Why and how to archive your university’s website: an overview for absolute beginners

This post is a revised version of a briefing I wrote for colleagues a few months ago.  My research included asking members of the archives-nra mailing list whether and how their organisation was archiving its corporate website.  It emerged that few organisations are actively doing this, but many archivists would like to know more.  So … Continue reading Why and how to archive your university’s website: an overview for absolute beginners

Why I’m applying for HEA Fellowship

This year I am embarking on a journey towards Higher Education Academy Fellowship.  This award is given to academics and other higher education workers who can demonstrate professional commitment to learning and teaching. Why should librarians apply for HEA fellowship? To become better teachers (and learners)!  It's so easy, given the constraints of time-slots and … Continue reading Why I’m applying for HEA Fellowship

How can unique and distinctive collections support University mission?

Delighted to share news of a report which should help anyone trying to make the case for investment in special collections.  Or indeed considering whether they should invest in them ... Unique and distinctive collections: opportunities for research libraries is freely available online from the Research Libraries UK website.  It's based on fieldwork I carried … Continue reading How can unique and distinctive collections support University mission?

An Alien Territory? Local Studies versus Special Collections

Here's an interesting blog post by Tony Pilmer, a Local Studies librarian sharing what he learned from a year working in a library based in a think-tank/learned society.  I agree: local studies and special collections work have masses in common.  This is especially true of university special collections. I think I'm right in saying that … Continue reading An Alien Territory? Local Studies versus Special Collections

Delivering Value for Money: Internal Marketing Matters

I just discovered (thanks to an academic colleague) a very useful dissertation available online.  Elizabeth Morgan's dissertation (UCL, 2010), Delivering Value for Money: why and how institutional archives should market themselves to their internal publics, explains why internal marketing/advocacy is absolutely essential.  She includes lots of great realistic examples of what can be done, drawn … Continue reading Delivering Value for Money: Internal Marketing Matters