On Saturday 19 December the Library will be open 09.45 - 17.30.
On Monday 21 December - Wednesday 23 December the Library will operate vacation hours 09.00 - 18.00 (last stack fetch at 16.00)
The Library will reopen after the Christmas break on Monday 4 January at 09.00.
From Monday 4 January 2010 to Friday 8 January 2010 inclusive the Library will operate vacation hours: 09.00 - 18.00pm.
Saturday 9 Jan opening hours will be as usual: 09.45 - 17.30.
From Monday 11 Jan we will resume normal opening hours:
Monday - Thursday 09.00 - 21.00; Friday 09.00 - 18.30; Saturday 09.45 - 17.30
Friday 18 December 2009
Improving PC provision
We're pleased to announce we have replaced PCs in the NG library areas with newly built Digitial Resource Centre PCs. These include some additional software including Endnote and are connected to the printer/photocopier.
As part of a planned programme of improving services we will be making network points live for laptop users early in January andare investigating WiFi access in this area, follwoing feedback from users.
As part of a planned programme of improving services we will be making network points live for laptop users early in January andare investigating WiFi access in this area, follwoing feedback from users.
Books added to collection in November 2009
A shorter list this month (with a slight emphasis on South Asia) as our cataloguer has been concentrating on tidying up records and locations on records following our move.
A list of new books added to the collection can be found on our new books page
A list of new books added to the collection can be found on our new books page
Wednesday 16 December 2009
At Last: A Christmas in the West Indies
A fitting title to highlight as we first experience snow this winter. The author, Charles Kingsley was an Engligh clergymen, novelist, and historian, best known perhaps for his book The Water Babies.
At Last: A Christmas in the West Indies, describes the author's travels to the West Indies, largely focussed on Trinidad, in 1869. The book is illustrated and includes botanical illustrations. It is in many ways a typical 'travel' book of its time, rich in description and presenting an 'imperial' position and outlook on the colony, although as critics such as Claudia Brandenstein, Simon Gikandi and Catherine Hall have pointed out, this position is complicated and in some respects an ambivalent one.
Kingsley went to the West Indies with liberal and Christian sympathies, but he found it difficult to be objective about what he witnessed due to his theological background and intellectual tradition. For example, he supported the strict control and supervision of the indentured Coolies, even though in England he was a strong advocate of emancipation and the creation of a '"moral bond"' between employee and employer. Gikandi argues that Kingsley reached this conclusion about the West Indian context not because of what he saw there or because of his understanding of the Coolies' own views and perspectives. "Rather the traveler reaches his conclusions from three mutually informing sources: official reports (both oral and written), intellectual Orientalism, and evolutionary doctrines".
Interested readers can of course consult this book in the library, It is also available in a full text digitised version within the Internet Archive.
This work is but one of many such works by travellers reporting on the Caribbean within the collection. If interested in other works please contact library staff.
Monday 7 December 2009
New online resources - 19th Century British Pamphlets
Members of the library now have access to the new 19th Century British Pamphlets collection. This collection, created by RLUK (Research Libraries UK), contains a number of the most significant British pamphlets from the 19th century held in UK research libraries. Pamphlets were an important means of public debate, covering the key political, social, technological, and environmental issues of their day. They have been underutilized within research and teaching because they are generally quite difficult to access – often bound together in large numbers or otherwise hard to find in the few research libraries that hold them. The digitization of more than 20,000 pamphlets from seven UK institutions will provide researchers, students, and teachers with an immensely rich and coherent corpus of primary sources with which to study the socio-political and economic landscape of 19th century Britain. This collection was created with funding from the JISC Digitisation Programme
Significant collections within the resource for colonial history include:
Earl Grey Pamphlets Collection
Still owned by the family, this collection was largely accumulated by the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Earls Grey. Charles was Foreign Secretary (1806-07) and Prime Minister (1830-34). Henry George was Under Secretary for Home Affairs (1830) and the Colonies (1830-34), Secretary at War (1835-39), and Secretary of State for the Colonies (1846-52). Albert Henry George was Administrator of Rhodesia (1896-97) and Governor-General of Canada (1904-11). The Greys were particularly interested in parliamentary reform, colonial affairs and Catholic emancipation.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office Collection
On deposit from the FCO, this collection comprises the earlier collections of the Foreign Office and the Colonial Office. Both include rare publications from overseas. The Foreign Office Collection consists largely of pamphlets sent back to London by British ambassadors to help with policy formation. It is particularly rich in material related to South America, the Near East, and to the various great European political "questions" of the 19th century. The Colonial Office Collection is chiefly comprised of pamphlets sent back from Britain's colonies, including some unique early material from Australasia.
