Hymnology Collections
Hymnology Collections - Libraries containing hymn-related resources
Around the UK and Ireland are libraries that hold hymnology collections in their archives. Here we list some with their location and further information about what is contained, who to contact and opening times. The executive wish to extend our thanks to Christine Purcell who works with the Pratt Green Library in Durham and the various libraries that have provided the information. We hope this will provide a useful resource.
Please note: Due to the current Coronavirus situation opening times may be different to those listed here. It is always advisable to phone or email before going to arrange your visit.
The Executive of the Hymn Society of Great Britain and Ireland
Name of Hymnology collection | Taylor Psalmody Collection |
Name of Library and/or Institution | Special Collections Centre, The Sir Duncan Rice Library, University of Aberdeen |
Contact details –postal address, phone number, email address | Special Collections Centre, University of Aberdeen The Sir Duncan Rice Library Bedford Road Aberdeen AB24 3AA 01224 272598 speclib@abdn.ac.uk |
Description of collection, including approximate number of books | This Collection was formed by William Lawrence Taylor (1829-1910), a Peterhead scholar-bookseller, and came into the possession of the Library in 1910. The Collection consists of editions of the Psalms, and is divided into three sections: (i) complete versions, 1546-1911, the earliest with music dated 1578, with detailed bibliographic details; (ii) partial versions, together with Collections of paraphrases and hymns, 1546-1914; (iii) books relating to metrical versions and to hymnology in the Library’s general stock. This has c. 200 volumes mainly on nineteenth- and twentieth-century books on hymnology. c. 1080 volumes. |
Any special or notable items? | The Collection contains many rare editions, such as the earliest printed volume in the Collection, Johannes de Turrecremata, Expositio in psalterium (Venice, 1502), in an attractive blind-tooled calf binding. It contains most English and Gaelic metrical versions to 1914, together with many Latin and some French versions. The Collection extends to early-twentieth-century editions. |
Web address and online catalogue (if applicable) | https://www.abdn.ac.uk/special-collections/cld/37 https://aulib.abdn.ac.uk/F/?func=find-c&ccl_term=SHE=TR |
Opening hours and access for visitors and researchers. | Closed access - please request. Non-borrowable. https://www.abdn.ac.uk/special-collections/using-the-collections |
Facilities and services offered to visitors and researchers | https://www.abdn.ac.uk/special-collections/using-the-collections/wolfson-reading-room-48.php |
Notes and further information | There are many other volumes containing psalms and hymns within other printed book collections. Details can be found on the library catalogue. http://aulib.abdn.ac.uk/F |
Name of Hymnology collection | Fleming Stevenson Memorial Library – hymnology items |
Name of Library and/or Institution | Gamble Library, Union Theological College |
Contact details –postal address, phone number, email address | 108 Botanic Avenue, Belfast, BT7 1JT 028 9020 5093 librarian@union.ac.uk |
Description of collection, including approximate number of books | Hymnbooks and hymnology items from the books collected by William Fleming Stevenson, and donated to the library in his memory in 1886. Ca. 400 books, nothing published later than 1886. There may be other hymnology books in the Fleming Stevenson collection which have not yet been traced, scattered around other uncatalogued parts of the library. |
Any special or notable items? | |
Web address and online catalogue (if applicable) | https://www.union.ac.uk/discover/the-gamble-library Catalogue http://libcat.union.ac.uk Only about 5 books from the hymnology sub-collection have so far been catalogued. |
Opening hours and access for visitors and researchers. | Monday-Friday, 9.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. |
Facilities and services offered to visitors and researchers | Study space, access to print collections. Photocopying available at library staff discretion, but since many of these items are in a frail condition, photocopying permission may be refused. |
Notes and further information | Mostly uncatalogued; there may also be other relevant uncatalogued items in the rare books room. |
Name of Hymnology collection | Elias Library of Hymnology |
Name of Library and/or Institution | Westminster College, Cambridge |
Contact details –postal address, phone number, email address | Westminster College, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0AA Please contact the Archivist on hw374@cam.ac.uk or on 01223 330620. |
