At the end of 1999, the Library purchased the hymnal collection of Rev. James A. Rogers, a United Methodist Music Minister of Springfield, IL, consisting of approximately 3,000 volumes dating from1571 to the late 1990’s. Nearly all volumes are printed in English, with special emphasis on British and American sources. Approximately 600 books deal with hymnology, about 40 of which date from the 1800’s and about 90 of which are autographed by the author. About 700 hymnals are from the 1700’s and 1800’s and approximately 40 of them are autographed by the editor or author.
This collection includes examples of nearly all major North American denominational hymnals through the latter part of the 20th century and forms a chronological complement to the Nutter-Metcalf Collections.
