WHELF Annual Report 2014-15 | Page 1

2014-15 WHELF ANNUAL REPORT Wales Higher Education Libraries Forum Higher Education Wales Page 2 | WHELF Annual Report 2014-15 archives provision. andinformation service newinitiativesinlibrary, andhelpfacilitate ideas, provide aforum for support mutual encouragetheexchange services, seek costbenefits of for shared andconsortial WHELF’s andinformationservices, missionistopromote collaboration inlibrary a focus for thedevelopment ofnewideasandservices. WHELF actively promotes in thework ofhighereducationlibraries Wales andprovides Open University. in higher educationlibraries Wales, of togetherwiththeNationalLibrary Wales andthe WHELF (Wales Forum)isacollaborativegroup HigherEducationLibraries ofallthe Benefits of WHELF Implementscollaborativeservices anddevelopments Provides costbenefitswith regard toshared services, Influencespolicymakersandfundersonmattersof Raisestheprofile andvalueofservices and beyond; information servicesinourowninstitutions,Wales developments inWelsh HElibrary, archives and their users; for themutualbenefitofmember institutionsand collaborative dealsandservice developments; shared interest; Buildsonthecollaboration,partnershipand Works withotherorganisations,sectorsanddomains learning. the importanceofpromoting reading andlifelong student experience,research, globalisationand produce guidanceandstrategicdocumentsaround advocacy role thatWHELFhaswithinWales and network inWales andtheUK; in supportofthedevelopmentacooperativelibrary Cardiff University WHELF Annual Report 2014-15 | Page 3 Page 4 Page 6 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page University of South Wales University of Wales Saint David Trinity University of Wales The Open University in Wales College of Music and Drama Royal Welsh Swansea University

National Library of Wales Bangor University University Metropolitan Cardiff University Cardiff University Glyndwˆr Aberystwyth University WHELF Libraries

Chair’s Introduction Brief in Year The Collaboration and Partnership Supporting Research Collections Access Widening Development Continuing Professional People Constitution Wales Representing CONTENTS Cardiff University Cardiff Page 4 | WHELF Annual Report 2014-15 INTRODUCTION CHAIR’S in March 2014recognises theimportantpartlibraries, and heritagetopromote socialjusticeinWales published thepowerofarts,cultureand Poverty:Harnessing Skates. Thereport byBaroness KayAndrews, Culture fundamental prioritiesandavidly supportedbyKen tackling povertywhichisoneof theWelsh Government’s their historyandidentity. Thissupportstheagendafor in order toinvolvelocalcommunitiesinengagingwith unique heritagecollectionsandthe“Treasures ofWales” WHELF are activelyworkingtogethertoopenupour heritage collections. institutions andopeningupourcollections,including the abilitytohavereciprocal borrowing across our maximise thebenefitsofsystem.Thiswillinclude looking forward toworkingcollaborativelytogether Library ofWales andtheWales NHSLibraries,weare across theconsortiaoflibraries includingtheNational As wecontinuetoimplementtheExLibrislibrarysystem this happen. and tothewiderteamforalltheirhard work inmaking leading theselectionandimplementationofsystem Janet Peters,Gareth Owenand Tracey Stanleyfor (THELMA). MythanksparticularlygototheCardiff Team Higher EducationLeadershipandManagementAwards award fortheOutstanding LibraryTeam attheTimes by Aberystwythandculminatedinusachievingthe going liveinSwanseaJuly2015swiftlyfollowed of everyone’s attentionwiththefirstimplementation Library ManagementSystem(LMS)cametotheforefront profile bothnationallyand internationally. TheAll Wales has beenanexceptionalyearforWHELFinraisingour very pleasedtointroduce thisAnnual Reportinwhat I havejusttakenoverasChairofWHELFandam WHELF Annual Report 2014-15 | Page 5 I could not conclude this introduction without mentioning I could not conclude this introduction enthusiasticmy gratitude to the many committed and of working with. I would people who I have the pleasure Jones for his particularly like to thank Aled Gruffydd work, knowledge, commitment and dedication, hard during the enthusiasm in Chairing the WHELF Board I wish him all the best in the future. last 18 months. We Officers Julieam also very grateful to the other WHELF Rachael Whitfield as WHELF and Hart as Treasurer who does an exceptional job in Development Officer, due of course to all of the supporting all of us. Thanks are for their work during the year. WHELF Representatives due to but not least, many congratulations are Finally, Mark Hughes, Head of Collections, Information Systems and Services, Swansea University who was the winner The Award. of the CILIP Cymru Librarian of the Year Institute of Library and given by the Chartered award, the dedication reflects Wales, Information Professionals work that an individual gives to the profession. and hard and collaborative work style has driven projects Mark’s Wales benefit of HE libraries across to the procurements LMS and incorporating his work on the WHELF Shared Library Electronic Higher Education as Chair of the Wales (WHEEL). Sue Hodges MA CILIP Bangor University of Libraries and Archives, Director archives, museums and historic monuments can play archives, learnin engaging with and inspiring people to and gain and a sense of new skills and in developing confidence identity and involvement in history. in libraries This is also an exciting time for everyone REF2020, Open agenda around with the huge research Data Management. Access Publishing and Research Support and Scholarly WHELF now has a Research working together to who are Communication Group support for examine and develop further collaborative institutions. within our research Colloquium, which is jointly run This year the Gregynog was again a highly successful by WHELF and HEWIT, June 15th-19th with a very apt event and ran from theme of collaboration and partnership. I would like event, Cardiff to thank the organizers of this year’s and the WHISD