Description of collection, including approximate number of books | Edward Alfred Elias bequeathed his unique collection of nearly 3,000 books on hymnology to Westminster College in 1941. The Elias Library now comprises just over 3,500 volumes, dating from the sixteenth to twentieth centuries, though most are from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The material is mostly of English origin, with particular strengths in the Nonconformist and Dissenting hymn-writing traditions. As well as works on hymnology and hymn-writers, the Elias Library contains hymnbooks from the whole range of Christian denominations: there is especial focus on the Presbyterian tradition, but there also hymnbooks from the Anglican, Methodist, Congregational, Baptist, Unitarian, and Moravian traditions. The collection also includes early editions of hymns and religious poems by all the great writers whose work forms the basis of the Presbyterian canon of hymns – Wesley, Watts, Whitefield, Doddridge, Cowper, Newton, Montgomery, Conder, Kelly, Romaine, and Toplady. There are hymnbooks for use in special contexts: schools, missions, and Temperance Associations, for example; and collections of hymns arranged by time ( ‘Christmas’), by theme (‘For The Sick’), by country (‘Hymns of America’), by author, and by editor. There is a selection of hymns in other languages, and though the largest elements of this are hymns in Welsh, French and German, there are hymns in languages from Esperanto to Urdu. The collection also includes church music, and religious poetry. |
Any special or notable items? | |
Web address and online catalogue (if applicable) | All titles in the collection are catalogued on the main University of Cambridge library database, iDiscover, and can be identified by their EL prefix. The database can be accessed at https://idiscover.lib.cam.ac.uk More information about the archives and special collections at Westminster College can be found at https://www.westminster.cam.ac.uk/rcl/research-archives |
Opening hours and access for visitors and researchers. | The collection is open to everyone, but please note that access is by appointment only. Our usual opening hours are Monday – Thursday, 9-2.30. Please contact the Archivist to arrange a time to visit. |
Facilities and services offered to visitors and researchers | Visitors are welcome to take photographs of material in the archives and rare books collections (subject to copyright restrictions), though we ask that you do not use a flash. |
Notes and further information |
Name of Hymnology collection | Local History Collections, Dundee Central Library |
Name of Library and/or Institution | Local History Collections, Dundee Central Library |
Contact details –postal address, phone number, email address | The Wellgate Dundee DD1 4BN 01382 431550 local.history@leisureandculturedundee.com |
Description of collection, including approximate number of books | Local History Rare Books: a significant collection of printed works relating to cultural life and history in Dundee. This includes approximately 35 hymn books published in Dundee or by Dundonians between 1747 and 1908 (among several other religious texts.) The Local History Centre is also home to the Wighton Collection of early Scottish printed music and musical MSS, and contains approximately 50 items either partly or fully comprised of hymns and psalms. |
Any special or notable items? | Ane Compendius Buke of Godlie and Spiritual Sangis [commonly known as the Gude and Godlie Ballatis] c.1567 (Local History, Rare Books) – a particularly rare printed text which illuminates a key moment in the Scottish Reformation. |
Web address and online catalogue (if applicable) | http://www.leisureandculturedundee.com/library/localhistory (We regret there is currently no searchable online catalogue for Wighton or Local History collections, though staff are happy to advise further on material by phone or email.) |
Opening hours and access for visitors and researchers. | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 9am-6pm. Wednesday 10am-6pm. Saturday 9.30am-5pm. The department is open to drop into but if you wish to consult the Wighton or Rare Books collections it would be appreciated if you let librarians know in advance via the above contact details. |
Facilities and services offered to visitors and researchers | Facilities include public study desks, microfilm and microfiche readers, and PC access which offer use of Ancestry and the British Newspaper Archive as well as other online databases. The Local History collections cover a range of books, maps, plans, newspapers, manuscripts, photographs and broadsides – please see the above website or enquire for details. The Wighton Centre often hosts musical concerts and tuition. Staff at Local History can also offer individual research services for a fee if you have an in depth query you are unable to undertake in person. |
