The Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society SANHS

 

The books that comprise the society's library have been put together since the society was formed. It is easy to be put off by the resulting size of the collection, and by its old-fashioned fixed location shelf order, but a little time and effort expended on overcoming these obstacles will be amply rewarded.

The library contains some 30,000 books, as many as 1,000 of them published before 1800, covering every conceivable aspect of Somerset's past, and much of wider application as well. There are long runs, also commencing as far back as the 18th century, of all the established journals on British archaeology, and there are collections of many thousands of topographical drawings, prints and photographs.

History, archaeology and the humanities generally are kept in a separate room alongside the Somerset Studies Library, Paul Street, Taunton. Both rooms are on the first floor (with a choice of stairs or lift) of Taunton Library, which is close to the town centre and below the multi-storey car park.

Natural history and geology are kept on the first floor of the society's rooms in Taunton Castle, Taunton, Somerset TA1 4AD, telephone 0 1823 272429, which are generally open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9.30 am - 12.30 pm and from 2.00 pin to 5.00 pm. A few duplicate items on history and archaeology are kept here as well.

In both places the books are shelved according to a clearly marked sequence of letters and numbers, with alphabetical author/title/etc. catalogues. The catalogue for the Tite Collection of books on Somerset takes the form of a bound typescript volume, and the rest of the library is covered by card catalogues.

Journals at Paul Street are shelved in alphabetical order of their titles, and the Somerset Studies Library has a computer index of the articles on Somerset subjects in them.

A separate collection, on the first floor corridor in Paul Street, comprises most of the texts and calendars which have been published by the Public Record Office and its predecessors.

Photocopies are obtainable in both buildings, and colour photocopies, microfilm enlargements, and photographs (to order) in Paul Street.

The society is the owner of a large collection of manuscripts, but these have all been deposited in the Somerset Record Office, Obridge Road, Taunton, Somerset, TA2 7PU, telephone (01823) 337600, where they may be consulted by prior appointment. A summary catalogue of them is in Proceedings, vols 113 and 114, and a full one on shelf AR1 in the society's room in Paul Street.

Only members are admitted to the society's rooms and permitted to borrow from its library, so please be prepared to produce a current membership card and to sign the admission register on arrival.