University Cardiff University, Metropolitan Development) Higher Education Institutions Staff (Wales for scheduling an excellent and informative sub-group of speakers and workshops and also programme talks. A sunny Gregynog thank all those who delivered SHEDL (Scotland), Jisc, Ex welcomed speakers from Libris, LIBISnet (Belgium), Orbis Cascade Alliance (USA), Pleiade Management & Consultancy (Netherlands) and WHELF institutions. the from many more at the forefront Again information and digital literacy are Information Literacy of our work. This year the Welsh concluded and WHELF is now working with the Project and Libraries Division (MALD) to Museums, Archives set up a Community of Practice to continue to support information and digital literacy within our HE Institutions. Page 6 | WHELF Annual Report 2014-15 Academy of Learning andTeaching.Academy ofLearning services, SwanseaEmployability AcademyandSwansea helpdesk alongwithacademic andresearch support will beprovided byalibrary, ITandemployability room andadedicatedPCroom. Supportforstudents group studyareas, acafé,computingandteaching postgraduate studyroom, zonedsilentstudyareas, provides spacesfor600students,adedicated learning grand openingon1stSeptember2015.Thenewlibrary officially openedonthenewcampus,libraryheldits were completedoverthesummer. Thefirstbuildingtobe summer of 2015; outfitting of the library and stock moves took overthenewlyconstructedBayLibraryinearly Swansea University’s InformationServices andSystems course oftheirstudies. they givestudentstheverybestexperienceduring existing facilitiesandopennewtoensure that Academic librariesinWales continuedtorefurbish STUDENT EXPERIENCE LIBRARIES: IMPROVINGTHE during theyear. We hopeyouenjoyreading thisreport. of theotheractivitiesinwhichWHELFhasbeeninvolved can offer. Thefollowingpageswillalsohighlightmany advantage ofthegreater efficiencies ashared system during 2014-15andwillremain so asweseektotake strategic aimofWHELFandthefocusouractivities procurement andimplementationhasbeentheprimary process forCohort1began. Theshared LMS,its contract signingattheendof2014,implementation generation cloud-basedsystemandfollowingthe selected ExLibrisAlmaandPrimotodeliveritsnext and theWelsh NHSlibraries. TheWHELFconsortium higher educationlibraries,theNationalLibraryofWales a shared librarymanagementsystem(LMS)forWales’ WHELF infulfillingitslongtermstrategicaimtoprocure This yearhasbrought aboutalandmarkachievementfor YEAR INBRIEF a new ‘My Bookshelf’ feature.a new‘MyBookshelf’ system whichincludesimproved relevance rankingand digital age.Ithasintroduced thenewLibrarySearch next generationcloud-basedplatformdesignedforthe Alma andPrimohasreplaced several systemswitha discovery andlibrarymanagementsystem.ExLibris The OpenUniversityhasintroduced a new library 2015-16. services tostudentsandaimbuilduponthisworkin The teamhavebeenveryactiveinsignpostingthenew study spacesandthecreation ofsilent studyspace. CentreLearning withafocusontechnologyenabled staff haveundertakenaseries ofimprovements ateach feedback, ateamofLibraryandInformationServices At Cardiff Metropolitan University, inresponse tostudent incorporating theexistinglibraries. new UniversityLibrarybuildingfortheCathayscampus, Library possiblybeginningin2017.Thiswillcreate a prior toamajorextensiontheArtsandSocialStudies asked tocontributeafeasibilitystudylaterintheyear facilities. Cardiff UniversityInformationServiceswillbe Sciences Libraryinorder tocombine thelawlibrary Library hasbeenmovedintotheArtsandSocial (Special CollectionsandArchives). TheLegalPractice Studies Library, andanewreception spaceforSCOLAR redesign oftheentrancearea intheArtsandSocial the librariesatCardiff University, notablywithadramatic Library refurbishments havebeencompletedinthree of Plan objectives,inclusiveofdelivering apositive positioned todelivertheUniversity’s CorporateStrategic restructuring wastoensure thedepartment isbest implementation throughout 2014-15.Thefocusofthe all departmentaljobdescriptions wasapproved for a proposed newlibrarystructure and plantomodernise restructuring process. AtCardiff Metropolitan University Many oftheWHELFlibrarieshavebeenundergoinga RESTRUCTURING WHELF Annual Report 2014-15 | Page 7 University of South Wales subscriptions and all students now have an account that subscriptions and all students now have The Board is authenticated via a single identity provider. of Governors has announced a number of key decisions estate. strategic investment in the university’s to relating in Newport involves future The University of South Wales Campus whilst Caerleon investment in the City Centre undergraduate students after Campus will not recruit the Treforest The operation of services across this year. with the aim Campuses will be reviewed and Glyntaff a single ‘Pontypridd’ campus. In Cardiff, of creating completion of the Atrium2 development is planned is Work for the start of the 2016-17 academic year. library collections underway to rationalise and relocate use of space in the new campus and plan the effective configurations. In anticipation of the new Bay Campus at Swansea University opening and beginning operations as a dual campus, the Library has made changes to the structure of its subject teams and ICT as well as made some new appointments. has been implementing the outcomes University Cardiff The outcomes include of its Academic Liaison Review. and of leads for Education, Research the creation Collections along with a lead for each of the three College teams, and two Customer Service Managers. in the Arts and Social Studies of staff The restructuring of RFID self-service Library following the introduction been implemented and has enabled the has already such as reading in some key areas of staff strengthening list digitisation and special collections. student experience, responding to the challenges of student experience, responding impact the internationalisation, as well as addressing has been The project and opportunity of technology. with