Notes and further information |
Name of Hymnology collection | Pratt Green Collection |
Name of Library and/or Institution | Durham University Library |
Contact details –postal address, phone number, email address | Palace Green Library Palace Green Durham DH1 3RN +44 (0)191 334 2972 pg.library@durham.ac.uk |
Description of collection, including approximate number of books | The Pratt Green Collection of hymnology was founded in 1987, with the encouragement of the noted hymn-writer Dr. Fred Pratt Green who generously provided a core by donating his own collection of hymnbooks and works on hymnology. The collection continues to grow by both donation and purchase, and includes both printed and manuscript material. In August 2018 the printed collection contained ca 3700 items. |
Any special or notable items? | Early items include W. Tan'sur's Works (1737-38), W. Knapp's Sett of New Psalms and Anthems (1750), an 1822 edition of Charles Wesley’s tunebook Sacred Harmony, and various 18th and early 19th century hymnals printed in the provinces. There are proof copies of The English Hymnal (1906) annotated by Percy Dearmer, the joint compiler, and copies marked by him with his own and Vaughan Williams's proposals for a projected new edition. Archives include those of John Bacchus Dykes (1823-1876), Fred Pratt Green (1903 – 2000), and John Wilson (1905 - 1992). |
Web address and online catalogue (if applicable) | Printed items are recorded in the online catalogue of Durham University Library http://library.dur.ac.uk/ There is a separate catalogue of manuscript material http://reed.dur.ac.uk/xtf/view?docId=ark/32150_s1jq085j987.xml;query=pratt;brand=default |
Opening hours and access for visitors and researchers. | Material may be consulted in the Barker Research Library within Palace Green Library. Users will be asked to register and to produce proof of their identity, including their permanent address, and are advised to give advance notice of their requirements whenever possible. The Library is open 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday. Further information can be found on our Information for visitors page https://www.dur.ac.uk/library/asc/about/info.htm/. |
Facilities and services offered to visitors and researchers | Enquiry service relating to items in the collection. Photocopying and photography where possible (charged service). Please see Facilities and services page for further information https://www.dur.ac.uk/library/asc/about/services.htm/. |
Notes and further information | The original collection has grown over the years by gifts from many donors, including a generous donation from the hymnbook department of the Oxford University Press. Distinguished hymn writer Bishop Timothy Dudley-Smith currently donates his contributor’s copies of recent compilations to complement those of Fred Pratt Green. The Pratt Green Trust continues to support the collection and purchases are regularly made to keep the collection up to date. |
Name of Hymnology collection | Ushaw College Music Library |
Name of Library and/or Institution | Ushaw College Library |
Contact details –postal address, phone number, email address | Dr Jonathan Bush Ushaw College Library, Ushaw College, Durham, DH7 9RH 0191 3342977 Ushaw.library@durham.ac.uk |
Description of collection, including approximate number of books | The Music collections in Ushaw College Library comprise the following: (1) Early printed music books, including York, Roman and Sarum Missals, early editions of the Directorum Chori, Sarum and York Manuals, Processionals, Antiphonals and music from the Poor Clares convent), as well as some manuscript copies, mostly 16th-18th century (2) Printed music scores, mostly liturgical and music composed for plays and performances, probably used as the working library of Ushaw College seminary, late 19th century-2010 |
Any special or notable items? | One manuscript has been identified by Professor Bennett Zon (Durham University Music Department) as having key significance in identifying the source of the English plainchant revival., containing a ‘Te Deum’ that provides hitherto missing evidence to suggest the English plainchant revival began in Bornhem. First editions, bound together, of two landmark Renaissance musical treatises, De Harmonia Musicorum (Milan, 1518) by Franchinus Gaffurius (1451-1522) and Musica Theorica (Venice, 1529) by Lodovico Fogliano (c.1475-1522). |
Web address and online catalogue (if applicable) | Most of the early printed books have been catalogued and are searchable on the printed catalogue of Durham University Library. http://library.dur.ac.uk/ |