Knowsley Pamphlet Collection
The Knowsley collection reflects the political careers of the Earls of Derby. Edward George, the 14th Earl, was successively Irish Secretary (1830-33), Colonial Secretary (1833-34, 1841-44), and three times Prime Minister (1852, 1858-59, and 1866-68). His son, Edward Henry, 15th Earl, was Colonial Secretary and later Indian secretary in his father's administration of 1858-59.
LSE Selected Pamphlets
LSE has a substantial number of 19th century pamphlets. Among its pamphlets are comprehensive collections of political party materials, including election manifestos and political cartoons. There are also collections from pressure groups such as the Fabian Society, Imperial Federation Defence Committee, Poor Law Reform Association, Workhouse Visiting Society, Liberal and Property Defence League, and from cooperative movements such as the Cooperative Women's Guild.
Wilson Anti-Slavery Collection
A collection of 19th-century anti-slavery pamphlets received in 1923 from the executors of Henry Joseph Wilson (1833-1914), the distinguished Liberal Member of Parliament for Sheffield. The collection is of particular importance for the study of the activities of the provincial philanthropic societies, such as the Birmingham and Midland Freedmen's Aid Association, the Birmingham and West Bromwich Ladies' Negro's Friend Society, the Glasgow Emancipation Society, the Manchester Union and Emancipation Society, and the Sheffield Ladies Female Anti Slavery Society. Of interest is the prominent role of women in the movement, who formed themselves into societies which lobbied MPs and printed pamphlets on the conditions of slaves. Here we have details of what was sold at their bazaars to raise funds and lists of names of subscribers, the minutiae which bring alive the history of the movement.
Significant collections within the resource for colonial history include:
Earl Grey Pamphlets Collection
Still owned by the family, this collection was largely accumulated by the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Earls Grey. Charles was Foreign Secretary (1806-07) and Prime Minister (1830-34). Henry George was Under Secretary for Home Affairs (1830) and the Colonies (1830-34), Secretary at War (1835-39), and Secretary of State for the Colonies (1846-52). Albert Henry George was Administrator of Rhodesia (1896-97) and Governor-General of Canada (1904-11). The Greys were particularly interested in parliamentary reform, colonial affairs and Catholic emancipation.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office Collection
On deposit from the FCO, this collection comprises the earlier collections of the Foreign Office and the Colonial Office. Both include rare publications from overseas. The Foreign Office Collection consists largely of pamphlets sent back to London by British ambassadors to help with policy formation. It is particularly rich in material related to South America, the Near East, and to the various great European political "questions" of the 19th century. The Colonial Office Collection is chiefly comprised of pamphlets sent back from Britain's colonies, including some unique early material from Australasia.
Knowsley Pamphlet Collection
The Knowsley collection reflects the political careers of the Earls of Derby. Edward George, the 14th Earl, was successively Irish Secretary (1830-33), Colonial Secretary (1833-34, 1841-44), and three times Prime Minister (1852, 1858-59, and 1866-68). His son, Edward Henry, 15th Earl, was Colonial Secretary and later Indian secretary in his father's administration of 1858-59.