a modernised considerable, issuing all staff matrix as job description, applying a new functional of a culture well as seeking to embed and improve as increasing training, coaching and mentoring, as well risk. succession planning and reducing University is now at Glyndwˆr process The restructuring to the complete and includes two new teams reporting and Information, namely Head of Learning Resources Library and IT Service Desk and Learning Resources. This has led to a harmonised Library and IT Helpdesk team which includes and a new Learning Resources the University Librarian, Deputy University Librarian, Advisors, a VLE (VirtualLearning Learning Resources IT Support Officer and Technologist, Environment) Academic Study Skills Tutors. Following the new appointment of Megan Wiley as College of Music and Librarian for the Royal Welsh has seen the Library move from Drama restructuring within Academic Services to the (newly renamed) Student Experience division, with the Librarian reporting the to the Head of Student Experience. This reflects involved in in the Library being more interest College’s the development of employability skills in students. Post-merger integration at the University of South harmonisation of has seen the completion of the Wales Page 8 | WHELF Annual Report 2014-15 University Libraryinholdingthisaward. now joinsCardiff UniversityLibraryandSwansea outstanding customerservices.AberystwythUniversity given inrecognition oforganizationswhoworktodeliver standardassessment inApril2015.Thisgovernment is Excellence Standard (CSE)following aformal University hasachievedtheCustomerService The InformationServicesDepartmentatAberystwyth EXCELLENCE CUSTOMER SERVICE Thomas Centre. Waterfront InnovationQuarterencompassingtheDylan project hasnowentered Phase1withplanstocreate a exchange ofcontractswiththeWelsh The Government. the SA1Waterfront tookamajorstepforward withthe for UniversityofWales Trinity SaintDavid:Swanseaon Plans tocreate anew£100million watersidecampus of thesite. the sitemigrationandassistingindesignlayout this tohappenbyhostingthenewwebsite,organizing thank theWeb Team atSwanseaUniversityforenabling and Welsh (www.whelf.ac.uk). WHELFwouldliketo site inorder tobeableinclude contentinEnglish and purposeoftheredesign has beentodevelopthe And finally, WHELF hasanewwebsite.Thefocus London) toourJulymeeting. ServicesattheUniversityofEast Library andLearning Services UKGroup, LibbyHomer (AssociateDirector, Future. We ofCustomer alsowelcomedVice-Chair BL collaborativeproject ontheAcademic Bookofthe at UniversityCollegeLondon)presenting theAHRC/ Centre forPublishingand Senior Lecturer inPublishing during theyearfrom DrSamRayner (Director ofthe We welcomedguestattendance atWHELFmeetings WHELF Representatives meetingMay2015 WHELF Annual Report 2014-15 | Page 9 An annual joint event for “librarians supporting HE in FE” was held on the 23rd June at the University of South Wales. The morning session was dedicated to an exchange information of and updates from each attending FE and HE institution, whilst the afternoon session was facilitated Nicola by Robinson, Human Resources Partner and focussed at USW, on managing change. ABERYSTWYTH/BANGOR ABERYSTWYTH/BANGOR ALLIANCE STRATEGIC working together Library services in both institutions are to to deliver a Leadership Foundation funded project and efficiency in the models of effectiveness explore is list services. The project delivery of online reading being led by Bangor University. IN ACTION WELSH COLLABORATION and the University of South Wales. The system will be and the University of South Wales. all eleven WHELF institutions and operational across University) by the NHS Libraries (via Cardiff the Welsh been has already end of 2016. The value of the project Library “Outstanding the winning WHELF with recognised Times category at the recent Higher Education Team” 2015 (THELMAs). Leadership and Managements Awards project” The judges described WHELF as an “ambitious vision trust, ability to develop a shared that “shows great alignment cross-organisational and achieve impressive Jones Aled Gruffydd Chair of WHELF, and coordination”. of Wales) (Chief Executive and Librarian, National Library is a tribute to the excellent commented that the “award library collaboration that has been developed between Wales. kinds of institutions across teams in very different on which it is founded not The mutual trust and respect to our users, and at only enhances the services we offer basis for a very strong a lower cost, but also provides further joint working in the future”.

WHELF SHARED LIBRARY WHELF SHARED LIBRARY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

& PARTNERSHIP COLLABORATION COLLABORATION 2014 drew to a close with WHELF being delighted 2014 drew Universities, to announce that a consortium of Welsh and the Welsh including the National Library of Wales, Alma unified NHS Libraries, had selected the Ex Libris management system and the Ex Libris Primo resource and delivery system to provide discovery resource unified Library Management System for the a new shared December The signing of the contract on 18th of sector. to culmination several years of work 2014 has brought During 2014 it has been the commitment, in this area. LMS work of the WHELF Shared enthusiasm and hard Owen, together with the Gareth Manager, Programme about that has brought Group members of the Working achievement. Ken Skates AM, Deputy this tremendous met colleagues Sport and Tourism, Minister for Culture, at the recent LMS project working on the WHELF Shared and commented that Conference CILIP Cymru Wales library management “working collaboratively on a shared system will bring significant benefits for students, along with financial savings. and library staff, lecturers that this excellent example of Welsh I am impressed international institutions working together has received Government attention, and I’m pleased that the Welsh has been able to support this initiative”. has continued