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Religion Collections in Libraries and Archives: Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia

Smithsonian Libraries and Archives: National Museum of African American History & Culture Library

Introductory Information

Smithsonian Libraries and Archives: National Museum of African American History & Culture Library External

Address: 1400 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20560

Telephone number: 202-633-7498

Contact information: [email protected]

Online catalog External

Digital Collections link External

Access Policies

Hours of service: Research appointments are scheduled weekdays between 10:30am and 4:30pm (excluding Federal holidays).

Open to the public: Yes, by appointment

Interlibrary loan: Yes

Reference policy: Reference requests are accepted by email: [email protected], telephone, or through the Ask-A-Librarian email: [email protected]

Background note External

Content

Books and monographs
The collection holds approximately 100 print volumes on subjects in religion which were published between the mid-19th century to the present. Highlights include the history and culture of the African American religious experience, with an emphasis on churches, sacred music, the religion associated with social movements, folklore, and non-traditional African American religions and religious communities. The online catalog (SIRIS) External covers these collections.

Periodicals and newspapers
Periodicals that cover topics in religion are included in the SLA electronic resources collection.

Databases and/or electronic resources
Information about our databases and other electronic resources can be found on the SLA Research Tools webpage External
Databases that are free for the general public to use are linked here External

Digital collections
Smithsonian Collections Search Center External

Subject Headings

African Americans – Religion; Churches; Sacred music; Folk Beliefs; Spirituals; Spirituality; Preachers and Preaching; Theology