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Collections and Catalogues
Sharp Library
The Sharp Library is a lending library of approximately 10,000 titles of current theology in English. It is open to all clergy and laity working on behalf of the church in the dioceses of Durham and Newcastle, and students of theology in the North-East. No charge is made, but fines are imposed for the late return of loans.
- Borrowing Limit
- 5 items
- Loan Periods
- Students: 7 days
- Academic Staff: as for University Library
- Other diocesan borrowers: 4 weeks
Catalogue
Online, via Durham University Library's online catalogue; search by author, title, keyword, etc, and look for copies with shelfmarks beginning "SharpLib" or search by location "Cathedral".
Alternative resource
Diocesan users who don't find what they want in the Sharp Library may like to try the library of the North East Religious Learning Resources Centre (Carter House, Pelaw Leazes Lane, Durham DH1 1TB; telephone 0191 3750586)or try the online catalogue.
Chapter Library
The contents reflect the wide-ranging interests of the monks of Durham and the Cathedral canons who succeeded them. Less than half the books are theological. History, travel, music, art, and classics are all well represented. Material on the history, life and culture of the North-East is a special strength.
Historic Collections
- Manuscript books, 6th - 16th centuries
- Music, sacred and secular (ms and printed, chiefly 16th-19th c.)
- Collections, manuscript and printed, of the great antiquarian historians of County Durham including Hunter, Sharp, Raine, Surtees and Longstaffe
- Papers of some 19th and 20th century bishops of Durham
- Early printed books, 15th - early 19th centuries (20,000 titles)
The Library Search Room is open for consultation of these research collections during Library opening hours, by prior appointment only. Requests to consult items should be made in writing at least a week before the proposed visit. Catalogues are available in the Library, and at the University Library's Palace Green Section.
An online guide to many of the manuscript collections in the Library is available on the Durham University Archives & Special Collections website.
Modern collections
A lending library of printed books (10,000 titles) on a wide range of subjects, open to local users and (for consultation) to other serious students and researchers. Access is free.
Particular strengths are:
- Publications on the cathedral itself (history, architecture, liturgy, music), its contents and collections, and their wider historical and artistic context
- Classics of Anglican theology
- British history, especially major historical record series (PRO calendars, Rolls series, Surtees Society, etc)
- 19th century publications on antiquities and archaeology
- North-East England
- Borrowing Limit
- 5 items
- Loan Periods
- Students: 7 days
- Academic Staff: as for University Library
- Other diocesan borrowers: 4 weeks
Catalogue
Online catalogue for books acquired from 2000 onwards, and some earlier acquisitions, via Durham University Library's online catalogue.
Catalogues of the other earlier acquisitions are available in the library and at the Palace Green Section of the University Library. These books are gradually being added to the online catalogue.
Meissen Library
Origin
The gift of the Evangelische Kirche Deutschland (EKD), the German Protestant Church, to the Church of England, consequent on the Meissen agreement between the two churches.
Contents
The largest gathered collection of theology in German in England (approximately 12,000 titles). Particular strengths are the theology, history and practical life of the Protestant Church in Germany in the 19th and 20th centuries.
It also includes many kinds of books that would not normally be available outside Germany (such as sermons and pastoralia), and provides potential for some unrivalled insights into the nature of German Christianity at some key moments in its history (e.g. Deutsche Christen, under communism etc.).
Catalogue
Computerised catalogue available with the collection. An online version of this catalogue is available (please note that this catalogue is still in preparation and not all data has been checked).
Location
The Meissen Library is situated in four large rooms beneath the Deanery (including the impressive former Servants' Hall).
Enquiries and access
Contact the Honorary Librarian, Sylvia Graham (a fluent German speaker) by writing to: The Cathedral Library, The College, Durham DH1 3EH; email: library@durhamcathedral.co.uk.