apace in 2015 and at the time of Work cohort 1 out of the four institutions from writing three have gone live on schedule with Alma of the project Aberystwyth University and Primo: Swansea University, WHELF Representatives meeting May 2015 WHELF Representatives Page 10 | WHELF Annual Report 2014-15 networking opportunity. Leicester andOxford tonameafew, providing agreat the WHELF/GW4areas butalsoEdinburgh,Durham, and speakersattracteddelegates notjustfrom within GW4 Allianceandanappealing programme oftopics the firstcollaborativeventure betweenWHELFandthe Cardiff Universityon28thNovember. Theeventwas “Information LiteracyandtheResearcher” washeldat A TeachMeet eventonsupportingresearchers roles thatare carriedoutbystaff inWHELFinstitutions. area. Thegroup isnowsurveyingtheresearch support completed andwillhelpinformfuture directions inthis use ofrepositories forpublicationsanddatahasbeen A surveyofWHELFinstitutionstoreview thecurrent d) Organiseeventstobringstaff together tolearn c) DevelopaWHELFResearch Strategy forapproval b) Present issuesfordiscussion toWHELF a) Adviseeachotheronrelevant issues andshare good University). Thegroup’s role andremit isto: (Bangor University),SusanGlen/SamOakley(Swansea Saint David:CarmarthenandLampeter),SueHodges of Wales), AlisonHarding (UniversityofWales Trinity (Aberystwyth University),Bronwen Blatchford (University Summers (Cardiff Metropolitan University),SteveSmith Beth Hall(BangorUniversity),HelenSharp/Lynette members: OwainRoberts(NationalLibraryofWales), (SwanseaUniversity)and ChairSteveWilliams Vice Chaired byJanetPeters(Cardiff University),with The group helditsfirstmeetingon5thJuneandis is theformationofaWHELFResearch sub-group. of theWHELFActionPlan:Research andEnterprise, A keyinitiativethathasarisenoutofStrategicAim2 RESEARCH SUPPORTING by WHELF in Wales practice inthesupportofresearch andresearchers new skills. datasets programmatically. datasets andusetheirownsoftware tools toquery of Wales. Asaresult userswillbeabletodownload to thevarioustypesofdataheldbyNationalLibrary Data willfocusonproviding direct programmatic access Data willoffer anewwayof accessingcollections.NLW To complementtheseservicesNationalLibraryofWales collections websitessuchasWelsh Newspapers Online. National LibraryofWales viathecatalogueanddigital Library usersare familiarwithgaining accesstothe staff from across WHELFinstitutions. University on1stJuly2015andwasattendedby14 by Andrew CoxtookplaceatCardiff Metropolitan Management forInformationProfessionals” presented support research datamanagement.“Research Data eInformation Group) explored theskillsneededto A WHELFeventrunincollaborationwithUKeiG(UK Humanities. working inparticularwiththeCollegeofArtsand conducting amajorreview oftheir Research Reserve on theResearcher Development programme andis Services. TheLibraryalsonowcontributesandteaches on thiswiththeirResearch andEnterpriseOfficeIT Library runstheservicebuthasworkedcollaboratively Management Servicewithassociatedwebpages.The Bangor UniversityhassetupaResearch Data WHELF Annual Report 2014-15 | Page 11

(organised by the Confucius Institute). (held at the Alex Building, Swansea) Educator and Reformer in China and World War One War and World Lampeter: Birthplace of Welsh Rugby • Lampeter: Birthplace of Welsh Micrographia • 350th Anniversary of Robert Hooke’s China and The Art of Calligraphy • Interpreting Alfred Bastien’s Panorama de l’Yser Bastien’s • Alfred • Thomas Phillips (1760-1851): Bringing China to Wales Three Seasons with the Football Club (1962-64) • Three Missionary, • Timothy (1845-1919): Welsh Richard introduced to a variety of sources through seminars, through to a variety of sources introduced and libraries across visits to archives and lectures an opportunity Swansea. The new module has provided services to interact with students for library and archive a much closer level and contributes to at and staff the (and grades) and improving raising standards student experience. ongoing for A similar module collaboration has been at the a number of years between Special Collections and Saint David: Carmarthen Trinity University of Wales and the Faculty of Humanities and Performing Lampeter, to the an introduction Arts. The module provides interpretation handling, conservation, cataloguing and the historic collections materials from of primary source and is of the Roderic Bowen Library and Archives use of designed to help students understand the material and encourage the use of primary source special collections in assignments and dissertations. at University The Roderic Bowen Library and Archives Saint David, ran a series of exhibitions Trinity of Wales the year: throughout College • A Lost Generation: St David’s

Bangor University can now boast the largest collection Bangor University can now boast the largest and the north of England, of Arthurian books in Wales County Council, with Flintshire following an agreement and valuable Arthurian who have donated a rare The Library and Archives. Collection to the University’s for students studying collection is a valuable resource undergraduate modules or the the Arthurian Literature but will in Arthurian Literature, MA degree University’s anyone who wants to discover Arthurian also interest Sue Hodges, Bangor University’s generally. studies more commented: “this is a Libraries and Archives, of Director Studies fantastic collection which will support Arthurian teaching and learning within Bangor University research, and internationally and it augments and enhances our very grateful to Flintshire are existing collection. We closely County Libraries for this acquisition. Working promote with Dr Radulescu, we will manage, conserve, it can be and digitise some of the collection so that opened up further for the public and communities within Wales”. at Swansea University Burton Archives The Richard a “lost” Dylan Thomas notebook. acquired has recently The University successfully bid £85,000 at an auction for the notebook, which