Friends Newsletter
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friends newsletter spring 2018 Note from the Editor: Priscilla Barlow The contents of this issue reflect the We say goodbye and pay tribute to re- of Peter Davies and Johanna Green to Friends’ packed diary of activities and tiring committee members, Jean Ander- manage and organise events, is noted. changes over the months since summer. son and Freda Tuck and welcome our I am continuing to luxuriate in the Consequently we do not have as much new Convenor, David Baillie. We report advice and help of my assistant ed- space to devote to the more ‘magazine’ on Kathryn Lowe’s taking on the du- itor, Duncan Beaton and offer sin- type of article that we like to provide for ties of Membership Secretary and the cere thanks to him and to our de- your information and enjoyment. Nev- appointment of a graduate student as signer Gerry Cassidy at Raspberry ertheless familiar items are included her assistant. Another change, the for- Horse for his unfailing expertise. such as the Did you know about feature. mation of a subcommittee composed We wish all our Friends a happy 2018. more than just recording Exits and our members and their subscriptions; she assisted with the financial work of entrances the organisation, liaising Our convenor: with our accountants and Jean Gilmour Anderson signing cheques, and was It is with considerable regret our main communicator we say goodbye to Jean with our members, Gilmour Anderson who for answering queries, noting the past year has served She has functioned not good luck in her continuing changes and troubleshooting on the committee as acting only as an invaluable link endeavours elsewhere – and payment problems. Freda’s convenor. Pressure of other with the Library staff but we hope still to see her at sensible record keeping was commitments has dictated also to staff on the wider our events when her other done with her habitual no her decision to resign this campus and beyond. In duties allow. nonsense approach and this post, one she has filled with the chair at meetings she Our membership Secretary: will make it easier for her good humour, grace and a has kept us under control, Freda Tuck successor, but she will be firmness of hand. ensuring we stuck to the Freda Tuck has retired from hard to replace. We thank Jean has guided us through agenda. The committee the post after five years. her on behalf of all the changes to our constitution has learned much from her Freda has been an excellent, Friends for her contribution. and has ensured that our experience of the formalities hard working and efficient We hope to see her at obligations as trustees of the of committee procedures. member of the Friends Friends events and we wish FRIENDS charity status are For this and everything else executive committee. her the very best in her understood and followed. we thank Jean and wish her She took on much future endeavours. Message to Friends from Acting Convener David Baillie Although a fairly new member previous 12 months and it is group determined to develop of the Committee, I am de- a pity that pressure of other FGUL as much as possible. lighted to have been elected commitments did not allow Hopefully, we will be able to the Acting Convenorship. her to continue. She will be a to offer Friends an interesting Firstly, I must pay tribute to hard act to follow. programme of talks and outings the excellent manner in which Secondly, I look forward in 2018. If anybody has any ideas Jean Anderson carried out the to working with the other in that regard, please contact me duties of this position in the Committee members, a keen on [email protected] Friends of Glasgow University Library Newsletter Page 2 Page 3 Friends of Glasgow University Library Newsletter A warm welcome to our new office-brearers Will the real Duncan Macrae Stand Up? n n n New Convenor: On the retirement Membership Secretary: On the Events organisation and On 26 October, following the 2017 AGM necessary to writing were described. of the acting convenor, Jean Anderson, retirement of Freda Tuck, committee management: In the past Dr Peter there was a very good attendance of Two methods of research were David Baillie was unanimously elected member Dr Kathryn Lowe agreed to Davies has most efficiently taken on members and friends to hear Priscilla identified: documentary and interviews. to take over the helm. He takes up take on the post. As Kathryn is a full this role virtually single handed. Now Barlow talk about her experiences while the post with a wealth of experience time academic it was agreed that Dr Johanna Green has been co- opted The locations for the documentary writing Wise Enough to Play the Fool, a behind him in the academic field and she should lighten the load with the on to what is now a subcommittee to research were discussed as well as citing biography of the actor Duncan Macrae in