Library and Information History Newsletter Series 4, no. 2, Summer 2004 The Official Newsletter of the Library and Information History Group, a Special Interest Group of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) Series 4, no. 2, Summer 2004 ISSN 1744-3180 Editor's Introduction Perhaps as I am getting older I am becoming overly pessimistic. But as I sit here gazing out over Cardigan Bay and the iron-age hill fort on Pen Dinas, I am wondering what the future holds for academic library history research in the UK. What really worries me is what has happened to the input from the former departments of library studies? As more and more of them move away from any genuine engagement with the history of libraries and associated subject areas, and rush towards the new dawn of information systems, or information/knowledge management, where is the next generation of academic library history researchers going to come from? Look at the report from the ‘Libraries and the Working Classes etc’ Conference held in Leeds in June (pp.15-17), and apart from the power house of Leeds Metropolitan University’s School of Information Management, spot the new blood from the other ‘old library schools’? I am well aware that first class work has been and is being done by academics and researchers in departments of English, History, Politics and Architecture for instance, and it is very encouraging to see that other subject areas have begun to realise the importance of historical studies of libraries within their disciplines. But, such academics may well be isolated in those departments, their interest in library history fleeting and confined to one specific topic, or only one aspect of their research interests. If we need dedicated communities of academics to effectively push forward research in our field, how and where will that happen? Dr Chris Baggs, Department of Information and Library Studies, University of Wales, Aberystwyth Library History Group matters 1. Summary of Open Meeting, 24/03/2004 The meeting was held at CILIP, Ridgmount Street, London Bob Duckett began the Open meeting by extending a welcome to everyone, in particular the visitors observing the meeting. The following brief presentations were made and topics discussed Professor Alistair Black, Leeds Metropolitan University - Chair of the IFLA Section on Library History - The IFLA survey of archival holdings of the world’s library associations. Archives are an important source of information, and there are holes in CILIP archives. The world’s library associations have been slow to assume responsibility for archives. There is a need amongst all to commit to maintain, organise, and make accessible their archives. IFLA Library History Committee has commissioned a survey, in two stages: Survey of Associations’ websites Questionnaires to the world library associations Jill Martin and Caroline Nolan, CILIP - CILIP Archives Policy Most material was moved last year to UCL, since then CILIP has employed a temporary archivist who has catalogued most of the holdings. He also prepared a draft archives policy for consultation. There is a need to look for a way forward based on in-house funding only. UCL has agreed to house the archives in the long term free of charge, although they are still owned by CILIP. A database of archives, available electronically is planned, but because of lack of resources, nothing has been done yet, although there is a possibility of using UCL archives students to create records. Responses have so far been received from nine groups on the draft archives policy. It is hoped to submit a policy recommendation in July. Most people who replied were in favour of an archives policy, although concerns include storage, administration time, promotion, help and guidance. Not all groups have kept material, and it is necessary to have the goodwill of the groups to ensure success. Alan Clark, Thomas Parry Library, University of Wales Aberystwyth - Thomas Parry Library’s library history holdings and future plans / Clues/CLWS to a collection CLW (College of Librarianship Wales, established in 1964) became DILS (Department of Information and Library Studies) of the University of Wales in 1989. The library owes a lot to Frank Hogg, Principal of CLW, and it became an integral part of teaching in the College/Department. The Thomas Parry Library now has a collection of approximately 150,000 items, which include 3000 runs of periodicals, 500 current subscriptions, 2000 microforms, AV materials and electronic resources. There are also large amounts of ephemera, annual reports, press cuttings, and special collections of rare books. There are also collections of donated archive material, such as library buildings, and other smaller collections. Library purchases now are tailored more closely to the teaching and research in the Department. The periodical collection is large, and moving into electronic publications. There are collections of e-journals