lay forgotten in a in Sotheby’s coming to light. It is recently drawer for decades before one of five notebooks used by Dylan Thomas - the other at Buffalo. in the State University of New York four are that the notebook will remain The acquisition ensures notebook and accessible to scholars. The in Wales was on display at the University as part of the inaugural the first International 14th May, Dylan Thomas Day on time it has ever been seen publicly. An ongoing collaboration at Swansea University has librarians and academic staff between archivists, for learning developed the use of primary resources and teaching. ‘The Practice of History’ is a compulsory module for all second level single honours and joint honours History students. It aims to teach students by historians but in the the essential skills required based. Following past had been primarily lecture to student feedback, the module was redesigned working with practical and based around make it more the semester students are Throughout primary sources. COLLECTIONS Page 12 | WHELF Annual Report 2014-15 items canaddtothewealthof knowledge. work withresearcherstoensure thatthesepriceless potentialandwe Our collectionshavemulti-disciplinary purchase ofdiamondsin‘The Richard BurtonDiaries’. Wales Coalfield,coppersmeltingforglobaltrade,orthe This couldbeaboutminingaccidentsintheSouth catalogues, helpinginthehuntforresearchriches. the past.Archivestaffmapoutcollectionsthrough coloured illumination;justasarchivesthrowlighton uniquecollections,arehighlighted withjewel preserving inaccessible places.Ourstateoftheartfacilities, image challengesstereotypesofarchivesasdusty, mined, polishedandpresentedtotheworld.The trove filledwithgemsofideasandinformationtobe image oftheRichardBurtonArchivesasatreasure individual photographswereoverlaidtocreatethis precious nuggetofinformation.Morethan50 Researchers arelookingforthathiddengem, supporting description. support research, bycreating thefollowingimageand to showcasetheworldhowtheircollections as Artcompetition.TheArchives tookthisopportunity submitted anentrytoSwanseaUniversity’s Research In thesummerof2015Richard BurtonArchives late DannieAbse’s Eccentric. such asRhonddaRoundabout,byJackJonesandthe Pinter andTerence Rattigan,tothelesswell-known, well-known playwrightssuchasDavidHare, Harold theatre literature andmanuscripts,includesscriptsfrom The valuablecollectionofover100,000playtexts, houses thelargestlendingcollectionofplaysinEnglish. The RoyalWelsh CollegeofMusicandDramanow it washousedinOxford. director oftheReligiousExperienceResearch Unitwhen of twoseminalbiographiesAlisterHardy andwasthe the personallibraryofDavidHay. DavidHaywrote one at theUniversityofWales Trinity SaintDavidwasgifted The AlisterHardy ReligiousExperienceResearch Centre are justafewexamplesfrom theseprecious collections: Libraries containmanyrichandvariedtreasures. Here The Archives andSpecialCollections oftheWHELF WHELF’S TREASURES possible torunsearches basedonlanguage. illustrations, mapsandphotographs)itisnowalso based onfivesub-categories(cartoons,graphs, site hasthefacilitytobrowse imagesinthenewspapers resource onatabletormobilephone.Inaddition,the used whichimproves theexperienceofaccessing The newwebsitealsoresponds tothedevicebeing giving access to 15 million articles and 1.1 million pages. and othersfrom titlesthatwere already onthewebsite pages ofdigitisednewspapers,somefrom newtitles been unveiled.Thewebsitecontains400,000additional The new Welsh Newspapers Online website has recently WELSH NEWSPAPERS ONLINE six yearperiodfrom 2002to2008. School ofArtandDesignbytheRackhamfamilyovera such aslettersandnotebooks,donatedtoCardiff from hispersonalcollectionandassociatedephemera and Albert Victoria Museum, 1914-38), along with books Rackham (KeeperoftheDepartmentCeramicsat collection ofover70bookswrittenoreditedbyBernard The proof sitswithinTheRackham Collection:a which partsofthebookwere written bywhichauthor. coloured pencilandthese markings appeartoindicate published in1924.Thispublisher’s proof ismarkedin Pottery byBernard RackhamandHerbertRead,first The imageshowsapublisher’s proof ofthebookEnglish SPECIAL COLLECTIONS CARDIFF METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY WHELF Annual Report 2014-15 | Page 13 Conrad Gesner (1516-1565) was arguably the greatest Conrad Gesner (1516-1565) was arguably the greatest naturalist of his age. Between 1551 and 1558, Gesner masterwork, the History of published a four-volume Animals. His work was possible in a large part due to he established with leading the web of correspondence RODERIC BOWEN LIBRARY AND RODERIC BOWEN LIBRARY TRINITY ARCHIVES, UNIVERSITY OF WALES SAINT DAVID Library and The Lampeter Bible in the Roderic Bowen manuscript for many reasons. is a remarkable Archives his own It is signed by the scribe, who not only gave 1279, and name, ‘G. of Fécamp’, but also the date, Abbot Jacobus (James) of the the name of his patron, (Diocese of Benedictine Abbey of Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives Sées) in Normandy. Johnson in the preparation of his Dictionary (1755) of his Johnson in the preparation (1765). Johnson of Shakespeare and his own edition the who copied material from employed amanuenses in his own also a few notes are volumes and there set, owned by another six comes from hand. Volume which by Styan Thirlby, and annotated Walpole Edward when he was working on his own was lent to Johnson later passed through edition. The volumes Shakespeare of George Steevens and Richard the library collections of Nanteos by George Powell purchase Heber before was later bequeathed to the in 1862. His collection University. The Special Collections department houses a copy of published edition of Shakespeare William Warburton’s in 1747, in eight volumes. This was used by Samuel ABERYSTWYTH UNIVERSITY ABERYSTWYTH SPECIAL COLLECTIONS Side by Side is the first artists’ book by British Side by Side is the first artists’ book by George. conceptual duo, “the