local government as well as being employment of a graduate student. share the demanding tasks involved the most invaluable documents. These well versed in committee procedures. Emily Nicolet accepted the position as in planning, publicising and managing (published John Donald 1995). were illustrated. We are in safe hands and offer David her assistant. Emily will carry out the talks, visits etc. After graduation, while researching The different types of interviews were congratulations. additional duties of minute secretary for a PhD in Medieval theatre, Priscilla listed: by letter and email, by telephone was appointed tutor in the Drama and in personExamples from each Department (now Theatre Film and category were described and illustrated. AGM Report Television Studies) at Glasgow University. The various methods of making contact PROFILE: 23 She abandoned the PhD for research The 2017 AGM was held on Tuesday Talks: The Erskine Hospital Centenary with subjects for interview were Siobhan Convery 24 October in the Library TalkLab. Project, Research Into Glasgow’s 19th on a bibliography of Scottish Theatre explained. The importance of face to FUNDING C. Dyeing Manuals, Thomas Hollis and Literature, funded by the British Academy. face interviews was stressed, particularly A proud Glaswegian, Siobhán was By Jean Anderson (Acting Convener) his Library of Liberty, A Hidden Gem: Following publication of the Macrae highlighting those with Gordon Jackson, delighted to join the Library team as Art and Mental Health. biography she researched the old Nicholas Parsons, Bill Paterson and Agreed: Part funding of the purchase Priscilla Barlow’sbiography of Assistant Director for Collections Strategy Visits: the University of Stirling Glasgow Theatres Royal. Publications Stanley Baxter. in April this year. Her connection with of Dr Johnson’s Dictionary, a fourth Duncan Macrae was published folio edition from 1773, which is now Archives and Special Collections: the include reviews for Shakespeare The vicissitudes of writing and the University goes back 30 years when in 1995 by John Donald catalogued and available for study Leighton Library in Dunblane: tour of Quarterly (published by the Folger publishing were interpolated with she began studying for her MA in French through Special Collections. the newly refurbished GUL. Library, Washington) and several entries and Classical Civilisation. She recalls her biography of Duncan Macrae. A brief personal feelings and reactions. The Agreed: to contribute £250 to the Later this year: Jim King of the Prison in the Dictionary of National Biography. favourite study space was in the upper background of the subject was included. book launch and the aftermath of David Murray Book Collecting Prize, Service will talk on prison libraries: a Priscilla currently edits our newsletter. Much of the talk was anecdotal as well publication were noted in some detail. open to GU students. An allowance concert by Russkaya Capella. Abstract as reflective and analytical. The talk ended with a video clip of a was also awarded to the winner to FINANCES The talk was a light hearted description The motivation for this project was Macrae performance of The Wee Cock choose a book for acquisition to By Dr Hamilton, Honorary Treasurer Special Collections. of the experience of writing the explained and the preliminary steps Sparra. The accounts are in good order. Jim Agreed: to a request for financial Hamilton of JM Taylor Ltd presented support from Archives and Special the Friends accounts for the year Collections to produce a printed ending 31 July 2017. Simon Quaile Prison Education: catalogue of the 15thC printed of Smith & Williamson described our books in the Library. FGUL agreed to investments as being moderately A Hard Cell contribute up to £13,000 towards total successful this year. He followed A small group of members gathered cost of £23,000. this with an illuminating talk on to hear Jim King’s fascinating and Proceeds from sales of The investments and the current climate informative talk on 7 November 2017. University of Glasgow Library: Friendly with reference to the trouble in Jim is Head of Head of Learning & Skills, Shelves continue to benefit the various parts of the world. Resolutions Scottish Prison Service. University. were passed approving the Statement His career has included working Annual income from the MacKenna of Accounts and appointing JM Taylor & with rehabilitation of alcohol and drug principles of the 2013 SPS Organisational principal themes of Engaging Learners; bequest continued to boost the GUL Co. as accountants for the year ahead. addicts, and an investigation of literacy Review with its vision of ‘Unlocking Strengthening Partnerships; Ensuring Staff Development & Training Fund. Votes of thanks were extended to We are pleased this year to be able to in prisons. He scripted a film at HMP Potential - Transforming Lives’.