Glasgow University Library
Encyclopedia
The University of Glasgow
Library is one of the oldest and largest University libraries
in Europe
. It holds more than 2.5 million books and journals
, as well as providing access to an extensive range of electronic resources including over 30,000 electronic journals.
The current 12-storey building, openened in 1968, is a prominent landmark
in Glasgow's West End, and may be classified as a mid-rise skyscraper
and its distinctive outline can be seen from several kilometers around.
, were recorded. The Library grew steadily throughout the 18th century due largely to the fact that it was granted legal deposit status between 1709-1836. Legal deposit ceased in 1836 and the Library was granted an annual lump sum which allowed it to develop its collections in line with the University's teaching and research interests. The library of the royal physician to Queen Charlotte, William Hunter
, received in 1807, comprised some 10,000 volumes that augmented the library's holdings by fifty percent, and extended their reach well beyond the contemporary curriculum; of Hunter's 650 manuscript codices, over a hundred are illuminated
, and his incunabula "accorded Glasgow a prominence that it could not have achieved with its own resources".
By 1888 the holdings of the Library had risen to around 126,000 volumes, due in part to large donations and contributions by wealthy private collectors, such as William Hunter, John Smith of Crutherland, George Walker-Arnott, William Euing and David Murray.
From 1870 until 1968, the University Library was housed within the main Gilbert Scott Building. The old Library closed in July 1968 and the new building opened to readers on 30 September 1968.
during the 1960s. In line with architectural fashion of the period, it is of Brutalist design, being clad in Precast concrete
flint aggregate panels. The main library floors are stacked in a central core with the peripheral towers containing services. The cluster of towers are reminiscent of San Gimignano
, and form part of a complex that also incorporates the Hunterian Art Gallery. The original building has been extensively refurbished to facilitate a modern information technology
environment. The library has collections ranging from astronomy to zoology, as well as a world-class Special Collections
department. Special Collections on level 12 has an internationally significant collection of manuscripts and printed works. In the foyer there is a display area featuring changing exhibitions of rare material from their collections. In 1993 the Glasgow University Library complex was selected by the international conservation organisation DoCoMoMo as one of sixty key Scottish monuments
of the post-war
era.
Open 361 days of the year, the library provides a resource not only for the academic community in Glasgow, but also for scholars worldwide. There are study spaces for more than 2500 students, with over 800 computers. Wi-fi
access is available throughout the building. A new cafe and social learning space was opened in 2009.
The library is the only European Documentation Centre (EDC) in the west of Scotland, and one of the largest in the UK. The EDC is part of the Maps, Official Publications and Statistics Unit on Level 7. Other notable collections include music scores, Russian and East European material and significant 18th and 19th century print books and journals at the Library Research Annexe.
Specialist collections for veterinary medicine, dentistry and chemistry are held in separate branch libraries around campus. Additionally, the Adam Smith
library holds undergraduate social science materials.
The library staff comprises a team of over two hundred daytime, evening and weekend staff. The University Librarian is Helen Durndell.
University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
Library is one of the oldest and largest University libraries
Academic library
An academic library is a library that is attached to academic institutions above the secondary level, serving the teaching and research needs of students and staff...
in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. It holds more than 2.5 million books and journals
Academic journal
An academic journal is a peer-reviewed periodical in which scholarship relating to a particular academic discipline is published. Academic journals serve as forums for the introduction and presentation for scrutiny of new research, and the critique of existing research...
, as well as providing access to an extensive range of electronic resources including over 30,000 electronic journals.
The current 12-storey building, openened in 1968, is a prominent landmark
Landmark
This is a list of landmarks around the world.Landmarks may be split into two categories - natural phenomena and man-made features, like buildings, bridges, statues, public squares and so forth...
in Glasgow's West End, and may be classified as a mid-rise skyscraper
Skyscraper
A skyscraper is a tall, continuously habitable building of many stories, often designed for office and commercial use. There is no official definition or height above which a building may be classified as a skyscraper...
and its distinctive outline can be seen from several kilometers around.
History
The first explicit mention of the Library is dated November 1475, when the first donations by the University's Chancellor, Bishop John LaingJohn Laing (bishop)
John Laing was a 15th century bishop of Glasgow. He was from the family of "Redhouse" in the shire of Edinburgh. Before becoming bishop he was rector of Tannadice in Angus, vicar of Linlithgow, and was rector of Newlands in the diocese of Glasgow when he was provided to the see in 1474. He was...
, were recorded. The Library grew steadily throughout the 18th century due largely to the fact that it was granted legal deposit status between 1709-1836. Legal deposit ceased in 1836 and the Library was granted an annual lump sum which allowed it to develop its collections in line with the University's teaching and research interests. The library of the royal physician to Queen Charlotte, William Hunter
William Hunter (anatomist)
William Hunter FRS was a Scottish anatomist and physician. He was a leading teacher of anatomy, and the outstanding obstetrician of his day...
