Brotherton Library's lessons of the past

The Brotherton Library's 75th anniversary celebrations continue on Friday 27 May with talks by Andrew Cooper and John Smurthwaite, followed by a behind-the-scenes library tour.

Andrew Cooper will talk about the history of automation and computerisation in the Library, from the manual filling in, filing and un-filing of catalogue slip cards, and the harsh consequences of getting it wrong, through to the introduction of a "computerised" paper Student Library catalogue with the subsequent improvements in library systems and the effects on staff and students.

John Smurthwaite will present an intriguing 'History of the World in Two Objects' - two museum objects in the Brotherton Library form the starting-point for a visit to the literary world of West Yorkshire eighty years ago.  Discover the connection between the Brotherton, Victorian engineering and the Torquay Eisteddfod.

The talks will be followed by a behind-the-scenes tour beginning in the Brotherton room, showing views of Special Collections and the Brotherton Library that no-one other than staff ever see (including the room behind the Brotherton Room where a little mantrap is kept!), highlighting some of the unnoticed features of the main reading room and other spaces.

The talk will take place:

On:  Friday 27 May

At:   1-2pm

In:   the Brotherton Room, Special Collections, Brotherton Library

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