16th September 2015 admin

Library

The Committee’s Terms of Reference are to develop the Council’s Library and raise the profile of its work on bells and ringing by ensuring that:

  • it acts as an up-to-date information source
  • the archive material is maintained in good condition for consultation
  • relevant research is encouraged and made available

(As approved at the Central Council meeting in Norwich on 3rd June 2002)

The Library

While the Central Council Library collects material on bells and ringing, it is not just an archive but a working collection. It is intended to be available not only to the serious researcher but also to the casual enquirer who wishes to find out something about some aspect of ringing.

Enquiries can be made to the Library Steward, Alan Glover, as follows:

  • email (email)
  • telephone (01743 891407)
  • post (Six Bells House, Worthen, Shropshire SY5 9HT, UK)
  • personal visit (as the library is held in a private house, it is necessary to make prior arrangements before visiting)

More modern books can be borrowed for up to two months by members of societies affiliated to the Central Council, but the earlier and more valuable books and manuscript items cannot be borrowed and can only be consulted in the library. There are detailed indexes for ringing periodicals that can be used to save time in the search for information. Photocopying facilities are available, so that items can be copied in response to requests. This is charged at 10p per sheet, plus postage. The librarian is prepared to spend time looking up topics in the library, but should this take a long time he would expect a donation towards the work of the Library Committee.

Acquisition Policy

The Central Council library is very comprehensive on church bells and change ringing and it is the intention to maintain that status. Thus efforts are made to obtain a copy of any relevant book that is published, either by donation or purchase. Efforts are also made to obtain any earlier books, or editions of books, that the library does not hold.

It is also our aim to hold complete sets of annual reports for ringing associations, and great strides have been made in recent years, not only in filling gaps but also with binding up runs of these in order to conserve them. Newsletters too are of interest, but our collection is not as good as it might be.

The library holds duplicates of a number of books, but at present there is no policy of disposal. If a donation was offered to the library of books of which we have more than one copy then this would be declined with thanks unless the copy offered had unusual characteristics, perhaps out of a notable collection or maybe a proof copy. Otherwise we would suggest that the book would be better placed in the local association library. If it is decided to dispose of it otherwise, advice can be given on this.

For a few books, where we have more than one copy, one of them has been deposited on long-term loan to a Guild or Association library. The borrowing library is asked to insure the loan, and a periodic check is made to see if the book is still there.

The library also holds a collection of ephemera – material that is not designed to be kept but is nonetheless very interesting, such as broadsheets, peal cards, etc. Clearly there is a mass of such material and what is kept in the library is very selective, so if you wish to donate similar material to the library, please check with the librarian first to see if it is appropriate. Space is limited!

Committee members

The committee consists of the Library Steward and six elected members, one-third of whom shall retire and be eligible for re-election for a three-year term at each future Central Council annual meeting:

                                                          Alan Glover, Library Steward  Shropshire Association

Photo of Linda FodderingLinda Foddering Chairman Middlesex County Association & London Diocesan Guild
(email)
26 Langham Gardens, Wembley, Middx, HA0 3RG, UK
020 8908 3092

Photo of Paul JohnsonPaul Johnson Swansea and Brecon Diocesan Guild
(email)
Neuadd, Llangorse, Brecon, Powys LD3 7TS, UK
01874 658670

Photo of Jenny LawrenceJenny Lawrence Hereford Diocesan Guild
(email)

Photo of Sue MarsdenSue Marsden Ely Diocesan Association
(email)
11 Highbury Street, Peterborough, PE1 3BE, UK
07506 797814

Photo of Ian SelfIan Self Truro Diocesan Guild
(email)
The Sycamores, Parc Vean, Coach Lane, Redruth, Cornwall TR15 2TT, UK
01209 211686

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