Opening hours and access for visitors and researchers. | Monday-Friday, 10am-4pm, by appointment only. |
Facilities and services offered to visitors and researchers | Searchroom service, including reprographics ordering, self-photography, reference works. There is free parking and a café available on site. |
Notes and further information | A word-processed listing of the printed scores in the seminary music library is available on request, although the scores are piled in banker’s boxes and difficult to locate. |
Name of Hymnology collection | Cowan Collection |
Name of Library and/or Institution | National Library of Scotland |
Contact details –postal address, phone number, email address | National Library of Scotland George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EW +44 (0)131 623 3700 rarebooks@nls.uk music@nls.uk enquiries@nls.uk |
Description of collection, including approximate number of books | (Entry from our Directory of Special and Named Printed Collections https://www.nls.uk/catalogues/online/snpc/) Cowan Collection A collection of liturgies, psalters and hymnals, and works on ceremonial bequeathed by William Cowan (1852-1929), writer on Scottish liturgies and the early maps and views of Edinburgh, which was received by the Library in 1929. It contains 1,117 volumes and four manuscripts, dating from the 16th to the 20th century, and includes many early Scottish printed books. A number of books from his collection not included in the original bequest were subsequently bought for the Library. The manuscripts are described and indexed in Vol. II of the Library's Catalogue of Manuscripts. See also W. Cowan, 'A Bibliography of the Book of Common Order and Psalm Book of the Church of Scotland', Publications of the Edinburgh Bibliographical Society, 10 (1913), 53-100. Shelfmark: Cwn. |
Any special or notable items? | |
Web address and online catalogue (if applicable) | www.nls.uk Printed items in the Cowan collection can all be found in the online catalogue using a shelfmark search. The Library is currently in the middle of a project to complete the retroconversion of its music card catalogues but currently (2018) only a small proportion of its published music collections are included in the online catalogue. |
Opening hours and access for visitors and researchers. | See https://www.nls.uk/ for details of opening hours, how to obtain a library card (required for access to reading rooms) and accessibility. Anyone can get a library card to use National Library of Scotland collections and services. |
Facilities and services offered to visitors and researchers | See https://www.nls.uk/ for details of facilities and services, including self-service photography in reading rooms, copying and digitisation and enquiry services. Music is consulted in the Special Collections Reading Room. |
Notes and further information | The Library is a legal deposit library and therefore has extensive holdings of hymnbooks and other liturgical music in its music and general historical and modern collections. In particular it aims to hold a comprehensive collection of hymnbooks, liturgical music and other liturgical works published and used in Scotland and of works by Scottish composers. Many of the hymnbooks (c.800) are concentrated at shelfmark Mus.G. (as noted above, not all of these items are currently in the online catalogue but a shelflist can be provided on request). All known pre-1901 books containing hymns in Gaelic in our collections have been digitised as part of a wider Gaelic project and are accessible on the Library’s website at https://digital.nls.uk/rare-items-in-gaelic/ and https://digital.nls.uk/early-gaelic-book-collections/. |
Name of Hymnology collection | Hymnology Collection |
Name of Library and/or Institution | New College Library, University of Edinburgh |
Contact details – postal address, phone number, email address | New College Library, Mound Place, Edinburgh EH1 2LU. 028 9020 5093 librarian@union.ac.uk |
Description of collection, including approximate number of books | The collection began as 2,000 hymnbooks gifted to New College Library in the 1880s by James Thin, the founder of the famous Edinburgh bookshop. This was added to by gift, purchase and the re-organisation of other library books to create the Hymnology collection of over 5,000 items. |
Any special or notable items? | Sternhold, Thomas. The whole booke of Psalmes. London, 1622. Hymn 4574. (Miniature psalm book with embroidered binding.) Playford, John. The whole book of Psalms: with the usual hymns and spiritual songs: Together with all the ancient and proper tunes sung in churches, with some of later use. London: J. Heptinstall, 1707. Hymn 289 |
