The Shorthand Place
The Shorthand Place: Library Collections
- The British Library
- The Carlton Collection, University of London
- Chethams Library
- Pucknall Collection, Exeter Central Library
- Glasgow Libraries
- Guildhall Library, City of London
- Incorporated Phonographic Society
- National Library of Scotland
- St. Bride Printing Library, London
- The Pitman Collection, Bath University
- The Leslie Collection, USA
The Shorthand Place: Library Collections
Libraries of shorthand material
Library collections on shorthand
A number of libraries have special collections of books and archive materials on shorthand. The serious student and researcher will find these library collections very useful sources of information about shorthand and its historical development.
Important!
If you know of other collections of shorthand materials please send an email with details to info@t-script.co.uk
United Kingdom
The British Library
Location:
- 96 Euston Road, London NW1 2DB
Tel. (020) 7412 7676
Access
- General enquiries about the library collection;
Tel: (020) 7412 7676.
Email: reader-srvices-enquiries@bl.uk - Admission to use the reference collection is by prior permission;
Tel: (020) 7412 7677
Email: Reader-Admissions@bl.uk
Website: www.bl.uk
The Carlton Collection
Location
- University of London (Senate House Library),
Senate House, Malet St.
London, WC1E 7HU, U.K.
Tel. (020) 7862 8470
Name
- Carlton, William (1886-1973)
Periods
- 16th century - 20th century
Creator
- Carlton, William, 1886-1973
(Carlton was a collector of all things concerning the history of shorthand)
Content
- Manuscripts written in and about shorthand, 16th-20th centuries
Access
- Unrestricted for purposes of private study and personal research within the controlled environment and restrictions of the Library's Palaeography Room.
Contact the University Archivist for details.
Website: www.ull.ac.uk/historic/carlton.shtml
Email: enquiries@shl.lon.ac.uk
Chethams Library
Location
- Library, Long Millgate,
Manchester M3 1SB
Tel. (0161) 834-7961
Fax. (0161) 839-5797
Content
- History of shorthand. Includes John Byrom’s library collection and the John Harland collection.
Access
- Access to the collections is free, but prior application to the Librarian is required, by telephone, fax or email.
Email: librarian@chethams.org.uk
Exeter Central Library
Location
- Castle Street, Exeter,
Devon EX4 3PQ
Tel. (01392) 384 206
Fax. (01392) 384 208
Content
- Includes the Pocknell collection.
Access
- Apply to the Library Manager, by letter, telephone, email or in person.
Website: www.devon.gov.uk/library - The Pocknell shorthand collection is held in the West Country Studies Library (housed at Exeter Central Library). The online catalogue of this collection may be accessed at www.devon.gov.uk/etched
Glasgow Libraries
Location
- Glasgow Libraries, Information & Learning.
The Mitchell Library, North Street, Glasgow G3 7DN
Tel. (0141) 287 2999 (enquiries)
Fax. (0141) 287 2815
Content
- Includes the Donald Purchase (shorthand) 400 volumes.
Access
- Apply to the Director of Library services.
Website: www.glasgowlibraries.org Email: lil@cls.glasgow.gov.uk
Guildhall Library, City of London
Location
- Aldernanbury, London EC2 P2E
Tel. (020) 7332 1868
Fax. (020) 7600 3384
Content
- History of shorthand.
Access
- Apply to the Principal Reference Librarian.
Website: www.corpoflondon.gov.uk
Incorporated Phonographic Society
Location
- Bishopsgate Institute, 230 Bishopsgate,
London EC2M 4QH
Tel. (020) 8684 9984
Fax. (020) 8684 9984
Content
- Books about or printed in Pitman’s shorthand, General history of shorthand.
Access
- Apply to the Administrator, by letter, telephone or email.
Website: www.the-ipa.org.uk
National Library of Scotland
Location
- George lV Bridge,
Edinburgh EH1 1EW
Tel. (0131) 226 4531
Fax. (0131) 622 4803
Access
- Apply to the Librarian.
Website: www.nls.uk
Email: enquiries@nls.uk
St. Bride Printing Library, London
Location
- Bride Lane, Fleet Street,
London EC4Y 8EE
Tel. (020) 7353 4660
Fax. (020)7583 7073.
Collection
- Manuals and periodicals on shorthand (about 3,000 items)
Access
- Apply to the Librarian, by letter, telephone, email or in person.
Email: stbride@corpoflondon.gov.uk
The Pitman Collection
Location
- Library and Learning Centre, University of Bath,
Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, U.K.
Tel. (01225) 826826
Fax (01225) 826229.
Name
- Pitman Collection
Periods
- 19th-20th centuries, predominantly U.K.
Creator
- Sir Isaac Pitman and his grandson Sir James Pitman
Content
- A collection of printed, manuscript, audiovisual materials and artefacts; includes over 7300 monographs and serials on the history of shorthand.
Access
- By arrangement with the University Librarian.
Tel: 01225 826 084
Website: www.bath.ac.uk/library Email: library@bath.ac.uk
United States of America
The Leslie Collection
Location
- Rider College, 2083 Lawrenceville Road,
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648-3099.
Tel. (609) 896-5000
Fax. (609) 896-8029.
Name
- The Louis A. Leslie Collection of Historical Shorthand Materials.
Periods
- 1710-1970's.
Creator
- Louis A. Leslie (ex-Chief Editor of the Gregg Publishing Co.)
Content
- ca. 12,000 books and periodicals on shorthand, typing and the history of shorthand education; contains examples of every important shorthand ever invented (and many unsuccessful systems).
Access
- Apply to the College Librarian.
Website: http://library.rider.edu/archive_collections