Collection Management

Acquisitions
Basically, this means that we try to ensure that materials required by the various departments are obtained as quickly and as economically as possible.

Organisation and Accessibility
Cataloguing and classifying items so that we know what we have, ensuring that similar things are arranged on the shelves together and allowing us to find specific items easily. The online library catalogue (link on the right-hand side of each page) gives patrons a large choice of access points to find what they are looking for, including the usual author, title and subject.

Bermuda Index
All local newspapers and some local magazines are indexed to assist patrons who are researching topics about Bermudian people or subjects. For more information about local newspapers please refer to the information provided about the Bermudiana Collection.

Bermuda National Bibliography
A quarterly list of all titles added to the Bermudiana Collection for the first time. As of 2006 this publication has been available online free of charge. For more information about the Bermuda National Bibliography please refer to the information provided about the Bermudiana Collection.

Administration of the Bermudiana Collection

Collection and preservation of a variety of print and non-print materials related to Bermuda. This includes the Legal Deposit Collection and assigning ISBNs to local publishers. Follow the links to find out more.

If you have any general questions about our services or policies please contact the Collection Management Librarian at:

Bermuda National Library
Par-la-Ville, 13 Queen Street
Hamilton HM 11, Bermuda
Tel (441)246-7050
Email ejhollis@gov.bm

Access to the Bermudiana Collection
Some copies of Bermuda materials are available on the open shelves for use in the Library but most are in the Closed Collection and are stored off-site.  Please refer to the publication The Bermudiana Collection ~ an Introduction for Researchers.

If you want to use something in the Closed Collection you will need to get special permission by filling out a Closed Collection Request Form which you can obtain at the Information Desk at the Adult Library, or download it here.  The form can be brought in or submitted via email to ejhollis@gov.bm.  Please note that we need at least 24 hours advance notice to try to fulfill your request and there will be a fee charged if material has to be retrieved from off-site storage.  Many of these materials are rare so there are special rules for use of these items.  Please refer to the publication Bermudiana Collection Policies.

We would be happy to help you with any projects, questions, etc. that you have which require use of the Bermudiana Collection.  If you have a special research question feel free to come into the Adult Library on Queen Street or contact our Local Studies Librarian at:

Bermuda National Library
Par-la-Ville, 13 Queen Street
Hamilton HM 11, Bermuda
Tel (441)295-2905
Email ejhollis@gov.bm

Bermuda Newspapers
The Bermuda National Library holds a collection of local papers preserved on microfilm.  All copies of the newspapers held in the collection were filmed, starting in the 1970s.  This means that our microfilm covers our whole collection but, since our collection has some gaps, the microfilm coverage has some gaps as well.  The Bermuda National Library’s collection of newspapers (with some gaps) consists of the following:

Royal Gazette 1784 to current date.
Bermuda Sun May 1964 to current date.
Mid-Ocean News 1961 to October 2009.
Bermuda Times March 1987 to December 1995
The Recorder 1933 to 1975

Since the Library of Congress films the local papers there is a time lag in the availability of the newspapers on microfilm.  Hard copies of current issues are available in the Reading Room or can be obtained, upon request, from the Circulation Desk.  The Bermuda National Library also offers access to our digital collection of newspapers (see link on the right).  This collection currently includes the Royal Gazette from 1784 to 1899, and the Bermuda Recorder from July 1933 to July 1975.  These digital records were made from the microfilm copies held by the Bermuda National Library.

Preservation of Bermuda Newspapers and Books
Local newspapers are sent abroad to be microfilmed so that the original papers can be preserved for future generations.  In addition to sending off current newspapers each month, a programme to digitize the microfilm reels and other Bermudiana materials began in 2007.  This exciting project will make items available to a wider audience and further protect the original print versions of titles.

The Bermuda Index
The annotated card Index, created in the late 1950s, covers the Bermuda newspapers and most local magazines from c1958 to 2000.  Collection Management has created the Bermuda Index database with entries starting in 2001.

