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

Smithsonian Institution Libraries:
National Museum of African Art Branch Library

Access Policies

Reference Policy:

Telephone and mail reference questions are accepted

Borrowing Privileges:

Limited to staff and Smithsonian fellows. The general public may borrow through interlibrary loan in their local public library or their university library.

Networks/Consortia:

CIRLA, FEDLINK. Holdings are listed in OCLC.

Background Note:

See information in first Smithsonian Libraries entry.

Description of Collections

Books and monographs:

The collection holds approximately 1,000 books, primarily 20th century imprints. Subject emphases include African religions, including works on indigenous belief systems and practices; syncretic religious movements; Christianity and Islam in Africa; Afro-Brazilian cults; Santerķa; Vodun and other African religions in the New World.

The online catalog covers these collections.

Periodicals and newspapers:

Approximately 50 journals. Religion is covered as one of many topics in African studies periodicals. The Library is currently working on an analytical index to these collections and has already entered over 10,000 records in the SIRIS catalog. The journal collection mirrors the subject areas found in the monograph collection.

Microforms:

Unknown quantity of microform. Highlights include the missionary archives on microfilm, including Church Missionary Society, American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, Basel Mission. These are primarily 19th and 20th century records.

Vertical files:

Approximately 20 files with 20th century dates. The strengths of this collection are in African religions, including works on indigenous belief systems and practices; syncretic religious movements; Christianity and Islam in Africa; Afro-Brazilian cults; Santerķa; Vodun and other African religions in the New World. Formats include offprints, pamphlets, brochures, and newspaper clippings.

File folders are arranged by subjects. Contents are selectively indexed in the online catalog.

Subject Headings

Bibliography

Catalog of the Library of the National Museum of African Art Branch of the Smithsonian Institution Libraries. 2 v. Boston, MA: G. K. Hall, 1991.

Stanley, Janet L. The Arts of Africa: An Annotated Bibliography. Atlanta: African Studies Association Press for the Smithsonian Institution Libraries, 1990- [Volume 1 began 1986-1987].