Cataloguing Project please click here to make a donation.
If you would like further information about this project please click here to contact the Librarian.