sculptors” Gilbert & to the book that: “These They state in their introduction a contemporary sculpture chapters together represent experience. novel. It is based on plans, intentions and the expression The form being abstract air brushes and held in the growing copy, The library’s sculpture…” pure limited edition Artists’ Books Collection, is no. 398 of a copies. of 600 signed and numbered Page 14 | WHELF Annual Report 2014-15 2009 whichrepresented acollaborationbetweenthe Bangor University’s 125thAnniversaryCelebrations in The BangorPontificalProject wasaninitiativeof SPECIAL COLLECTIONS BANGOR UNIVERSITYARCHIVES& were trainedbyPeterPaul Rubens. origin.Theengraversofthiswork subjects ofEastern hunting methodsoftherenaissance with fanciful these designs(andothers)depictingthetraditional Cajano. TheVenationes magnificentlycommemorates oftwentyroomsadornment inthePalaceofPeggio-a- representations ofhunting,fowlingandfishingforthe by Cosimode’Medicitodesignaseriesoflavish for tapestries.From 1553to1571 hewasemployed for mostofhislifeinItalyasadesignercartoons Flemish RenaissanceartistJanvanderStraatworked Lucas SchanofStrasbourg. The beautifulwoodcutswere produced bytheartist extensive useofillustrationwasunusualfortheperiod. on bothsidesoftheCatholic-Protestant divide.Gesner’s extreme religious tensionGesnermaintainedfriendships ideas, senthimplants,animalsandgems.Atatimeof naturalists throughout Europe who,inadditiontotheir manuscript isregarded asoneofthemostimportant Delves, thedeputy-justiceofnorthWales, in1352.The wereAnglesey andCaernarvon compiledbyJohnde The firsttwosectionsofthismanuscript,theExtent University Archive. occasions, althoughitisnowkeptforsafetyinBangor and itisstillbrought totheCathedralforspecial is ownedbytheDeanandChapterofBangorCathedral to containsubstantialplainchantnotation.ThePontifical just twoextantbooksfrom medievalWales asawhole survive from themedievaldioceseofBangor, andoneof being theonlycompleteliturgicalmanuscriptknownto The BangorPontificalisanexceptionalmanuscript, via astate-of-theartpermanenthighresolution website. Bangor Pontifical-tobemadeuniversallyaccessible hidden andprecious treasure ofmedievalBangor-the University andBangorCathedral.Theproject enableda WHELF Annual Report 2014-15 | Page 15 The ‘Hengwrt Chaucer’ is undoubtedly one of the The ‘Hengwrt Chaucer’ and of the National Library of Wales treasures greatest It is one of the outside Wales. one of the best known work to Chaucer’s of Geoffrey most important texts been its importance has recently come down to us, and of its scribe as Adam magnified by the identification London-based associates. Pinkhurst, one of Chaucer’s have been written at the end of the The manuscript may fourteenth century. THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF WALES OF WALES LIBRARY THE NATIONAL because The Black Book of Carmarthen, so called with of the colour of its binding and its connection Teulyddog, the Priory of St John the Evangelist and Carmarthen, is now thought by modern scholars to be periods of the work of a single scribe writing at different and about the year 1250. This makes it his life before written solely one of the earliest surviving manuscripts language. It was designated one of the in the Welsh by William Forbes Skene ‘Four Ancient Books of Wales’ been written (1809-92), although he believed it to have much earlier in the twelfth century. sources for the economic and social history of medieval for the economic and sources description of the rents a detailed Gwynedd. It provides from the ruler or lord due to and services which were his tenants. composed 1906-17, which were A collection of poems, in Eisteddfod competitions. In by Hedd Wyn for entry ode early versions of the winning are there particular, which won him Yr Arwr, in the Birkenhead Eisteddfod, Eisteddfod following his the Chair at the Birkenhead War, in Flanders in the Great death on the battlefield letter “Rhiwle yn Ffrainc” discovered and the recently of the view a poet’s written in 1917. This letter provides does not reveal life ‘behind the line’ and yet heroically but focuses on the of the trenches, the actual horrors finds to few small moments of beauty that the poet with the reader. contemplate and share Page 16 | WHELF Annual Report 2014-15 encrusted withprecious stones. for producing elaboratebindingsinlaidwithgoldand Guild ofHandicraftascoloured photolithographs. were produced inLondonbyCharlesRobertAshbee’s in 1892bytheEnglishartistMaryHensman.Themaps study thesebeautifulhand-coloured maps, produced hoping tofollowinDante’s footstepswoulddowellto throughout Italywandering from citytocity. Anyscholar the rest ofhislifeinpolitical exile,Dantetravelled beloved Florence, thecity of hisbirth.Forced tospend Divine Comedy, waspermanentlybanishedfrom his In 1302theItalianpoetDanteAlighieri,authorof COLLECTIONS ANDARCHIVES(SCOLAR) CARDIFF UNIVERSITYSPECIAL Library ofWales. accessions tothemanuscriptcollectionsofNational since 1923,itisoneofthemostimportantrecent in theWelsh languagetoappearatpublicauction of nativeWelsh law. Asthefirstmedievalmanuscript the fourteenthcentury, andcontainstheDyfedversion small Welsh manuscriptdatingfrom thesecondhalfof The BostonManuscriptoftheLawsHywelDdaisa this binderywasbestknown George Sutcliffe in1901, by FrancisSangorskiand for theperiod.Formed epitome ofthebookarts Sangorski &Sutcliffe, the the famedLondonfirmof outstanding examplesfrom centuries, includingseveral nineteenth andearlytwentieth leading craftsmenofthelate bindings bysomeofthe number ofexceptional University alsohasalarge Special CollectionsatCardiff Development inthePresent Day. thecraft,Illuminationandits people wishingtolearn illuminator, andalsotheauthorofa“how-toguide”for wasapainter,in 1910.Farnsworth sculptorand written outandhand-illuminatedbySidneyFarnsworth Gray’s ElegyWritten inaCountryChurchyard was illuminated manuscripts.ThisbeautifulcopyofThomas bindings, Cardiff Universityalsoholdsarangeofmodern In additiontotheirmajorprivatepress