LSE Selected Pamphlets
LSE has a substantial number of 19th century pamphlets. Among its pamphlets are comprehensive collections of political party materials, including election manifestos and political cartoons. There are also collections from pressure groups such as the Fabian Society, Imperial Federation Defence Committee, Poor Law Reform Association, Workhouse Visiting Society, Liberal and Property Defence League, and from cooperative movements such as the Cooperative Women's Guild.
Wilson Anti-Slavery Collection
A collection of 19th-century anti-slavery pamphlets received in 1923 from the executors of Henry Joseph Wilson (1833-1914), the distinguished Liberal Member of Parliament for Sheffield. The collection is of particular importance for the study of the activities of the provincial philanthropic societies, such as the Birmingham and Midland Freedmen's Aid Association, the Birmingham and West Bromwich Ladies' Negro's Friend Society, the Glasgow Emancipation Society, the Manchester Union and Emancipation Society, and the Sheffield Ladies Female Anti Slavery Society. Of interest is the prominent role of women in the movement, who formed themselves into societies which lobbied MPs and printed pamphlets on the conditions of slaves. Here we have details of what was sold at their bazaars to raise funds and lists of names of subscribers, the minutiae which bring alive the history of the movement.
Friday 4 December 2009
International Defence and Aid Fund for Southern Africa Press Cuttings Archives
Today we want to focus on an important collection held on microfiche – the International Defence and Aid Fund for Southern Africa Press Cuttings Archives.
The International Defence and Aid Fund for Southern Africa (IDAF) was an anti-apartheid organization that smuggled £100 million into South Africa for the defence of thousands of political activists, and to provide aid for their families while they were in prison. It paid lawyers to defend political detainees and provided financial support families of political prisoners. It published numerous books and films on repression in South Africa. IDAF, was the brain-child of John Collins, a canon of St Paul's Cathedral. The organisation resulted from Canon Collins's guaranteeing the legal costs and support for the 156 accused under the 1956 Treason Trials, and their families. The organisation continued to support anti-apartheid activists through the Rivonia Trial and numerous other political trials (most of which were not high profile). Defence and Aid became an international organisation in 1965, with branches in Britain, New Zealand, Scandinavia, Holland and India.
On 18 March 1966, the South African Defence and Aid Committee was banned as an 'unlawful organisation' under the Suppression of Communism Act. Lengthy prison sentences were promised for those who handled money on behalf of IDAF and the Terrorism Act made it a capital offence to attempt to bring about social change with the help of a foreign government or institution, even when no violence was involved.
IDAF reacted by creating a system where a network of respectable individual donors funded defences, who in turn received funds from IDAF, and with the assistance of a network of friendly solicitors who corresponded with the South African trial lawyers and transmitted funds to them. IDAF’s welfare programme, aimed at alleviating the hardship of both political prisoners and their dependents, also relied on circumventing a direct connection with IDAF, with the use of hundreds of letter writers sending money directly to recipients through the post.
As well as raising and transmitting funds, IDAF continuing public activities, with research and publicity sections. The work of these sections included monitoring the press, and IDAF built up a large press-cuttings archive. This was microfilmed in 1991 before IDAF transferred its activities to South Africa, and copies lodged in countries affected by apartheid, as well as research libraries in Europe and North America
The Institute of Commonwealth Studies Library was fortunate to be selected by IDAF as the UK depository for microfiche copies of the South Africa and Namibia press cuttings archives. These include some 500,000 press cuttings from the South African, Namibian and British press from 1975 to 1990 and documenting all aspects of apartheid in South Africa, especially resistance and repression. The Namibian materials cover the South African occupation and the apartheid system subsequently imposed on the people of that country. Both archives include materials on cultural, social and economic issues and international relations. The Library holds an index to these, and in addition many of IDAF publications, including its journal Focus.
