Religion Collections in Libraries and Archives: A Guide to Resources in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia Table of Contents - Preface/Acknowledgements - Abbreviations Lists of Entries: District of Columbia - Maryland - Virginia

Christendom College: O'Reilly Memorial Library

Access Policies

The Library closes every day for lunch (11:15 a.m.-12:45 p.m.) and for dinner (5:15 p.m-6:15 p.m.). These hours apply ONLY during the school year; summer hours are not currently set. The Library is also closed for Christmas holidays between December 22-January 2.

In-house photocopies are 10 cents a copy. Interlibrary loans are shipped at no cost to borrower (including photocopying); page limitation of 30 pages. More than this will mean that 10 cents a page will be charged to borrower.

Reference Policy:

Telephone and mail inquiries are accepted, with priority given to faculty, staff, students, and alumni.

Borrowing Privileges:

These privileges are for faculty, students, staff, and local residents only. The latter may borrow if they register with the Library giving proof of residence.

Networks/Consortia:

OCLC, SE Library Network. Partial holdings are listed in OCLC. The symbol is PYY. OCLC searches may be done for the public or for personal questions for a fee of three dollars.

Background Note:

Founded 1977, by Dr. Warren H. Carroll, current chairman of the History Department.

Description of Collections

Books and monographs:

43,700 volumes with inclusive publication dates from the 19th century to the present. Primary strengths are Catholic theology, its doctrines and history, and a strong collection of hagiography. Philosophical studies, both ancient and modern, are strong as well. Additional areas of strength, often reflecting the focus and strength of the curriculum, include: Bible studies, papal encyclicals, eschatology, liturgy, ordination, the papacy, patristics, prayer, religious biography, sacraments, saints, and Catholic spirituality.

Currently the Library has both a card and a computer catalog. All titles are included in the online catalog, covering the dates shown for the collection.

Periodicals and newspapers:

208 subscriptions; 2,970 volumes with inclusive publication dates from the 1800s to the present. Subject emphases include Catholic theology, doctrines, and current religious news.

The Periodical Listing (on paper) covers this collection. It is updated regularly.

Archives, manuscripts, correspondence, and oral histories:

1,138 volumes with dates from the 1500s to the present. Strengths of the collection include early printed hagiographies and papal documents. Andrew Armstrong, Library Director, is the curator for this collection and can be reached at (540) 636-2900, ext. 231.

Microforms:

809 reels, primarily back issues of journals and some older books. A highlight of this collection is a long run of L'Osservatore Romano, Weekly Edition in English.

Videos and Sound Recordings:

Approximately 200 films and videotapes, with publication dates from the 1950s to the present. The focus of this collection is current religious topics: talks with religious personalities, the life of Christ, and documentaries.

The online catalog covers this collection.

Vertical files:

1,154 vertical files from the 1900s to the present. The strength of this collection is in Catholic theology and pastoral concerns.

The collection is covered by the online catalog.

Databases, CD-ROMS, and other machine-readable sources:

Works of Saint Thomas Aquinas.

Subject Headings