Available Services
To be genuinely useful, a Library must be put freely at the disposal of
those who have a legitimate claim upon its services. Measured by this
standard, the usefulness of the Iowa Masonic Library cannot be questioned.
It has always maintained a liberal position, and has not been content
merely to permit its contents to he used upon request,
but has throughout its history insistently called attention to its privileges,
inviting the Craft especially to use them in generous measure. The reports
of the Grand Librarian presented at the annual communications of the Grand Lodge
contain striking evidence that this invitation has had a wide acceptance.
Loans
Except for rare and costly volumes which could not be replaced, and for
single volumes which can be purchased only in complete sets, practically
any book in the Library may be borrowed under the usual requirements.
Of course the volumes which may not be loaned may be consulted at the
Library itself.
Clipping Bureau
The Clipping Bureau consists of many thousands of items taken from duplicate
copies of Masonic periodicals. These cover addresses, orations, and articles
given or read before Masonic bodies; and a very large number of papers on
various Masonic topics prepared for publication. These items are loaned upon
request, the enormous range of subjects relating to Masonry affording a mine of
information, much of which has never been put in book form. Additions are
continually being made, steadily increasing the valuable service of this
department.
General Contents
To give an adequate idea within the limitations of this website of the contents
of the Library is, of course, impossible. The scope can be only suggested.
The books may roughly be divided into three groups: Masonic, non-Masonic, and
References, totaling approximately 100,000 volumes.
Masonic
Under the Masonic division, we find a representative collection of books
published from the time of the organization of the premier Grand Lodge of
England (1717), down through the years to the present.
There are books upon every conceivable phase of Masonry: Its history,
traditions, symbolism, moral teachings, ritual, jurisprudence, Masonic
conditions abroad, anti-Masonic propaganda, histories and Proceedings of
Grand Lodges, both foreign and American, including those of many individual
lodges which have attained age and prominence. In addition to these may be
found many volumes dealing with the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite,
Royal Arch, Council, Knights Templar, and other rites in Masonry, some of
them little known in this country.
Proceedings
The section devoted to the printed Proceedings of the many research lodges and
societies is an important one, as the work of these bodies has, on the whole,
been of immense value. Here are found the results of years of research and study
given to the many phases of Masonry by her best scholars. They have placed the
Craft under lasting obligation by their unselfish and effective service. These
publications cover a multitude of subjects, and have continued over a long span
of years.
The second floor stacks contain sets of the bound annual Proceedings, not only
of Iowa, but of all other American Grand Jurisdictions, most of the sets complete
from the beginning. Those of the York and Scottish Rite Bodies may also be found
here. Many of these are not procurable today, and we have the founder of the
Library to thank for the possession of these rarities, obtained by him as they
were issued. Also in these stacks will be found the Proceedings of many foreign
Grand Jurisdictions, their contents a valuable record of Masonic affairs and
methods in other parts of the globe.
Masonic Journals
The Library has always been diligent in securing a wide range of Masonic journals,
which include, besides those of our own, most of the publications of all other
English-speaking countries, plus a considerable list of foreign languages.
Except for current issues they have been durably bound, and contain an infinite
variety of material reflecting the march of events in the Masonic world for over
a century. Some of this has never been published in book form, a fact which
emphasizes the value of the collection.
Rare Books
Again largely due to the watchfulness and discrimination of our first Grand
Librarian, the Library possesses some of the rarest Masonic publications in
existence, among them being a copy of Franklin's reprint of Anderson's
Constitutions (1723), which was the first Masonic book published in America
(1734). Here also is a copy of the Roberts' Constitutions (1722), believed to
be one of the only two copies known to exist. Several other works previous to
1750 are also to be found here, including all the early editions of the
Anderson's Constitutions, which are the foundation of all Masonic law.
The entire list is too long to include here, but they may be seen by those
who are interested.
These rare volumes are now housed in a large, well ventilated vault in the new
building. Many private collections of Masonic books have come to the Iowa
Masonic Library because of the protection that has been provided for them in
this new building.