The International Defence and Aid Fund for Southern Africa (IDAF) was an anti-apartheid organization that smuggled £100 million into South Africa for the defence of thousands of political activists, and to provide aid for their families while they were in prison. It paid lawyers to defend political detainees and provided financial support families of political prisoners. It published numerous books and films on repression in South Africa. IDAF, was the brain-child of John Collins, a canon of St Paul's Cathedral. The organisation resulted from Canon Collins's guaranteeing the legal costs and support for the 156 accused under the 1956 Treason Trials, and their families. The organisation continued to support anti-apartheid activists through the Rivonia Trial and numerous other political trials (most of which were not high profile). Defence and Aid became an international organisation in 1965, with branches in Britain, New Zealand, Scandinavia, Holland and India.
On 18 March 1966, the South African Defence and Aid Committee was banned as an 'unlawful organisation' under the Suppression of Communism Act. Lengthy prison sentences were promised for those who handled money on behalf of IDAF and the Terrorism Act made it a capital offence to attempt to bring about social change with the help of a foreign government or institution, even when no violence was involved.
IDAF reacted by creating a system where a network of respectable individual donors funded defences, who in turn received funds from IDAF, and with the assistance of a network of friendly solicitors who corresponded with the South African trial lawyers and transmitted funds to them. IDAF’s welfare programme, aimed at alleviating the hardship of both political prisoners and their dependents, also relied on circumventing a direct connection with IDAF, with the use of hundreds of letter writers sending money directly to recipients through the post.
As well as raising and transmitting funds, IDAF continuing public activities, with research and publicity sections. The work of these sections included monitoring the press, and IDAF built up a large press-cuttings archive. This was microfilmed in 1991 before IDAF transferred its activities to South Africa, and copies lodged in countries affected by apartheid, as well as research libraries in Europe and North America
The Institute of Commonwealth Studies Library was fortunate to be selected by IDAF as the UK depository for microfiche copies of the South Africa and Namibia press cuttings archives. These include some 500,000 press cuttings from the South African, Namibian and British press from 1975 to 1990 and documenting all aspects of apartheid in South Africa, especially resistance and repression. The Namibian materials cover the South African occupation and the apartheid system subsequently imposed on the people of that country. Both archives include materials on cultural, social and economic issues and international relations. The Library holds an index to these, and in addition many of IDAF publications, including its journal Focus.
Wednesday 2 December 2009
Welcome to Rwanda
At the recent Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Trinidad and Tobago, Commonwealth leaders agreed to accept Rwanda as the 54th member of the Commonwealth.
A short video reporting the decision is available at:
http://video.thecommonwealth.org/services/player/bcpid2517730001?bctid=53040352001
An overview of the CHOGM by Derek Ingram, entitled A Surge of New Activity for the Commonwealth, is also available on the Commonwealth Secretariat website.
The Institute of Commonwealth Studies Library currently has a small collection of material on Rwanda, largely acquired to support the Institute's MA in Undertsanding and Securing Human Rights. These materials focus on both the 1994 genocide and the post-conflict reconstruction that followed. As a result of Rwanda's membership of the Commonwealth we will further develop and broaden the scope of this collection, co-operating with other London libraries including the SOAS Library and British Library, who also collect material from and about Rwanda.
Research on Rwanda is being added to the database of Theses in Progress in Commonwealth Countries. We welcome any postgraduate research students doing work on Rwanda to contact us so this can be kept up to date.
A short video reporting the decision is available at:
http://video.thecommonwealth.org/services/player/bcpid2517730001?bctid=53040352001
An overview of the CHOGM by Derek Ingram, entitled A Surge of New Activity for the Commonwealth, is also available on the Commonwealth Secretariat website.
The Institute of Commonwealth Studies Library currently has a small collection of material on Rwanda, largely acquired to support the Institute's MA in Undertsanding and Securing Human Rights. These materials focus on both the 1994 genocide and the post-conflict reconstruction that followed. As a result of Rwanda's membership of the Commonwealth we will further develop and broaden the scope of this collection, co-operating with other London libraries including the SOAS Library and British Library, who also collect material from and about Rwanda.
Research on Rwanda is being added to the database of Theses in Progress in Commonwealth Countries. We welcome any postgraduate research students doing work on Rwanda to contact us so this can be kept up to date.
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