Legal Deposit in Bermuda
The Bermuda National Library provides both national and public library services, including legal deposit for the Island’s publishing industry as defined by legislation. The first Legal Deposit legislation was the Printed Publications Act, 1971. The Legal Deposit Act, 2008, which repeals Section 5 of the Printed Publications Act, 1971, sets out the requirements regarding the deposit of new Bermuda publications in the Bermuda National Library. A small section is reproduced below:
“Delivery of copies of publications
3 (1) This section applies to—
(a) a person who publishes a publication in Bermuda; and
(b) a person who is resident in Bermuda, or whose principal place of business is in Bermuda, and who publishes, or commissions the publishing of, a publication outside Bermuda for distribution or making available in Bermuda.
(2) Subject to subsection (5), every person who publishes a publication shall within seven days after the date of publishing it deliver a copy of the publication, at their own expense, to the Head Librarian for deposit in the Bermuda National Library.
(3) The copy shall be delivered in the medium in which it is published, unless another medium is prescribed”.
Collection Management is responsible for the administration of the Legal Deposit Collection and for setting policies regarding the acquisition, organization and use of all Bermuda materials.

Bermuda National Bibliography
Collection Management is responsible for the recording and organisation of legal deposit and other Bermudiana materials and for the production of the Bermuda National Bibliography, which lists these publications.  The first issue of the Bermuda National Bibliography was published in 1984 (covering items added in 1983).  Current issues of the Bibliography are available online (link on the right-hand side of each page).

International Standard Book Number
The Bermuda National Library is the official ISBN Registering Agency for Bermuda.  To obtain an ISBN for your publication, you will have to fill out an ISBN Request Form, available via email request to ryork@gov.bm or download here.  ISBNs are assigned to local publishers within two business days after a completed request form has been received.  There is no charge for this service.

What is the exact location of Bermuda?
Geographic coordinates: Latitude: 32 20 N, Longitude: 64 45 W

What is the population of Bermuda?
64,237 (2010 Census)

What is Bermuda’s Flag?
The Bermuda flag is composed of a red background with the Union Flag (or Jack) in the upper left corner and the Bermuda coat of arms in the lower fly. The present flag was officially approved in October of 1967.

What is the story behind Bermuda’s Coat of Arms and Motto?
The Bermuda coat of arms was adopted 4 October 1910 and is based on the coats of arms of the Bermuda Company (1615). Argent on a mount vert a lion sejant affronte gules supporting between the forepaws an antique shield azure thereon a representation of the wreck of the ship Edward Bonaventure (1593), together with this motto: Quo Fata Ferunt. The Motto of Bermuda is Quo fata ferunt (whither the Fates carry [us]) and is taken from Virgil’s Aeneid.

When was the City of Hamilton incorporated?
Incorporated in 1793 and named after Sir Henry Hamilton, Governor 1778-1794. The motto “Hamilton Sparsa Collegit” means, “Hamilton had brought together the scattered.”

How old is the Town of St. George’s?
Named after the patron Saint of England, the Town of St. George’s was founded in 1612. St. George’s was twinned in 1996 with Lyme Regis, Dorset, England the home of Admiral Sir George Somers and was officially named a World Heritage Site on April 26, 2001.

What are the temperatures in Bermuda?
Figures for 2009: High 88.7°F (August) Low 48°F (March) Average maximum: 75.8°F Average minimum: 68.1°F.

How much rain does Bermuda get?
Annual rainfall in 2009: 55.99 inches (179 rain days) and in 2018: 52.59 inches (170 rain days)

Does the Bermuda National Library have a car park?
The Bermuda National Library does not have parking facilities. On-street parking near the Library is limited and subject to time restraints. However, there are several parking lots in the immediate area including the Par-la-Ville and the City Hall car parks, both accessible from Church Street and Number One car park on Front Street (limited to 3 hours).

Is the Library building wheelchair accessible?
The Library is completely wheelchair accessible with an elevator on the ground floor, dedicated to handicapped activist Margaret Carter, allowing access to the upper floor.

Do you lend books?
The Bermuda National Library is both a public and a research library. Most Bermuda books, however, are not in circulation, and must be read in the Library.  Please note that the Bermuda circulation collection, shelved in the Bermuda History and Cultural Studies Room on the ground floor, is limited to a two-week use.  Please see “Books About Bermuda and by Bermudians Available for Loan at the Bermuda National Library” for a comprehensive list of books within this collection.

Can I obtain Bermuda National Library material via an Inter-Library Loan Scheme?
The Bermuda National Library does not loan material via any Inter-Library Loan Scheme. However, we may be able to provide photocopies of certain materials upon request.

Will you research my family tree?
The Bermuda National Library is not in a position to carry out research on behalf of individuals, whether personal callers or correspondents. However, we will guide the researcher to the materials available and can provide a list of researchers private individuals and organizations who have indicated a willingness to carry out research on a professional fee-paying basis.