Welcome to The William Ready Division of Archives and Research Collections

The William Ready Division of Archives and Research Collections acts as the principal repository for rare books and archives at McMaster University in support of teaching, education, and scholarship in the humanities and social sciences. Named after William Ready, the University Librarian from 1966 until his retirement in 1979, the diverse collections consist of culturally significant books and unique records of national and international scope: manuscripts such as a work of Boethius from the twelfth century, a collection of 35,000 pre-1800 books with a concentration in the eighteenth century, and archives in literature, music, Canadian social history, peace and war, publishing, business, and labour. Of special note are the archives and library of the philosopher, social activist, and Nobel prize winner Bertrand Russell.

The present facilities of Archives and Research Collections include a reading room for consultation and research, temperature-and-humidity controlled storage areas, and a conservation lab. The staff are committed to excellence in the preservation, description, and digital access to books and documents and in the provision of research help to a wide community of users.

Information

Hours: Monday to Friday - 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Location:
Mills Memorial Library,
Lower Level
McMaster University
1280 Main St. W.,
Hamilton, ON,
Canada
L8S 4L6

Phone: (905) 525-9140 ext. 22789

Fax: (905) 546-0625

E-mail: archives@mcmaster.ca

Key Statistics:

Book titles: 125,999 | Periodical titles: 4,694 | Archives: 3,635 metres | Microforms: 12,658 items | Maps: 2,375 | Audio-visual materials: 1,373 items