Library

A work in progress: building a fully functional maritime library.

A library attached to a museum is one of its greatest assets. A dedicated team of volunteers is meticulously recording a vast amount of printed and written material to be incorporated into our maritime museum library.

The library will serve as a treasure trove of knowledge, transforming our collection of books, technical journals, shipping logs, newspaper clippings and photographs into a valuable resource, adding to a deeper understanding of human seafaring.

The intellectual engine room

A library is an essential adjunct to a museum. It can function as the intellectual engine room of the institution, offering historical context for researchers, museum staff, students and the wider community.

An onsite library is indispensable for the museum's curatorial and conservation teams. It serves as vital documentation for the physical exhibits, especially when reconstructing items of historical significance. A library can enable student access to the primary and secondary sources essential for academic research. Maritime history encompasses a vast array of disciplines, including economic history, naval architecture, marine ecology and anthropology.

Tracing your family's journey

Maritime libraries can also be invaluable for genealogical research. Among the library archives we are building are passenger manifests, crew lists, shipping line records, diaries and photographs. Thousands of individuals visit maritime archives every year hoping to trace their ancestors' journeys across the seas. Providing public access to these records will create a deeply personal connection to the museum.

Preserving fragile heritage

A maritime library serves many purposes, whether general interest, education, academic research, naval history, tracing family history, or igniting the desire for further study. It also plays a vital role in preserving ephemeral heritage. While large artefacts such as anchors and navigation instruments are durable, the paper trails of maritime history are highly vulnerable to time and decay. By collecting, cataloguing and digitising these fragile documents, the library ensures that the human voices of the maritime past are not lost.

We are a "work in progress", working towards establishing a fully functional maritime library.