The Stephen Badger Library of Pilgrimage
The Confraternity Library, named in memory of its first librarian, is built around a core of works on the history of the pilgrimage to Santiago and individuals' experience of it, past and present. There are a number of works on the art and architecture of the Way; guides to the route and to Spain and France; the publications of fellow pilgrim associations; and a growing collection of works on pilgrimage, and the cult of Saint James, in the British Isles. Our policy is to keep abreast of new publications (in French, German and Spanish as well as English), and gradually to acquire what is missing from the past. We shall maintain our primary focus on the Santiago pilgrimage, but as funds allow, plan to develop our holding of books on the theology, spirituality, and sociology of pilgrimage in general, and on other pilgrimage destinations.
The index to the CSJ Bulletin (the 100th issue was published at the time of our 25th anniversary) is included in the catalogue. The library currently holds some 4,500 items (including the Bulletin index).
Since 2007, the library has offered bibliographic hospitality to the small but growing collection of the Confraternity of Pilgrims to Rome, and for the time being, the same catalogue gives access to both collections.
The Library is housed at our office at 27 Blackfriars Road, London SE1, just south of Blackfriars Bridge (how to find us). It is available for consultation when the office is open, and at other times by prior arrangement with the Secretary. The office is always open on Thursdays between 11.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m., and at some other times, so it is worth a phone call to the office if you cannot come on a Thursday.
The catalogue database - which includes a complete index to the CSJ Bulletin - has been searchable on-line since 1 March 2006. Please try it out - we're rather proud of it! - and let us have your comments.
Members of either Confraternity in the UK may borrow items from the library for three weeks (five weeks in the case of loans overseas). Non-members may consult the library by arrangement with the Secretary, but may not borrow from it.
The collection is increasingly strong in personal accounts of the experience of the Santiago pilgrimage, past and present, and we make a point of collecting unpublished pilgrimage diaries. Indeed, a recent Canadian pilgrim, sending us his diary, says in a covering note: "I think the idea of a central resource is very important, and I am gratified that the Confraternity has undertaken this task." If you keep a diary of your pilgrimage, or record your experience and impressions later, please consider giving a copy to the library, so that others may share and benefit from your experience.
Other library resources
Try the Bibliotheca Anglo-Galiciana http://web.slais.ucl.ac.uk/2004/p036/p036gug/index.html for early C20 English travel books on Galicia. Not much in it, but a very different viewpoint from today. Thanks to Peter Robins (who liked the photo of the oxen pulling a broken-down motorbus) for this link!
The Digital Image Library
Our digital image library Santiago Pilgrims' Pictures, launched in January 2007, is a searchable collection of high-quality digital images illustrating the pilgrimage to Santiago. To see the collection click on this picture! |
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The Slide Library
The Confraternity also has a slide library, containing some 2,600 slides, which are available for loan (but not for copying) to members in the United Kingdom giving talks about the pilgrimage. Write to the Slide Librarian, c/o the Office, for more information.