Retrospective Cataloguing Project
The Retrospective Cataloguing Project was established to increase the number of computerised records appearing on the Library's automated catalogue and to create an on-line catalogue of the Library's printed books and pamphlets. This is in keeping with a strategy to enhance access to the Library's collections for the benefit of Quakers and researchers.
In 2002 a grant from the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust enabled the project to begin. Over the next two years the cataloguing of most of the Reading Room's open access stock was completed. This represents post-1801 material on subjects such as peace, secondary literature on anti-slavery, race relations, Quaker biography, Quaker British and American history.
In addition the 4,000 items in the Quaker Centre Resources (formerly Quaker Life Resources Room), which mostly serves the Children and Young People's work of local Quaker Meetings, was re-catalogued. Lending procedures were enhanced and these resources were then made better known among Quakers in Britain. An increase in use has resulted. In August 2005 the combined catalogue went online. Over 35,000 records can now be searched.
Reflecting the deep concern and involvement of 18th and 19th century Quakers in the campaign for the abolition of the slave-trade, the Library has a substantial collection of printed books and pamphlets. In time for the 200th anniversary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act of 1807, records for all these items were added to the on-line catalogue during the first half of 2006. An article about the Library's anti-slavery collection appeared in Quaker News Winter 2006/7.
The Library has one of the most comprehensive collections of early Quaker and anti-Quaker printed works. In July 2006 work began to register our holdings of seventeenth and eighteenth century printed books and pamphlets with the English Short Title Catalogue (ESTC).
An electronic download of the full bibliographic records was obtained, edited and added to our catalogue. Records for a further 7,400 titles are now available via our on-line catalogue.
As a complementary activity to the whole project, volunteers are rehousing and assessing the condition of our tracts and pamphlets. Recording this will help prioritise items for repair and conservation.
Current Work
The Peace Testimony is one of the most fundamental of Quaker beliefs expressed through Quaker work and activities. Quakers have always been leading activists in the British peace movement and the Library's collection of peace related materials is one of its largest subject based collections and one of the most well used by researchers.
With an eye on the various forthcoming centenaries the library has begun an 18 month-long project to ensure our peace collection is fully catalogued and available on our online catalogue.
We are thankful to the Wellcome Trust for funding which will enable our Temperance material to be added to the online catalogue. A 3-months-long project will start in May 2010.
There are still around 40,000 records to be added to the on-line catalogue, for which we continue to seek funding.
If you have any queries about any aspects of the Library's on-going retrospective cataloguing project, please email the library, library@quaker.org.uk
Donors
The Library Committee of Quaker Life Central Committee is very grateful for grants towards the Retrospective Cataloguing Project from:
Aurelius Trust
Bryan Lancaster Trust
W. A. Cadbury Trust
Edith M. Ellis Charitable Trust
Pilgrim Trust
Sir James Reckitt Charity
Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust
C.B & H.H Taylor Trust
Wellcome Trust
This page was last updated in March 2010