The Bower Collection
One of the finest and most extensive private Masonic libraries ever formed in
this country was assembled over a long period of years by Robert F. Bower of
Keokuk, whose death occurred in 1882. Subsequently this was offered the Grand
Lodge at a price of $4,000.00, far below its real value, and at the urgent
recommendation of Theodore S. Parvin and others it was purchased in 1882. This
important addition to the accumulation of nearly forty years immediately placed
the Library in the front rank of all such institutions, and has proved the most
valuable single acquisition of its long career.
The Arthur E. Waite Collection
One of the most outstanding purchases of recent years has been the collection
of writings of Arthur E. Waite, a well-known English Freemason and mystic.
This formerly belonged to the prominent Masonic scholar, H. V. B. Voorhies.
The collection is of unusual value because of its completeness and the rarity
of some of its items which have made it unique in its field. There are 126
volumes in this group, in addition to valuable articles and clippings. This
collection is housed in a special, locked case on the third stack area.
General Reference
The reference department is maintained for the benefit of research work, and
while by no means primarily.Masonic, it is extremely useful for its purpose.
This includes, besides various encyclopedias, a great department of general
literature on subjects of History, Biography, Folk Lore, Archaeology, Mythology,
Oriental Study, Chivalry, and the Knightly Orders of the world, together with
an exceedingly fine collection of works on Egypt, Palestine, etc. All these
are cognate to the scope and original plan of the Library. So, also, are the
great series of Sacred Books of the East, and the rare old works pertaining to
religious customs, rites, symbols, and ceremonies.
Many rare works on Art and Architecture, their value greatly enhanced by numerous
fine plates, are among the special treasures of the Library.
A card catalogue and an extensive index have been prepared.
Serious students of Masonry have in the past found our facilities invaluable,
some of them spending days and weeks in the Library in the course of their work.
A cordial invitation to do likewise is extended to others with similar purpose.
Victorious Peace
In 1956 the Grand Lodge became the proud possessor of "Victorious Peace," an
exquisite painting from the talented hand of Edwin J. Bruns, an outstanding
Cedar Rapids artist.
This treasure was financed by Brother Burdette C. Lockman of Monticello.
It now graces the east wall of the Memorial Room.
Non-Masonic Section
The non-Masonic section is extensive, and has been developed largely by
outright gifts or by bequests.
Iowa Department
The Iowa department is notable in its scope, a considerable section of it
having been collected by Theodore S. Parvin; this has been enlarged during the
subsequent years until it occupies a separate section on the second floor stacks.
Books and pamphlets by Iowa authors, county histories, publications of various
state organizations, documents and official volumes issued by the State itself,
valuable early maps, and many other items properly included in such a collection
are to be found in this department.
Burns Section
One of the sections which would normally be classed as non-Masonic really holds
much Masonic interest. On the second floor in a special, locked case is a large
collection devoted to Robert Burns. This was founded many years ago and has been
expanded since by donations from Scotch friends and others. The section consists
of many volumes dealing with the life and times of the famous Scotch poet,
literary estimates of his work, the music to which certain of his poems have
been set, photographs and engravings, and, of course, many editions of his
published poetry.
Robert Burns became a Mason in 1781 in his twenty-third year, at Tarbolton,
Scotland. For years prior to this his closest associations had been with
Freemasons, and his later attachment to the Fraternity became an ardent one.
Some of his poems are purely Masonic.
Lincoln Section
Another locked case on the second floor stacks contains a number of volumes on
Abraham Lincoln. Although he was not a Mason, much of interest to Masonic
students has been written about this great American. Many valuable books have
been given to this collection.
Granger Collection of Poetry
Another notable section of non-Masonic works is the collection of poetry;
this was largely contributed by Past Grand Master Charles T. Granger, and
contains approximately seven hundred volumes. It is truly representative of
the poetry in the English language from the days of Spenser.
Religious Work
The Library is especially rich in works on Church history and comparative
religions, donated by Robert D. Graham of Denver, Reverend Henry F. Milligan,
and Reverend E. R. Burkhalter of Cedar Rapids, and other interested friends.
These volumes are of great value to the student making a study of faiths and
beliefs of all men in all lands and in all times.
The limits of space forbid an extended mention of other non-Masonic works, of
which there are hundreds.
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