booksandfine a uniquepicture oflifeinthecoalfieldvalleysduring important research resource. TheCollectionprovides The SouthWales Coalfield Collectionisaninternationally of theactorRichard Burton. English, andtheUniversity. Itisthehomeofarchives unions), industrialandbusinessrecords, Welsh writingin the organisationstheywere involvedinsuchastrade Wales Coalfield(particularly records ofminersand significance. Thecollectionshavestrengths intheSouth material oflocal,regional, nationalandinternational and archive repository ofSwanseaUniversityandholds The Richard BurtonArchives isthecorporatememory ARCHIVES RICHARD BURTON SWANSEA UNIVERSITY WHELF Annual Report 2014-15 | Page 17 , and Raymond 1 Dai Smith, ‘Williams, Raymond Henry (1921–1988)’, rev. Oxford Dictionary Oxford Dai Smith, ‘Williams, Raymond Henry (1921–1988)’, rev. publications, such as ‘Culture and Society’ (1958), ‘The and ‘Culture publications, such as and his other critical writings Long Revolution’ (1961), boundaries of thought and ‘challenged conventional their academic compartmentalization’ of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, Oct 2009 University Press, Oxford of National Biography, accessed 24 Aug 2015] [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/39847, 1 Williams fiction saw a unity between his non-fiction and (1960). Country’ work, such as ‘Border varied particularly Collections are The Local Archive The of many local businesses. and include the records represented, well are in the area metallurgical industries and steel. These patents tinplate particularly copper, to Sir Henry Hussey Vivian, issued politician and were in the industrialist (1821-1894), for his innovations of copper in the United Kingdom, and are manufacture Hungary, accompanied by patents issued in Austria, and Canada. It has been suggested France, Germany, for the expansion and that he was largely responsible diversification of Vivian & Sons, and that his influence centre was key to Swansea becoming ‘the metallurgical of the world’. The focus of the literary collections at the Richard Burton The focus of the literary collections at the Richard in English. These included Writers Welsh are Archives cultural critic and writer the papers of the renowned Raymond Williams (1921-1988). The collection consists of manuscripts and typescripts of novels, dramatic works, poetry and academic writings; correspondence; and articles. The notebooks lectures published reviews, particularly important as Raymond Williamsare jotted down initial ideas for later development. His the late nineteenth and the twentieth centuries, the late nineteenth and the twentieth centuries, and the concentrating on the workers themselves of trade It contains records organisations they created. unions, notably the National Union of Mineworkers miners’ institutes, co-operative Area), (South Wales the mining societies and individuals connected with occurred During the 1920s industrial unrest community. with the mining communities being in South Wales, hit by the strikes of 1921 and 1926. particularly hard This photograph depicts the supportive relationship being sent by between co-operative societies, with gifts to their members of the London Co-operative Society fellow co-operators in Dowlais. Page 18 | WHELF Annual Report 2014-15 access-and-borrowing-schemes local community. For furtherdetailsseewhelf.ac.uk/ access totheirlibraryforthegeneralpublicand sectoral andcommunityborrowing schemes toallow institutions are alsomembersof a numberofcross- most ofourlibrariesviaSCONULAccess.WHELF the WHELFwebsite.HEstudentsandstaff can access signpost theschemesthatare onoffer toourusersvia was consolidatedduring2014-15tostreamline and schemes offered bytheWHELFinstitutions.Thiswork Plan includesurveyingthelibraryaccessandborrowing Work carriedoutduring2013-14ontheWHELFAction ACCESS WIDENING Saint David:CarmarthenandLampeter. Metropolitan Universityand UniversityofWales Trinity University, BangorUniversity, Cardiff University, Cardiff resources inWelsh HELibraries.TheyjoinAberystwyth enables membersofthepublicaccesstoelectronic member ofWHELFtobecomepartthisschemethat The UniversityofSouthWales hasbecomethenewest WALK INACCESS WHELF Annual Report 2014-15 | Page 19 Society) (Cardiff Metropolitan University, 15th- University, Metropolitan Society) (Cardiff launched a new book 17th July). The conference and South Guide to Cardiff entitled Art Researchers’ Kristine Chapman edited by Louise Carey, Wales (Cardiff Jenny Godfrey (National Museum of Wales), University), and Peter Keelan (Cardiff Metropolitan University). Challenges: understanding the recent legislative Challenges: understanding the recent (University changes and how to use them effectively” January 26th) of South Wales, University, 17th July) University, University, 9th July) University, The 46th ARLIS UK & Ireland Conference (Art Libraries Conference • The 46th ARLIS UK & Ireland SCONUL ACCSG training event “Copyright • SCONUL ACCSG training event “Copyright Librarians developing digital literacies (Cardiff • Librarians developing digital literacies (Cardiff The institution as academic publisher (Cardiff • The institution as academic publisher (Cardiff