Web address and online catalogue (if applicable) | New College Library website at: https://www.ed.ac.uk/is/new-college-library Collection fully catalogued online as part of : https://discovered.ed.ac.uk/ |
Opening hours and access for visitors and researchers. | Open Monday-Fridays, 9am-5pm Researchers must bring Photographic ID and proof of address to register. |
Facilities and services offered to visitors and researchers | Special Collections reading room with magnifying glasses, lamps. Self service photography for research is permitted. Digital photography / scanning for publication quality images on request. |
Notes and further information | The collection includes psalms, sacred songs and poetry as well as hymns, including items intended for children, both for Sunday school and home use. While there is much nineteenth century material representing the Scottish Protestant tradition, the collection also includes rare 17th and 18th century titles as well as works from other countries and denominations. |
Name of Hymnology collection | Mearns Collection |
Name of Library and/or Institution | University of Glasgow Library |
Contact details –postal address, phone number, email address | Special Collections, University of Glasgow Library, Hillhead Street, Glasgow, G12 8QE 0141 330 6767 special-collections@glasgow.ac.uk |
Description of collection, including approximate number of books | Some 2,000 hymnological works collected by James Mearns (1855-1922), vicar of Rushden, Hertfordshire and reviser of John Julian’s Dictionary of hymnology. Included are many rare early items from the continent. The collection also contains some 1,600 letters to Mearns, mainly on hymnological topics associated with his revision of Julian's Dictonary. |
Any special or notable items? | Not known |
Web address and online catalogue (if applicable) | See https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/specialcollections/collectionsa-z/mearnscollection/ for fuller description Unfortunately Not Catalogued! Access database/handlist available |
Opening hours and access for visitors and researchers. | Mon – Thurs: 9.30 5pm Fri – 10-5pm Visitors need to fill out a form with photo ID – see https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/specialcollections/accessopeninghours/ |
Facilities and services offered to visitors and researchers | Reading room for consultation; self service photography |
Notes and further information | For further info see https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/specialcollections/aboutus/ |
Name of Hymnology collection | Payne Collection; W. M. Cooke Library of Sacred Music (donated 1892) |
Name of Library and/or Institution | Congregational Library |
Contact details –postal address, phone number, email address | Dr Williams's Library, 14 Gordon Square, London, WC1H 0AR 020 73873727 |
Description of collection, including approximate number of books | Focus on Congregational hymnody and more generally dissenting hymnology. Includes some music. Payne Collection c. 1000 total around 4000. |
Any special or notable items? | |
Web address and online catalogue (if applicable) | https://dwlib.koha-ptfs.co.uk/ |
Opening hours and access for visitors and researchers. | By appointment Monday to Thursday 10.00 to 17.00hrs (late nights to 18.30 on Tuesday and Thursday) |
Facilities and services offered to visitors and researchers | Imaging |
Notes and further information |
Name of Hymnology collection | Rainbow Collection |
Name of Library and/or Institution | King’s College London |
Contact details –postal address, phone number, email address | Foyle Special Collections Library, King’s College London, Chancery Lane, London WC2A 1LR 020 7848 1843 specialcollections@kcl.ac.uk |
Description of collection, including approximate number of books | The library of Dr Bernarr Rainbow (1914-98), Director of Music at the College of St Mark and St John, Chelsea, was presented to King's College London in 1973. Its strengths lie in Christian and Jewish hymnals and other liturgical music. The collection contains 686 volumes. |
Any special or notable items? | |
Web address and online catalogue (if applicable) | https://www.kcl.ac.uk/library/archivespec/special-collections/Individualcollections/rainbow.aspx Web page contains link to online catalogue of the collection |
Opening hours and access for visitors and researchers. | Monday-Friday, 9.30-17.00 All external users must present a photographic form of identification, e.g. passport, driving licence, university ID card, or a letter of introduction. |
Facilities and services offered to visitors and researchers | Self-service photography allowed. Digital image service available. Light box available. Day pass provision for access to adjacent Maughan Library. Wi-Fi available. PC in Reading Room providing walk-in visitor access to internet and to a selection of electronic journals and databases. |
