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.

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.

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.)

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).

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

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