Tips for Searching the Collections

If you know what you are looking for, type the details into the ‘search box’ (see above left) and click the
button which reads ‘Search the Catalogue’.

You can choose to search all fields or a subset, such as Author, Title or Full Text.

If you do not know exactly what you are looking for, or wish to browse the broader collections, you should leave the ‘search box’ empty and click the button which reads ‘Browse All Records’. This will show you a visualisation by year of the 40,000 items in the collection above a list of results, which is sorted by date.
On the right-hand side of the results page, you will see a heading which gives you a range of options to narrow your search (including by year of publication, language and controlled vocabulary terms).

Many of our readers find it very useful to be able to limit their searches to one or more of the six named
sub-collections which make up the bulk of our historic materials. These sub-collections are listed on
the catalogue as:

• Stillingfleet. The 10,726 books in the 1^st gallery of the library which belonged to Edward
  Stillingfleet (1635-99).
• Benjamin Iveagh. The 4,117 books in Farmleigh House in the Phoenix Park which belonged
  to Benjamin, 3rd Earl of Iveagh (1937-92).
• Bouhéreau. The 3,466 books in our historic Old Reading Room which belonged to the
  Huguenot refugee, Dr Élie Bouhéreau (1643-1719).
• Marsh. The 2,811 books in the 2^nd gallery of the library which belonged to our founder,
  Narcissus Marsh (1638–1713).
• Stearne. The 2,114 books in the 2^nd gallery of the library which belonged to Dr John Stearne
  (1660–1745).
• Archives and Manuscripts. A collection of 1,220 items. These consist of manuscripts owned
  by the five individuals listed above and those donated subsequently by a range of individuals
  and institutions, as well as the historic archives of Marsh’s Library.

Tips for Ordering Books and Manuscripts

When you have found a book or a manuscript you wish to consult, click on the link beside the title that says +Add to Book Bag. This book bag can then be emailed directly to the librarian in the Reading Room who will have the material ready in advance of your scheduled visit. You can also email a copy to yourself. Please note, for security reasons our shelfmarks do not appear on the public catalogue. Your book bag request to the librarian will have the necessary information, but the version you receive will not contain any shelfmarks.

Rules for Readers

On your first visit, you will be asked for photographic identification. You must read and sign our Regulations for consulting manuscripts and rare books before any items can be issued to you.
A copy of the latest version of these Regulations can be found here.

Feedback

If there are any features you would like to see added to our online catalogue, please do get in contact by emailing reading.room@marshlibrary.ie