Memories - Anne Bell
Anne Bell is now Head of Library Technical and Operational Services based in the Arts and Social Studies Library, but for almost 20 years she worked in the Science Library in Main Building.
I worked in the Science Library from 1984 to 2003, and during that time I saw a real transformation from a traditional library role into a computer-based information service.
I was Assistant Librarian until 1988, and then after the merger with the University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology (UWIST) I became Science Librarian. When I started we were just beginning to put in an online system for loaning books, but the library really ran on paper and card.
It was all about books and print journals - the technology went as far as a microfiche catalogue, and light pens which scanned the bar codes.
The merger led to lots of changes in the building, with departments moving in and building work going on for a long time. There were changes in the library too, as UWIST collections came in; but we also sent material out – for instance, when the Trevithick Library opened, the Physics material moved over there.
Books are still at the heart of the library, but now of course online searches are taken for granted, and students can access a much wider range of material and services these days.
The wonderful traditional look of the Science Library has often made it popular for film and television companies producing dramas. I also remember, as many others do, the Main Building car park being transformed into Smithfield Market for the BBC production of Drovers’ Gold in the 1990s.
Then there were the Royal visits – Prince Charles officially opening the new School of Biosciences, and the visit by the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh.
As far as the library is concerned, we have slimmed down the collections over the years, as IT has become more important, but books are still central to what we do.
One curiosity in the Science Library is the shelving on the top floor – every shelf is a different size, so moving books around isn’t easy, as you can’t be sure they’ll fit. It’s one of the quirks of a traditional and historic library, but I think the University has succeeded in offering a 21st century service in an early 20th century environment.