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Glasgow University Archive Service

Page history last edited by Paul Keenan 14 years ago

Date of tip: December 2007

Source: Edward Packard (e.packard@lse.ac.uk)

 

Location: 13 Thurso Street, University of Glasgow, G11 6PE

 

How to get there: The archive is just off Dumbarton Road, which is really close to the university campus and the enormous Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, so it is well served by public transport. Full directions, and a picture of the distinctive archive building, here: http://www.archives.gla.ac.uk/about/location.html  

I could walk to the archive from Glasgow Central station in less than half an hour, though public transport would obviously be quicker, and a taxi would cost around £5 from the city centre. Once at the archive, you have to press a buzzer to get in and then hike up a couple of flights of stairs.

In terms of travelling up to Glasgow, flights are apparently quite cheap, but you can also get the train from either Euston or Kings Cross – the journey takes around 6 hours, but takes you from centre-to-centre and if you book early enough you can get a reasonably priced ticket. The Virgin Pendolino trains are definitely an experience (and travel up the west of the UK), while the east coast National Express route has free wifi internet access.

 

Link to archive:  http://www.archives.gla.ac.uk/

The archive’s website contains most of the information you will need, which I have summarised in this tip (as well as providing some personal experiences).

 

Language: English  

 

Getting started: The Thurso Street searchroom can accommodate up to nine readers. Booking ahead is not essential, but is advisable (book here: http://www.archives.gla.ac.uk/about/appointment_form.html).

I would definitely recommend getting in touch with the archive beforehand, because the archivists are extremely helpful and sent me electronic copies of the catalogues so I was able to select my documents before visiting (though a lot of material is also catalogued at www.gashe.ac.uk). They also provided suggestions as to potentially useful contacts within the university which were related to my research.

When you arrive at the searchroom for the first time, you have to fill out a registration form and then you receive a brief introduction. You must remember photographic ID – a passport or driving licence is best.  

There is a ground-level searchroom on nearby Dumbarton Road for readers who cannot tackle the stairs, and this does require pre-booking.

If you are running late, or cannot find the building, the duty archivist can be contacted on 0141 330 5515.

 

Opening Hours: Monday 13:30-17:00; Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 09:30-17:00; Thursday 09:30-20:00. Thursday is therefore the ‘long-haul’ day, whereas Monday gives you a morning to explore Glasgow!

 

General working conditions: The archive is well-lit, though beware of shadows when taking digital photographs. There is a selection of books on the various subjects (including shipbuilding, brewing and the city/University of Glasgow) covered by the archive. I went in mid-December and it was pretty cold in the searchroom (as well as in Glasgow more generally) so remember to wrap up. The staff are friendly and approachable, and the system is straightforward.

 

Consultation: You have to fill in a form for each document you wish to look at, but this only requires a file number, date and signature. The archive was not very busy during the week when I attended, and the documents were produced quickly. I was allowed to look at three bound files at a time or one loose box file. Technically, the documents are collected every 15 minutes, with a slowdown over the lunch period (12:00-14:00).

 

Policy on technology: Laptops and digital cameras are allowed, though there are a limited number of plug sockets, so it is advisable to book ahead if intending to use a laptop. The archive staff are fine with digital cameras, if you tell them beforehand what you intend to photograph and ensure you don’t use the flash. I was allowed to use a plug socket to recharge batteries. I occasionally listened to music on headphones, and was not told to stop (the search room is not completely silent, and there is occasional background noise, so this is one possible solution if you do find this distracting). Although my laptop picked up various (secured) wireless networks in the searchroom, I was not made aware that internet access was available. Given that the web is usually a distraction, I did not ask whether I could go online!

Photocopy policy: This is at the duty archivist’s discretion: I took a digital camera so did not need to use this service. A black and white photocopying service is available, up to A3 size, as long as this would not damage the document. Copies can be collected or posted for an additional charge. Prices and various other services (including colour) available on request.

Particularities: The archive possesses a small room for tea/coffee and eating lunch. I did not see this room, however, as I became quite enamoured with nearby Byres Road, which has several pleasant cafes, some of which have wireless internet access (either free or reasonably cheap) and most of which have student offers. Thurso Street is also close to the beautiful university gardens, in case you need a walk to clear your head. The archive also has a small ‘books for sale’ section.

Do try to take advantage of the proximity of Glasgow University: the archivist, on my initial enquiry, put me in touch with a professor who had not only written one of the most important books on the subject I was researching but was also the former archivist – he agreed to meet with me and we had an extremely useful talk about what was hidden within the archive (as well as ideas for my thesis more generally). If you visit the archive in term time there are also various seminars which may be useful.

Places to Stay: I stayed at Murano Street student village (which is one of the largest in Europe) – for £18 a night I obtained a large bedroom with free internet access, digital TV, and an ensuite kitchen. The only downside was sharing a shower/toilet with one other room, but this was not a major problem. The residence is roughly 10 minutes from a Tesco supermarket, and about a half hour walk to the archive (down Queen Margaret Drive and Byres Road). I caught a taxi to Murano Street upon arrival at Glasgow Central station and this cost £5. The accommodation is in high demand, so book well in advance. For details of booking Murano Street (and other accommodation options) see: http://www.cvso.co.uk/accommodation/accm_intro_300905.htm

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