Last updated |
11th February 2005 |
Name of library |
Wimborne Minster Chained Library |
Address |
Garden House, Cuthburga Road, Wimborne Minster, Dorset BH21 1LH |
Telephone |
01202 887681 |
Fax |
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E-mail |
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Website |
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Alternative names |
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Contact & Job Title |
Mrs. Judith L. Monds or Mr. Frank Tandy (01202 840642) |
Purpose & main user community of the library |
Set up as one of the first public libraries in 1686 and still open to the public on a regular basis. |
Terms of access |
We are open from Easter Monday until the end of October each year at the times stated below. Special Collections appointments are sometimes made. |
Opening hours |
M-F 10.30-12.30, 14.00-16.00; Sa 10.30-12.30, in season, and weddings permitting. |
Disabled access |
26 step spiral staircase (left-handed defence). Plans are in hand for display downstairs. |
Lending to other libraries & visitors |
No. None. |
Number of volumes |
Over 400 |
Periodicals – Back Issues |
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Current Periodicals |
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Other materials |
One complete manuscript dated 1343 and some further pages. Music manuscripts also. |
Volumes added per year |
One |
Coverage |
The library contains an excellent theological content. |
Special Collections |
Early English Organ music, including works by Giibons, Purcell, Tallis, Weelkes, and Bird. |
Manuscripts |
Our only full Ms is ‘The Regimen Animarum’ or Direction of Souls, Completed in 1343. Some fragments of earlier works exist. |
Research resource |
Almost every Christian religious thought occurs within our books. |
Catalogue Type |
Card |
URL of catalogue |
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Other facilities |
Photocopying occasionally permitted. Some of the music is on microfilm, but we have no reading in the library. The works can be accessed at the Pendlebury Music Library |
Full Time Staff |
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Part Time Staff |
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Voluntary Staff |
36 |
Changes in next five years affecting the above |
An exhibition for those unable to negotiate the stairs is planned for 2004. |
Anything else about the library |
The library is manned by a team of volunteers and receives no governemnt or other funding. Donations (usually c. 50p per adult visitor) are therefore appreciated. |