The Masonic Digital Library is a collection of papers and other material of interest to masonic researchers. The contents of the library are fully searchable and downloadable. It is an extension of the common practice of exchanging transactions by masonic research organisations. The purpose of the Library is to provide a benefit to members of Masonic Research Organisations. Many of the papers have been provided on the condition that they not be available to members of the public. Files are largely in PDF format.
The Library uses Greenstone software (see https://www.greenstone.org ) and is currently being upgraded from Greenstone version 2 to version 3. The Grand Lodge of New Zealand have generously provided space on their systems for the Masonic Digital Library.
Access to the library is generally restricted to members of masonic research organisations participating in the library– these organisations have committed to sharing future publications in electronic form, and providing past publications as they become available. The library contains files from participating organisations that have since closed, and other organisations and individual authors who have provided files for the collection.
A Masonic Research Organisation considering participation can obtain limited temporary access for evaluation purposes. If your lodge wishes to consider participating, or has made a decision to participate, please contact the MDL Coordinator for further information.
If you are a Freemason but not a member of a participating organisation, it may be possible to become a member at a modest cost, and hence become eligible to access the Masonic Digital Library – contact one of the Participating Organisations below. The Library is not open to all Freemasons.
Please respect statements regarding copyright; normally short extracts may be published with appropriate acknowledgement of the source, but if there is any doubt contact one of the participating organisations – contact details are available from the secretary of each of those organisations. If a publishing organisation has closed, copyright may still be held by the author.
Participating Organisations
- Research Lodge of Wellington
- The Research Lodge of Otago
- Temple of Athene Lodge
- Discovery Lodge of Research
- Research Lodge of Ruapehu
- Barron Barnett Research Lodge
- Hawke’s Bay Research Lodge
- Research Lodge of the Taranaki Province
- Waikato Lodge of Research
- Hobart Lodge of Research
- Research Lodge of Southland
- The Western Australian Lodge of Research
- Linford Lodge of Research
- WH Green Memorial Masonic Study Circle
- WHJ Mayers Lodge of Research
- Australia and New Zealand Masonic Research Council