Notes and further information |
Name of Hymnology collection | Salvation Army Collection |
Name of Library and/or Institution | Salvation Army International Heritage Centre |
Contact details –postal address, phone number, email address | William Booth College, London, SE5 8BQ 020 7326 7800 heritage@salvationarmy.org.uk |
Description of collection, including approximate number of books | Comprehensive holdings covering hymn and song publications of The Salvation Army and its predecessor, the Christian Mission, 1866-present c.500 volumes |
Any special or notable items? | Various editions of The Revival Hymn Book and The Christian Mission Hymn Book, 1866-1876 The Song Book of The Salvation Army (6 editions, 1878-2015) Annual volumes of the periodical, The Musical Salvationist, 1886-1967 Salvation Army song books in various non-English languages (including Hindi, Mandarin, Norwegian, Serbian, Spanish & Welsh) |
Web address and online catalogue (if applicable) | www.salvationarmy.org.uk/uki/heritage Online catalogue: www.calmview.eu/SalvationArmy/CalmView |
Opening hours and access for visitors and researchers. | Tuesday-Friday 9.30am-4pm Open to the public with an on-site museum. An appointment is recommended for a research visit. |
Facilities and services offered to visitors and researchers | Reprographics |
Notes and further information |
Name of Hymnology collection | Hymn Collection of John Rylands |
Name of Library and/or Institution | John Rylands Library, University of Manchester |
Contact details –postal address, phone number, email address | John Rylands Library, 150 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 3EH +44 (0)161 275 3764 uml.special-collections@manchester.ac.uk |
Description of collection, including approximate number of books | The collection comes from the personal library of John Rylands at Longford Hall in Stretford and it consists of 60,000 English and other hymns of varying theological origin, pasted in to 34 large folio volumes in preparation for the 1885 publication of Hymns for the Church Universal. Approximately 60,000 items. |
Any special or notable items? | |
Web address and online catalogue (if applicable) | More information about the collection (which has a manuscript index) is available at: http://www.library.manchester.ac.uk/search-resources/special-collections/guide-to-special-collections/atoz/hymn-collection-of-john-rylands/ |
Opening hours and access for visitors and researchers. | Normal reading room opening hours are Monday-Saturday, 10am - 5pm (until 7pm on Thursdays). The Reader Service is closed on public holidays. Readers are required to register on their first visit, which requires two forms of ID. |
Facilities and services offered to visitors and researchers | More information is available at: http://www.library.manchester.ac.uk/special-collections/access-the-special-collections/using-the-reading-rooms/ |
Notes and further information |
Name of Hymnology collection | Maynooth University Library Music Collection |
Name of Library and/or Institution | Russell Library and Maynooth University Library |
Contact details –postal address, phone number, email address | Maynooth University Library Maynooth Co. Kildare, Ireland 01-7083890 or 01-4747423 library.russell@mu.ie or library.specialcollections@mu.ie |
Description of collection, including approximate number of books | The Russell Library contains approximately 34,000 printed works dating from the 16th to the mid-19th centuries across a range of subjects including music. Of these, c. 100 titles and some 150 volumes form the core music collection of pre-1850 imprints consisting of sacred and liturgical music, Irish music, various scores and works in music literature. In addition, music-related material can be found within the incunabula, manuscripts, pamphlets and archival collections. The Library holds many general and specialist music collections – including Analecta Hymnica Medii Aevii; Lessico della Letteratura Musical Italiana 1490-1950; Paleographie Musicale; Denkmaler Deutscher Tonkunst and Maitres Musiciens de la Rennaissance – as well as reference works and histories, scores and sheet music particularly from the 19th century onwards. Collected Editions of composers works include: Bach; Beethoven; Berlioz; Berg; Brahms; Bruckner; Byrd; Chopin; Corelli; Couperin; Dvorák; G. de Machaut; Handel; Haydn; Lasso; Lully; Mendelssohn; Monteverdi; Mozart; Palestrina; Pergolesi; Purcell; Rachmaninoff; Rameau; Schubert (AGA and NGA); Schultz; R. Strauss; Victoria and Vivaldi. The Library also subscribes to over 500,000 eBooks with wide access, on and off-campus, to music literature publications and related music titles. |
