General enquiries about the Rare Books contact:
Jenny Ruthven
email: archives@soton.ac.uk or tel. 023 80593335
Search Room Bookings:
email: archives@soton.ac.uk or tel. 023 80592721
Address:
Special Collections
Hartley Library
University of Southampton
Southampton SO17 1BJ
Rare Books QL 376.4
The Rare Books sequence consists of books from the general library collections published before 1801, and items of particular significance or rarity published after that date. A recataloguing project will extend the transfer date to include books published before 1850.
The material covers a wide range of subjects, reflecting the interests of the University and its predecessors, there being an emphasis on theological, historical, philosophical and literary works.
Within the collection there are a number of smaller donated or deposited collections:
Extent: Approximately 4,000 books, ranging in date from the late 15th century to the 20th century.
Location
The Rare Books are part of Special Collections on level 4 of the Hartley Library and items are fetched for use in the Archives, Manuscripts and Rare Books Search Room.
Access
The Search Room is now open Tuesday-Thursday 1000-1600. All visits are by prior appointment and all visitors will be required to book their visit and to order their material at least 3 working days in advance. You can either book a standard booking for 1 day, for which there is a limit of 10 items or for bookings of 2 or more concurrent days then the limit is 20 items per day.
Bookings are made by emailing Archives@soton.ac.uk providing details of name, University ID number (members of the University of Southampton only), permanent residential address and contact details, date of visit and list of items to be consulted.
If you do not have a University I.D. Card, you will need to show photographic I.D. and a form of I.D. which includes your permanent residential address when you enter the Hartley Library and also when you arrive at the Search Room.
The books are listed in the Hartley Library card catalogue, which is in the Film and Music Resources Room on level 5. Rare Books are indicated by the call number prefix x or xq.
WebCat includes records for a small proportion of the Rare Books (all pre-1700 British imprints and a growing number of nineteenth century imprints)
An imprints index is also available in the Special Collections Enquiry Office.
Bound volumes cannot be photocopied but you can request photographic or microfilm copies, subject to the age and condition of the item.
See Reprographics Service for a list of the types of copy available and charges.
Rare Books QB 66
Search library collections worldwide in the following union catalogues:
Access to some collections is restricted to members of the University.
