It includes most of our sixteenth and seventeenth century English books, many eighteenth century English, Continental, and American imprints, most of our 19th century imprints, and a good deal of our modern literature. The William Savage Johnson Manuscripts Reading Room contains printed books covering basic palaeography, manuscript studies, and diplomatics. Other reference works, including the Orbis Collection on the history of cartography, are shelved in the stacks and must be called for. Most of our MSS are unpublished, and many deal with obscure people. Samples of broad subject areas, with some illustrative collections.
All readers are welcome.
All material must be used within the Department. No special proof of academic standing or need is required for using printed matter or catalogued non-fragile manuscripts, but proof of identity, including at least one piece of identification including a photograph, is required before use of the Department. Before using any manuscript for the first time, the reader must be interviewed by the Manuscripts Librarian. It is wise for new readers of manuscripts to make an appointment beforehand with the Manuscripts Librarian, who will be happy to help in finding relevant manuscripts. She is glad to talk with those needing help with manuscripts in general, and to show groups manuscripts which are applicable to their particular interests.