Any special or notable items? | The Library is very rich in sacred vocal music and early sung liturgical sources are represented by the special collections Analecta Hymnica Medii Aevi and Paleographie Musicale. Irish, English and Continental imprints span the centuries, from a Sarum Missal (Paris 1526) to a Mass by Irish composer Séan Ó Ríada, Ceol an Aifrinn (Dublin 1971), and beyond. Our earliest printed edition is a Processionarium of the Dominican Rite, produced in Seville, 1494. Sacred music holdings include a large and diverse number of graduals, hymnals and psalters; a large and wide-ranging collection of plainchant (music, secondary literature and recordings) and collected editions of sacred music composers including Byrd, Palestrina, Victoria and Purcell. Many late 19th and early 20th century European musicological publications and scores were acquired for the Library by Heinrich Bewerunge, first professor of music in Maynooth, who held the Chair of Church Chant and Organ from 1888 to 1923. His interests in Renaissance polyphony and chant restoration are reflected in the collection. One of our many specialist research collections is the music library of French composer, Gabriel Baille (1832-1909). His music library, held in Special Collections & Archives, contains much of interest, particularly with regard to 19th century French editions of organ music and sacred music. The English choral tradition is also well represented, featuring Tudor Church Music, Early English Church Music and publications relating to Anglican church music. Maynooth’s tradition of organ music is evidenced by the wide range of repertoire and secondary sources contained within the Library. |
Web address and online catalogue (if applicable) | Maynooth University Library: https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/library LibrarySearch: http://nuim.summon.serialssolutions.com/#!/ |
Opening hours and access for visitors and researchers. | Special Collections & Archives at Maynooth University operates from two service points: The state-of-the-art Special Collections & Archives Reading Room located in the John Paul II Library which contains limited and illustrated editions, autographed copies, large format volumes and facsimiles dated after 1851; and the Historic Russell Library which houses the historical collections, including the music collections of St Patrick’s College, Maynooth. The Russell Library is a research library, open to staff and students of the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, and St Patrick’s College, Maynooth. The Russell Library is also open to academic visitors, researchers from other institutions and to external readers. Material at the Russell Library can be consulted by making an appointment by telephone on 01-7083890 , or by email at library.russell@mu.ie Russell Library Opening Hours 10:00-17:00 Service Hours 10:00-17:00 Closed for lunch 13:00-14:00 The Russell Library is closed on Tuesdays and Fridays. Special Collections & Archives (John Paul II Library) Opening hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday mornings - 10:00-13:00 Tuesday 10:00-17:00 Closed for lunch 13:00-14:00 Special Collections is closed on Fridays. |
Facilities and services offered to visitors and researchers | Access to the Russell Library reading room Access to the reading room is via four short flights of stairs. Wheelchair access is currently unavailable. Visitors may request a tour of the Russell Library and its collections. Exhibitions can be viewed on a drop-in basis during Russell Library opening hours. Finding the Russell Library The Russell Library is on the south campus in St Mary’s quadrangle. Entering the building by the President’s Arch at the back of St Joseph’s Square, turn left and follow the cloister. Ring the Russell Library doorbell to gain admittance. Reprography The library does not photocopy early-printed books and manuscripts. Digital images may be ordered provided there is no breach of copyright, and subject to a condition appraisal by the Librarian. These images are for private study only. Should they be required for reproduction, permission must first be sought from the Librarian. Teaching support The Russell Library collections span ten centuries and a wide range of subjects. In support of departmental programmes, we teach classes which include the following:
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Notes and further information | For more information, please contact the Special Collections Librarian, Barbara McCormack. Email: barbara.mccormack@mu.ie Phone: +353 1 708 3890/3882 |
Name of Hymnology collection | Wesley Historical Society Library |