Cardiff University 5th May) University Cardiff CILIP CYMRU LIBRARIAN OF THE YEAR was Mark Hughes, Head award The winner of this year’s of Collections, Information Systems and Services at given by the Chartered The award, Swansea University. in Institute of Library and Information Professionals the dedication and (CILIP Cymru), reflects Wales work that an individual gives to the profession. hard and collaborative work style has driven projects Mark’s Wales benefit of HE libraries across to the procurements LMS incorporating his work on the WHELF Shared WHEEL (Wales and as Chair of the WHELF sub-group Library). Higher Education Electronic development events have also A number of other staff of the year and WHELF thanks the staff been run across its institutions for their commitment and enthusiasm in running these events: 21st April; (Bangor University, • Datacite Workshops The Gregynog Colloquium this year was again a highly The Gregynog June 15th-19th with successful event which ran from WHELF a theme of collaboration and partnership. event, year’s would like to thank the organizers of this University and Cardiff University, Metropolitan Cardiff Higher Education Institutions Staff the WHISD (Wales for scheduling an excellent Development) sub-group of speakers and workshops and informative programme talks. A sunny and also thank all those who delivered SHEDL (Scotland), welcomed speakers from Gregynog Cascade Jisc, Ex Libris, LIBISnet (Belgium), Orbis Alliance (USA), Pleiade Management & Consultancy the WHELF from (Netherlands) and many more institutions. DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL CONTINUING CONTINUING Page 20 | WHELF Annual Report 2014-15 Special Collectionssub-group. for theirsupportandworkontheWHELFArchives & much missedandwewouldalsoliketothankthem University. Theirknowledge andexperiencewillbevery Collections andResource Management atAberystwyth University Archivist atBangorand ElganDavies,Headof in Archives andSpecialCollections; EinionThomas, We bidfarewell totwolongstandingmembersofstaff work andsupportontheWHELFCopyrightsub-group. wish Bethwellinhernewventure and thank herfor Officer withaprivateeducationcompanyinDubai. We Wales haslefttoexplore anewopportunityasCopyright Beth Pearce, CopyrightOfficer at theUniversityofSouth returned tohisrole atCardiff Metropolitan University. whilst Bronwen leave.Markhasnow wasonmaternity thanks toMarkLesterforhiscontributionWHELF of theUniversityWales andwouldliketoexpress our We alsowelcomedbackBronwen Blatchford, Librarian was publishedbySconulin2014. employability skillsandherliterature review onthistopic the role thatinformationspecialists haveindeveloping Service. OneofMegan’s professional interests isin role ActingHeadofInformationServicesandCareers University ofBristolwhere shewasinhermostrecent College ofMusicandDrama.Meganjoinsusfrom the meetings, MeganWiley, LibrarianoftheRoyalWelsh We welcomedanewWHELFrepresentative toour PEOPLE the future. and commitment.We wishAled all theverybestfor and havebenefittedfrom hisenthusiasm, knowledge Jones. We haveverymuch enjoyedworkingwithAled Finally, webid farewell toChairofWHELF, AledGruffydd Miners Libraryintotherole ofVice-Chair. LibrarianSouthWalessub-group andSianWilliams, as newChairoftheArchives and SpecialCollections Head ofCollectionCare attheNational LibraryofWales Advanced Study. WHELFwelcomesSallyMcInness, Humanities attheUniversityofLondon’s Schoolof wellinhernewrolewish Lorna asChairinDigital Archives andSpecialCollectionssub-group andwe We HughesforChairingtheWHELF alsothankLorna WHELF Annual Report 2014-15 | Page 21 (Aberystwyth University) Paul Jeorrett (Glyndwˆr University) (Glyndwˆr Paul Jeorrett (Cardiff University) (Cardiff Metropolitan University) Metropolitan Promotion and Marketing (WHELF Officers) • Promotion Support to achieve the objectives of the action plan is by other WHELF members, the WHELF sub- provided the WHELF Development Officer and partner groups, organisations. Workforce Development: Julie Hart • Aim 4 Workforce • Aim 3 International and Globalised University: Research and Enterprise: Janet Peters • Aim 2 Research WHELF ACTION PLAN targets and A yearly action plan sets WHELF’s the four themes of around timescales and is structured to bring our Strategic the WHELF Strategic plan in order role fulfils the A WHELF representative Aims in to effect. as follows: of Strategic Aim Lead for each area • Aim 1 Student Experience: Emma Adamson (Cardiff

The Officers Group meets four times a year ahead of the The Officers Group main WHELF meetings. Membership for 2014-15: Chair: Sue Hodges, Bangor University Jones, NLW Aled Gruffydd Julie Hart, Aberystwyth University (WHELF Treasurer) Rachael Whitfield, WHELF Development Officer WHELF OFFICERS GROUP

WHELF MEETINGS WHELF met four times during the year: Hall 9th - 10th October 2014 at Gregynog 12th February 2015 via videoconference Library 30th April - 1st May 2015 at Gladstone’s 13th July 2015 via videoconference CONSTITUTION Page 22 | WHELF Annual Report 2014-15 Glyndwˆ rUniversity Sue Hodges,BangorUniversity;PaulJeorrett, North Wales LibraryPartnership Mark Hughes Jisc KnowledgeBase+Technical AdvisoryGroup Janet Peters,Cardiff University Group -Jisc) (ElectronicEIRWG InformationResources Working UWTSD: Swansea Julie Hart,AberystwythUniversity;AnneHarvey, CyMAL LibrariesInspire AdvisoryGroup Janet Peters,Cardiff University British LibraryAdvisoryBoard Mark Hughes,SwanseaUniversity BIC /CILIPRFIDinLibrariesGroup Janet Peters,Cardiff University Libraries ExtensionService AWHILES -theAll-Wales HealthInformationand Paul Jeorrett, Glyndwˆ rUniversity Conference OrganisingGroup Academic andResearch LibrariesGroup (ARLG) national andUKorganisations.Theseinclude: WHELF membersare represented onawiderangeof WALES REPRESENTING Nicola Watkinson, Glyndwˆ rUniversity Alison Harding, UniversityofWales Trinity Saint David; Welsh InformationLiteracy Project SteeringGroup Mark Hughes,SwanseaUniversity SCONUL Shared ServicesStrategy Group Alison Harding, UWTSD:Carmarthen &Lampeter SCONUL AccessSteeringGroup Aberystwyth University Ann Davies,OpenUniversity;JulieHart, SCONUL PerformanceandQuality:Statisticssub-group Paul Jeorrett, Glyndwˆ rUniversity Quality sub-group SCONUL PerformanceandQualityStrategyGroup: Sue Hodges,BangorUniversity Strategy Group SCONUL AcademicContentandCommunication Swansea University Sue Hodges,BangorUniversity;SteveWilliams, SCONUL ExecutiveBoard WHELF Annual Report 2014-15 | Page 23 For further information please contact:

Rachael Whitfield WHELF Development Officer Library & Information Services Swansea University Singleton Park Swansea SA2 8PP

Email: [email protected] Web: www.whelf.ac.uk Twitter: @whelfed

Cover Image: The Archives Treasure Hoard - Richard Burton Archives and Ian Vine.