Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1948-1998 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
5 linear feet
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Prior to 1957, the library (known as the Skinners' Library due to the original charitable contribution of the Skinners' Company to the Northampton Institute) had received little in the way of adequate funding or accommodation. It had opened in 1896 with 1700 volumes and the totat had only increased to some 4500 by 1956. Redesignation of the Institute as a College of Advanced Technology (CAT) required large investment in provision. In 1955 a further substantial donation from the Skinners' Company allowed the opening of a new Skinners' Library, though growth in holdings continued to be slow in comparison to other CATs. A new library was planned in the mid 1960s; the lack of funding and book stocks were highlighted in a survey of 1969 which placed the library at the bottom of a league table of university libraries. Major new grants were given from Senate and from the Skinners' to double the book stock within five years, and the move into the new library premises was made in 1970. The Cranwood Annexe branch library rejoined the main university library in 1976. A further floor was added and opened in 1979. In 1967 microform, non-book media collections, and the University Archives Collection were started. Special collections were acquired, including the Fincham collection on optics, the Auerbach collection on art and the London Society Library.
Repository
Archival history
GB 2107 Library 1948-1998 Sub-fonds of City University Archives 5 linear feet Northampton Polytechnic
Northampton College of Advanced Technology
City University
Prior to 1957, the library (known as the Skinners' Library due to the original charitable contribution of the Skinners' Company to the Northampton Institute) had received little in the way of adequate funding or accommodation. It had opened in 1896 with 1700 volumes and the totat had only increased to some 4500 by 1956. Redesignation of the Institute as a College of Advanced Technology (CAT) required large investment in provision. In 1955 a further substantial donation from the Skinners' Company allowed the opening of a new Skinners' Library, though growth in holdings continued to be slow in comparison to other CATs. A new library was planned in the mid 1960s; the lack of funding and book stocks were highlighted in a survey of 1969 which placed the library at the bottom of a league table of university libraries. Major new grants were given from Senate and from the Skinners' to double the book stock within five years, and the move into the new library premises was made in 1970. The Cranwood Annexe branch library rejoined the main university library in 1976. A further floor was added and opened in 1979. In 1967 microform, non-book media collections, and the University Archives Collection were started. Special collections were acquired, including the Fincham collection on optics, the Auerbach collection on art and the London Society Library.
Internal accumulation during the course of business.
Papers relating to the library of Northampton Polytechnic, Northampton College of Advanced Technology (CAT) and the City University, 1948-1998, including papers on Library Development, 1960s, 1990s and the Library extension, 1996-1998; Library Advisory Committee signed minutes, 1958-1965; Senate Library Committee minutes, 1966-1994; papers of the Library Acquisitions sub-committee, 1971-1989, and Library and Information Services Liaison Group, 1990-1995; Library guides, handouts and annual reports, 1960-1992; Library News/Newsheet, 1972-1976, 1983, 1994-1998; Library files, 1960s-1990s; Inter-library Loan procedure, 1968; various presscuttings on the Library, undated; Library Standards for CATs [1950s]; ALSL issue system proposal, 1971; CLSI library computer system, 1980s; OCLC Europe Master copy files, 1980s; Library Accession registers, 1948-1966; file relating to the possible acquisition of the Tasiemka Cuttings Archive, 1980-1981; file relating to the housing of the London Society and its library at CU, 1976-1991.
These papers form part of CU Library Special Collections.
On written application to the University Librarian.
At the discretion of the University Librarian.
English.
Survey lists of City University archives, 2000 (available in hard copy at City University).
City University archives hold papers relating to the inauguration of the Skinners' Library, 1955 (under administration papers) and papers of the British Computer Society relating to the housing of its own library within the CU Library.
Compiled by Robert Baxter as part of the RSLP AIM25 Project, based on survey information by Janet Foster. Source: The City University - a history by S John Teague (City University, London, 1990). Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997. Mar 2001 Academic libraries City University Clerkenwell England Europe Higher education institutions Libraries London Northampton College of Advanced Technology Northampton Polytechnic Technological institutes UK Universities Western Europe Islington Educational institutions
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Internal accumulation during the course of business.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Papers relating to the library of Northampton Polytechnic, Northampton College of Advanced Technology (CAT) and the City University, 1948-1998, including papers on Library Development, 1960s, 1990s and the Library extension, 1996-1998; Library Advisory Committee signed minutes, 1958-1965; Senate Library Committee minutes, 1966-1994; papers of the Library Acquisitions sub-committee, 1971-1989, and Library and Information Services Liaison Group, 1990-1995; Library guides, handouts and annual reports, 1960-1992; Library News/Newsheet, 1972-1976, 1983, 1994-1998; Library files, 1960s-1990s; Inter-library Loan procedure, 1968; various presscuttings on the Library, undated; Library Standards for CATs [1950s]; ALSL issue system proposal, 1971; CLSI library computer system, 1980s; OCLC Europe Master copy files, 1980s; Library Accession registers, 1948-1966; file relating to the possible acquisition of the Tasiemka Cuttings Archive, 1980-1981; file relating to the housing of the London Society and its library at CU, 1976-1991.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
These papers form part of CU Library Special Collections.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
On written application to the University Librarian.
Conditions governing reproduction
At the discretion of the University Librarian.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
- Latin
Language and script notes
English.
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
City University archives hold papers relating to the inauguration of the Skinners' Library, 1955 (under administration papers) and papers of the British Computer Society relating to the housing of its own library within the CU Library.
Finding aids
Survey lists of City University archives, 2000 (available in hard copy at City University).
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Publication note
Notes area
Note
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
Language(s)
- English