Name of Library and/or Institution | Wesley Historical Society Library, Oxford Centre for Methodism and Church History |
Contact details –postal address, phone number, email address | Oxford Brookes University Harcourt Hill, Oxford OX2 9AT O1865 488455 (admin.) admin.ocmch@brookes.ac.uk |
Description of collection, including approximate number of books | Methodist hymn books (all denominations). Approx. 250+ hymn books and booklets. |
Any special or notable items? | Early copies of Wesley/Methodist hymn books, including many first editions. |
Web address and online catalogue (if applicable) | https://www.brookes.ac.uk/hpc/research/oxford-centre-for-methodism-and-church-history/ http://wesleyhistoricalsociety.org.uk/library.html https://capitadiscovery.co.uk/brookes/ [to change in August 2018] |
Opening hours and access for visitors and researchers. | Mon-Fri, 9.00am – 4.30pm, by prior appointment. Steps to research room: users with mobility difficulties can use main campus library and items will be brought from Centre stacks. |
Facilities and services offered to visitors and researchers | Copying (digital photography preferred). Toilets, refectory. |
Notes and further information | The Centre also has a seminar, publications and research programme, including research degrees. |
Name of Hymnology collection | Athelstan Riley collection (Other hymn books, and many works on and of liturgy also in main collections) |
Name of Library and/or Institution | Pusey House Library and Archive |
Contact details –postal address, phone number, email address | Pusey House Library and Archive, 61 St Giles, Oxford, OX1 3LZ |
Description of collection, including approximate number of books | Athelstan Riley collection: ca. 150, chiefly 19th century liturgical and some musical books which Riley used to aid in the compilation of the English Hymnal. Liturgy and liturgics in main collections: ca. 1000 volumes of which ca. 100 are hymnbooks |
Any special or notable items? | Archives include some specially compiled office books for use in 19th century Anglican convents. |
Web address and online catalogue (if applicable) | Website: http://www.puseyhouse.org.uk/library.html Catalogue: http://solo.bodleian.ox.ac.uk (Select ‘Pusey House Library’ to isolate relevant collections. Cataloguing of main collection expected to be complete in 2021) |
Opening hours and access for visitors and researchers. | 9.30-5.25 Monday-Friday, no appointment required. For further information see http://www.puseyhouse.org.uk/visit-the-library.html |
Facilities and services offered to visitors and researchers | Self-service and mediated photography; wifi; laptop charging points; very photogenic library with 60 desk spaces! |
Notes and further information |
Name of Hymnology collection | The Colles Library |
Name of Library and/or Institution | Royal School of Church Music |
Contact details –postal address, phone number, email address | 19, The Close, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP1 2EB UK library@rscm.com |
Description of collection, including approximate number of books | 1600 hymn books and pamphlets, over 170 of which are 19C. 190 general books about hymnody and hymnal companions. 450 items (books and music) relating to plainchant including the complete publications of the Plainchant Publications Committee and many publications of the Plainsong & Medieval Music Society. |
Any special or notable items? | The Maurice Frost Collection of Hymnody: Following his death in 1961, the unique collection of 16 C to 19 C hymn and psalm tune books collected by the Revd. Maurice Frost, together with some of his own books, passed to the RSCM. These have been on extended loan to the Royal College of Music and are currently available for inspection there by special arrangement. Proof editor’s annotated copies of Hymns A&M 1904, 1916 and 1944 – the latter contains letters to, and notes by, Maurice Frost. Material submitted to Sir Sydney Nicholson for inclusion in Hymns A&M (Revised). A study of hymns ancient and modern 1860-1875: Thesis by Susan Drain. |
Web address and online catalogue (if applicable) | Yes, but currently in the process of moving to a new server. - url to follow |
Opening hours and access for visitors and researchers. | The library is unmanned but can be visited on weekdays between 11.00am and 4.00pm by appointment with the Librarian library@rscm.com. There is no charge for visiting RSCM members, non-members are asked to make a suitable donation. |
Facilities and services offered to visitors and researchers | Whilst the library is in temporary accommodation, facilities are minimal – a toilet and coffee! |
Notes and further information | The Colles Library is reference only, borrowing is not permitted. Scans and photocopies of non-copyright material are usually possible. |