Newcastle Meeting Library |
A Borrower’s Guide to Newcastle Quaker Library
Our library comprises two main collections: (i) Contemporary Collection; and (ii) Research Collection.
The Contemporary Collection, which is open-access, occupies most of the shelves in the two adjacent bookcases opposite the Office. The collection consists of books published during the second half of the last century to date. Its aim is to interest, inform and above all inspire and help Friends as they follow their individual spiritual journeys. The Borrowing Record Book, reference material, some current periodicals and three card index boxes (see below) are kept on a smaller set of open shelves to the left of these bookcases and behind the inner front door.
The Research Collection is kept in glass-fronted bookcases on the east wall of the Large Meeting Room, to the left. An exception is most of the older Swarthmore Lectures (ASR*see below) which are housed on two open shelves above the Contemporary Collection. The majority of Research Collection books were published before 1950 and are mainly of use to students and scholars of Quaker history.
Library Classification
The Library is classified as follows. In addition, the section titles are
displayed on the shelves of the Contemporary Collection.
A Quaker books (theory and practice of Quakerism)
AS sub-section for Swarthmore Lectures ASR (*see above)
B Biography (classified under name of subject not author)
C Quaker History
D Bibles and Biblical Studies
E Christianity (not specifically Quaker)
F Spirituality and Personal Growth (not specifically Christian)
G Green books (including environmental & ecological issues)
H Education
L Literature (novels, poetry, etc)
O Other Faiths
P Peace and International Relations
S Social and Economic Affairs
For each of these classifications, the class letter is followed by R for books in the Research Collection.
Thus, Research Collection biographies are classified BR as opposed to Contemporary Collection biographies which are simply B.
Each classification has three parts: the class; the first three letters of the author’s, editor’s or producing committee’s name; and the number of the book in the series with the same first two parts.
Thus, successive books by Harvey Gilman might be classified A.GIL 1, A.GIL 2 and so on. An a, b, c etc after the number denotes multiple copies of the same book.
Books in all collections (Contemporary and Research ) are indexed on traditional cards kept in three wooden boxes on the small set of open shelves behind the inner front door as described above.
The Classified Index occupies one of these.
The other two are an Alphabetical Index of authors, editors or producing committees, as appropriate.
Each book is shelved alphabetically by (i) its Class (see above) and (ii) within each class, the initial letter of its author, editor or producing committee.
How to borrow books
The Contemporary Collection is unlocked, so Friends may borrow books from it whenever they visit the Meeting House. To borrow books from the Research Library, please ask a member of the Library Committee or our Administrator.
Please enter books borrowed in the Borrowing Record Book (see above). Find the division for the initial letter of your surname and complete the relevant columns on the current page. Your contact details in the first column are especially important, ie borrower’s name & postal or email address or telephone number.
Please also complete: Date Out/Book no./Book title/and Author.
On returning books, please make sure the date returned (Date In) is entered and replace your books appropriately (see shelving description above).
Newcastle Quaker Meeting Library Committee
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