The Bartlett Library

The Bartlett Library houses a diverse collection of maritime reference books, periodicals and archive material for public consultation and reference, admission free.

Access the Library Catalogue here

The resources in the library contain information on many types of boat and their construction and usage, and help to provide deeper knowledge and understanding of our maritime heritage and the maritime heritage of Cornwall.

The core of the library collection was donated by J. V. Bartlett Esq., whose interest in all types of maritime craft prompted him to start a library collection in 1945. Since this time this collection has grown to include around 19,000 maritime reference books.

The Book Collection
The library's core collection falls within three main categories.

• Boats; with a special emphasis on material relating to the Museum's boats - the National Small Boat Collection.
• The Maritime Reference section; which includes an extensive run of Lloyd's Registers of Shipping and similar publications from 1788 to date, a comprehensive run of Mercantile Navy Lists from the 1860's, fully supported by a wide range of books covering such diverse topics as fishing boats, shipping company histories and aircraft carriers. While the library does not specifically focus on naval history, it does hold a representative selection of books on naval subjects.
• Periodicals, Magazines & Journals; embracing many elements of maritime enterprise from boating for pleasure to pure academic research.

Research facilities
Private researchers are very welcome. A range of finding aids for researchers are currently being developed. Amongst these are the database of Vessels built in Cornwall between 1776 and 1914; databases on the Falmouth Packet Service, its ships, commanders and routes; and a rapidly expanding index to yachting and related magazines.

Archive material
The library holds a growing collection of archive material including;

• Fox's Falmouth Arrivals, 1880 to 1997 [lacking a few years, but containing unique information on international vessels trading with Falmouth and more significantly, those arriving at Falmouth for 'orders']
• Falmouth Harbourmaster's Journals from 1880 to 19.. [which support the above]
• and Falmouth & District Pilot Boat Association records [which give an added dimension to both of the foregoing sources].

Conserving the books
Many of the books are rare or original. Specialist cleaning and conservation work is carried out by a dedicated team of Heritage volunteers from the Falmouth Decorative and Fine Arts Society.

Visiting the Library
The Bartlett Library is open free to the public for maritime research. Personal vistors wishing to make use of the library facilities should ask for directions at the Museum's enquiry desk in the entrance foyer.

Opening times
Tuesday to Saturday 10 to 5 pm. Closed SUNDAY & MONDAY.

Enquiries
The library team of dedicated volunteers are pleased to try and answer any maritime queries. Brief enquiries can be answered by telephone on 01326 214579 during advertised opening hours. A voice-mail service is on-line out of hours, and may be operating during busy periods. You can always email us at library@nmmc.co.uk

Postal enquiries should be addressed to; Bartlett Library Enquiries, National Maritime Museum Cornwall, Discovery Quay, Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 3QY

Please note: within the expertise of the volunteers on duty, enquiries are dealt with in strict order of receipt. We normally respond to queries within three to four weeks of receipt.

Links

• The Cornwall Studies Library - for further information about Cornwall www.cornwall.gov.uk
• South West Maritime History Society - for additional information on the maritime history of the south west of England www.swmaritime.org.uk
• Southampton City Library, archive and information services Maritime Collection, holding completed sets of Mercantile Navy Lists, and Lloyd's Registers of Shipping, as well as records of the Board of Trade enquiries into wrecks www.southampton.gov.uk/libraries