What does the bMS mean? Is that a Harvard indexing system or is there an archival system that parallels the Dewey decimal system?

“bMS” is an abbreviation for “box of manuscripts”. 

Archival collections at Harvard Divinity School Library begin with a "bMS" collection number.  The numbers that follow “bMS” are assigned in the order of acquisition. The best way to navigate the archives by subject or topic is to explore  HOLLIS for Archival Discovery. 

A “bMS” shelf number has no relation to subject of the collection. Books in our open stacks, in contrast to archival collections, are arranged by subject on the shelves to facilitate browsing.  

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