listed and accessible from the website, and e-books are also being explored. The Public Library Group has deposited submissions for library buildings awards in the Library, and the Library was recently awarded a pilot public library buildings project – to develop a database of descriptive material. Future plans include digitisation of some collections, electronic access to archives, and making more material available via the web. Kaye Bagshawe, Leeds Metropolitan University - Library buildings project This is a three-year project funded by AHRB, looking at rate supported public library buildings between 1850 and 1939. It is led by Professor Simon Pepper of Liverpool University and Professor Alistair Black of Leeds Metropolitan University. Kaye is the Project Officer. The first phase began in January 2004, and is concerned with data collection. A database has been set up to record information, and when sufficient background material has been gathered, a questionnaire will be sent to all Local Studies Departments throughout the UK. The second phase of the project will be a socio-economic examination of the issues, and the third phase will comprise examination of the buildings. Likely outcomes will include a book on architectural history of library buildings, and articles in library and architectural journals. Kaye would like to hear from anyone who knows of old library buildings. A2A website and its potential for library historians – a short discussion Archives have always been a good source for library history, initially accessible through the Accessions lists to the national repository of archives, or through lists in Library History. Both revealed data on libraries and people. More recently A2A (England only) lists repositories beyond PRO/The National Archives. It is easy to search, and also puts out recent additions to listings. (http://www.a2a.org.uk/). Archives Hub (http://www.archiveshub.ac.uk/) lists holdings in UK academic institutions. Aim 25 (http://www.aim25.ac.uk/) gives web access to collection descriptions of archives held by the University of London and other collections in the area bordered by M25. Other sites of interest noted – ANW (Archives Network Wales) and Images of England – English Heritage. 2. Summary of Executive Meeting, 24/03/2004 The meeting was held at CILIP, Ridgmount Street, London 1. The meeting was chaired by Vice-Chair Bob Duckett, in the absence of John Crawford 2. Apologies were received from John Crawford, Chris Baggs, Dorothea Miehe, Natalie Pollecutt (for late arrival), and Christopher Skelton-Foord (for late arrival). 3. Minutes of the previous committee meeting held in Oxford on 20th November 2003 were read and approved. The following matters arose for discussion: · Munford Memorial Lecture. No further progress has been made on this matter. · Conferences - Leeds – Libraries and the Working Classes. To be held 16-17 June 2004 at Leeds Metropolitan University. The keynote speaker will be J. Rose from the USA. Full details of the conference can be found at www.imresearch.org - Anglo-German Conference - Libraries and Innovation. To be held at the BL Conference Centre. Provisional dates - Mon-Tues 26-27 September. A call for papers will be put out one year in advance of the date. - Umbrella Conference June 2005. The structure of the Conference is to be changed. There will be nine programme tracks, covering different subject areas, in order to cut down on the number of meetings at any one time. It is hoped that there will be more interaction between groups under the new system. · Awards. J.G. Ollé Award. Two applications were received for the award. It was agreed to give the award to a group of three people from Robert Gordon University researching the Edzell Library. Both LIHG awards have now been awarded this year. 4. Committee changes: Treasurer – Kathryn McKee was proposed, seconded and elected as Group Treasurer to succeed Geoffrey Forster. The Group expressed its thanks to Geoffrey for his hard work over the last five years. Secretary – there were no proposals for a replacement for Jean Everitt. Jean was thanked for her work. Decision on a new secretary was deferred until the next meeting 5. Maney has offered another contract to continue for 5 years to publish Library History in a “suitable format”. The offer will be accepted 6. Keith Manley, the current Editor of Library History, feels that it is time for a change of editorship, although he agreed to continue until the end of the year. The Group expressed its thanks and congratulations to Keith for his excellent work. It was decided to defer a decision until the next meeting, although names of suitable candidates should be submitted to JC meanwhile. 7. CILIP Framework of qualifications – All members were sent questionnaire forms to complete. 1000 were returned to CILIP. There will be a report in the next Gazette, and a final draft will be put to CILIP Council at their next meeting on 26th April.