, received in 1807, comprised some 10,000 volumes that augmented the library's holdings by fifty percent, and extended their reach well beyond the contemporary curriculum; of Hunter's 650 manuscript codices, over a hundred are illuminated
Illuminated manuscript
An illuminated manuscript is a manuscript in which the text is supplemented by the addition of decoration, such as decorated initials, borders and miniature illustrations...
, and his incunabula "accorded Glasgow a prominence that it could not have achieved with its own resources".
By 1888 the holdings of the Library had risen to around 126,000 volumes, due in part to large donations and contributions by wealthy private collectors, such as William Hunter, John Smith of Crutherland, George Walker-Arnott, William Euing and David Murray.
From 1870 until 1968, the University Library was housed within the main Gilbert Scott Building. The old Library closed in July 1968 and the new building opened to readers on 30 September 1968.
Current building
Designed by William Whitfield, the present library was constructed in 1968, and extended in the 1980s and 1990s. It formed the centrepiece of the new campus buildings built across HillheadHillhead
Hillhead is a district of Glasgow, Scotland. Situated north of Kelvingrove Park and to the south of the River Kelvin, Hillhead is at the heart of Glasgow's fashionable West End, with Byres Road forming the western border of the area, the other boundaries being Dumbarton Road to the south and the...
during the 1960s. In line with architectural fashion of the period, it is of Brutalist design, being clad in Precast concrete
Precast concrete
By producing precast concrete in a controlled environment , the precast concrete is afforded the opportunity to properly cure and be closely monitored by plant employees. Utilizing a Precast Concrete system offers many potential advantages over site casting of concrete...
flint aggregate panels. The main library floors are stacked in a central core with the peripheral towers containing services. The cluster of towers are reminiscent of San Gimignano
San Gimignano
San Gimignano is a small walled medieval hill town in the province of Siena, Tuscany, north-central Italy. It is mainly famous for its medieval architecture, especially its towers, which may be seen from several kilometres outside the town....
, and form part of a complex that also incorporates the Hunterian Art Gallery. The original building has been extensively refurbished to facilitate a modern information technology
Information technology
Information technology is the acquisition, processing, storage and dissemination of vocal, pictorial, textual and numerical information by a microelectronics-based combination of computing and telecommunications...
environment. The library has collections ranging from astronomy to zoology, as well as a world-class Special Collections
Special collections
In library science, special collections is the name applied to a specific repository or department, usually within a library, which stores materials of a "special" nature, including rare books, archives, and collected manuscripts...
department. Special Collections on level 12 has an internationally significant collection of manuscripts and printed works. In the foyer there is a display area featuring changing exhibitions of rare material from their collections. In 1993 the Glasgow University Library complex was selected by the international conservation organisation DoCoMoMo as one of sixty key Scottish monuments
DoCoMoMo Key Scottish Monuments
DoCoMoMo Key Scottish Monuments is a list of 60 notable post-war buildings in Scotland, compiled in 1993 by the international architectural conservation organisation DoCoMoMo....
of the post-war
Post-war
A post-war period or postwar period is the interval immediately following the ending of a war and enduring as long as war does not resume. A post-war period can become an interwar period or interbellum when a war between the same parties resumes at a later date...
era.
Open 361 days of the year, the library provides a resource not only for the academic community in Glasgow, but also for scholars worldwide. There are study spaces for more than 2500 students, with over 800 computers. Wi-fi
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi or Wifi, is a mechanism for wirelessly connecting electronic devices. A device enabled with Wi-Fi, such as a personal computer, video game console, smartphone, or digital audio player, can connect to the Internet via a wireless network access point. An access point has a range of about 20...
access is available throughout the building. A new cafe and social learning space was opened in 2009.
The library is the only European Documentation Centre (EDC) in the west of Scotland, and one of the largest in the UK. The EDC is part of the Maps, Official Publications and Statistics Unit on Level 7. Other notable collections include music scores, Russian and East European material and significant 18th and 19th century print books and journals at the Library Research Annexe.
Specialist collections for veterinary medicine, dentistry and chemistry are held in separate branch libraries around campus. Additionally, the Adam Smith
Adam Smith
Adam Smith was a Scottish social philosopher and a pioneer of political economy. One of the key figures of the Scottish Enlightenment, Smith is the author of The Theory of Moral Sentiments and An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations...
library holds undergraduate social science materials.
The library staff comprises a team of over two hundred daytime, evening and weekend staff. The University Librarian is Helen Durndell.
External links
- University of Glasgow Library homepage
- Flickr account for the University of Glasgow Library
- Photographs of University of Glasgow Library under construction - from the library's special collections