Cope Collection (Special Collections)

About the Cope Collection

Sir William Cope

Revd. Sir William Cope (1811-92), twelfth Baronet, of Bramshill, Hampshire served in the Rifle Brigade before purchasing his discharge in 1839 to become ordained as a priest. He succeeded to the baronetcy in 1851, and at Bramshill developed an interest in the local area, writing on matters of local interest, e.g. A Glossary of Hampshire Words and Phrases (1883) and establishing his 'Hampshire Collection'. Cope died in 1892, having bequeathed the collection to the Hartley Institution, a forerunner of the University of Southampton.

Content

The collection covers Hampshire (as defined in the Victoria County History) and the Isle of Wight. There are sections on most local communities, the largest being that on Southampton. Subjects include history and archaeology, religion, local government, education, transport, natural history, conservation and planning. In addition to the secondary historical works, there are also printed source materials e.g. publications of local record societies, early directories and guidebooks, poll books and newspapers.

Extent

12,700 books and pamphlets, 800 periodicals, 7,000 prints, maps, posters, photographs and drawings. Material ranges in date from the 17th century to the present day.

Using the Cope Collection

Access

The Cope Collection is part of Special Collections on level 4 of the Hartley Library, which is on the Highfield Campus. It is open to anyone to use. Most of the modern material is shelved in the Special Collections open access area and can be used whenever the Hartley Library is open. Rare Books and illustrations are used in the Archives and Rare Books Search Rooom, which is open Monday - Friday, 09.30-17.00.

If you do not have a University I.D. card, you will need to show a form of photographic ID at the Library Reception Desk and on entering the Search Room.

Catalogues

All Cope books and journals are included in , the online catalogue. WebCat Help shows the most effective ways to search the catalogue. For basic searches use a subject term or an author's surname and a few words from a title as a keyword search. For a more detailed search or to limit a search by date, use the Advanced Searches options.

Cope illustrations are listed in the printed Local Illustrations Index available next to the WebCat in the Special Collections open access area.

Arrangement of stock

Open access material is shelved by call number beginning with a county-wide section (01-96), the New Forest (97) and the Isle of Wight (98). This numerical sequence is followed by an alphabetical sequence of individual places in the county.
Some items are shelved separately because of size and this is shown by a call number prefix e.g. Cope quarto. Locations are marked on the floor-plan and on the shelf guides.

Rare Books and Illustrations are fetched for use in the Archives and Rare Books Search Room, which is open Monday - Friday 09.30-17.00. Appointments are not normally required, but you will need to show ID on entering the Search Room. Material cannot be produced without prior arrangement between 12.00 and 13.00.

You can request material:

  • By phoning the Search Room on 023 8059 2721 or ext. 22721
  • By emailing archives@soton.ac.uk
  • By visiting the Search Room and completing a request slip

Microforms are kept in the Microform Services Area on level 1, arranged by copy number e.g. 40000176. A range of microfilm /microfiche readers is available and you can also make copies or scans of microform material using the reader-printers. A University login is required for scanning.

Borrowing books and periodicals

Most of the Cope Collection is for reference use only. In the Special Collections open access area there are second copies of some titles which can usually be borrowed on Long loan. You can borrow books at the Loans Desk on level 2 or at the self-issue units on levels 2 and 3.

Photocopying

The nearest photocopiers are behind the main staircase on level 4 and the charges are 5p per A4 sheet and 10p for A3. If you are not a member of the University, you will need to go to the Photocopying area on level 2 to create a Guest Account and then add credit to this account by using the Money Loaders, also on level 2. The loaders take 50p, £1 and £2 coins, notes and credit/debit cards.

Bound volumes in the rare books area cannot be photocopied, but you can order photographic or microfilm copies, subject to the age and condition of the item.

Enquiries

The Enquiry Office is next to the entrance to the Reading Room. You can also make enquries by email (J.C.Ruthven@soton.ac.uk) or by phoning ext. 23335, the external number is (023) 8059 3335.