British Universities Film & Video Council

moving image and sound, knowledge and access

SHAKESPEARE CENTRE LIBRARY

Description
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust Library (founded 1862) and the Library of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre (founded 1880) were amalgamated in 1964. The Library is a research collection on Shakespeare’s life, work and times, and on the stage history of his plays. Film and television materials have been added since the late 1970s. The Library purchases videos of Shakespeare films, television documentaries or productions relating to Shakespeare and to the Royal Shakespeare Company, as its budget allows. RSC archive includes production videos received on deposit since the 1980s.
Website
http://www.shakespeare.org.uk/library.htm
Keywords
Shakespeare, William; Stratford-upon-Avon
Access
Access available. Mon-Fri 10.00-17.00. Sat 09.30-12.30. Staff are available to assist. Access for disabled. Please telephone in advance.
Facilities
Viewing on premises. Viewing by arrangement in advance. RSC production videos may not be viewed by groups larger than six.
Charges
Staff time is not usually available to carry out research. No charge for literary use or viewing.
Copyright
Some copyright is held. Copyright advice available. Copyright adviser: Sylvia Morris.

Moving Image, Audio and Related Documentation Holdings

Video/Film
Video: 1,505 reels/cassettes. The video archive grows at a rate of 30+ titles a year.Documentary, feature films, archive recordings of theatre performances.
Video components: VHS Video, hi-band U-Matic.
Film: 20 cans. 20% colour film, 80% black and white film. Amateur, documentary, feature films.
Film components: 16mm, 35mm, positive film, negative film.

Catalogues

Computerised database
Available, relating to RSC productions and personnel.
Online catalogue
http://www.shakespeare.org.uk/main/3/313
Card catalogue
Available, indexed. (Videos are separately listed.)

Additional Information

Notes
Main catalogue was published on microfiche in 1990 as part 7 of Shakespeare at Stratford-upon-Avon(Emmet, 1990). RSC production database available for reference, to be published by Greenwood as a supplement for 1978-90 to Theatre at Stratford-upon-Avon: A Catalogue/Index, by Michael Mullin (Greenwood 1978; supplement 1995).
Other information
Press clippings of all Royal Shakespeare Company work including films and television productions are filed in the library’s ‘Theatre Records’. ‘Theatre Records’ published on microfiche for 1875-1975 as part 2 of Shakespeare at Stratford-upon-Avon(Emmet, 1990).

Main Contact

Job title
Senior Librarian
Telephone
01789-201803
Fax
01789-296083
Email
library@shakespeare.org.uk
Address
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
Henley Street
Stratford-upon-avon
CV37 6QW

Record Stats

This record has been viewed 1153 times.