A codex manuscript is a written (not printed) work bound as a book. RBML’s codex manuscript collections include Western manuscripts in collections distinguished by subject, and non-Western works in Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Hebrew, Sanskrit, and other languages.

The western items are usually bound as codices. The non-Latin items are codices or palm-leaf style manuscripts or whatever format is appropriate to the time, culture, and use. Printed materials in these languages cataloged for our printed book collections are not listed here (although a few of these collections include some printed materials because of historical happenstance).

For information about Medieval and Renaissance manuscripts, click here.

Cards for post-1600 Western codex manuscripts are filed in the manuscript/document card file in the RBML reference area under author. There is also a shelf list card file for individual collections. For General Manuscripts, there is a binder at the reference desk with indexes by date and by language.  See More Details on Codex Manuscript Holdings for a list of collections. For additional assistance, consult with RBML staff.

Check More Details on Codex Manuscript Holdings for a list of the languages we hold. Most manuscripts are described at an item level in somewhat minimal card files or lists.  For assistance, please consult RBML staff.