University of London , Standing Conference of the Librarians of the Libraries of the University of London (SCOLLUL)

On the 23 September 1954 a group of librarians from different Colleges, Schools and Institutes of the University of London gathered to discuss the formation of an organisation of University of London Librarians.In July 1955 chief librarians of the University of London Librarians met as the Standing Conference of the Librarians of the Libraries of the University of London (SCOLLUL). At this meeting they devised a constitution which defined the object of the SCOLLUL as to consider and take action on matters connected with the libraries of the University. Such matters included library staff salaries and qualifications; completion of union catalogues, and library resources. SCOLLUL came to an end in 1974 and was succeeded by the Library Resources Co-ordinating Committee. In addition, the Senate set up a Committee on Library Resources in 1967 to investigate the possibilities of increasing co-operation in the rationalisation of resources. The Committee presented its report in 1971 and after wide discussion the Library Resources Co-ordinating Committee was established in 1974 as a permanent central activity reporting to the Senate. To promote co-operation, subject sub-committees were set up, based on the Boards of Studies, and each library with a major interest in the subject sent a representative, the aim being to have a balance of librarians and academics. A co-operative approach to computers was also encouraged. A systems analyst was appointed to investigate a scheme to cover acquisitions, cataloguing and issue systems to be shared by a number of libraries. A parallel organisation, Central Information Services, was set up to review the on-line databases that were becoming available. CIS did much useful work in familiarising librarians and academics with a new concept and in running training courses in search techniques. During this period the ULL had a Library Board.
The formation of the LRCC affected the University Library in a number of ways. The duties of the Librarian were widened to include overall responsibility for the administration of the Central Information Services, the Depository Library and the committees of the LRCC. The title now became Director of Central Library Services and Goldsmiths' Librarian and the first holder of the reconstituted post was appointed in 1974. The University Library was itself now an activity of the LRCC and its policies were subjected to wider scrutiny and approval. ACCULL, the Advisory Committee on the University Library, was the ULL official committee during the period 1974-1994. The SCOLLUL was served by an executive committee, which included the Chair and Secretary of the Conference, as well as six other members. The work of the Conference was delegated to various Conference sub committees.