Memories - Heather Mann
Heather Mann has spent much of her 35-year University career in the Main Building Library. Here, she reflects on that time.
I've worked for the University's library service (now Information Services) for 35 years, working in the Main Building Library (now the Science Library) 1974-5; 1980-87; 1995 to date.
The library in Main Building was opened on October 14 1909 and was known as the Drapers’ Library (in recognition of a gift of £16,000 from the Worshipful Drapers' Company of London).
In 1974 the library occupied a larger area of Main Building than currently. In addition to the existing space on the first floor, further along the corridor were the arts periodicals room which also housed the acquisitions department; cataloguing and inter-library loans departments; natural history reading room; reprographic services and library information office.
The library also occupied rooms on the second floor where theses and other special collections could be found (the library staff Christmas party was held there for several years!)
The shelving in the rooms next to the main reading room were floor to ceiling - tall ladders were required to retrieve books and female library staff were not permitted to wear trousers. This rule was relaxed in the 1970s but only if they formed part of a trouser suit which had become fashionable then.
Library automation did not take place in the University until late 1975; prior to that, books were borrowed by completing a two-part form. The top copy was filed alphabetically by the borrower's surname, the second copy alphabetically by author. The forms were filed in wooden drawers which ended up on the floor if pulled out too far! It was a nightmare at the end of each term when students borrowed books for the vacation - hundreds of forms to put into order and file!
The Main Building Library became the Science Library in 1975 when the Arts and Social Studies Library opened. The Science Library held books on general science, biology, chemistry, geology, mathematics, physics and astronomy. In 1976/77 a mezzanine floor was added to provide much-needed space.
Subsequent years have seen two mergers (with University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology and the University of Wales College of Medicine); the library space in Main Building decreasing and the creation of three open access IT rooms. The subject areas are now general science, biology, chemistry and earth sciences.
When I began my employment in 1974 the library staff did not have their own staff room; breaks were taken downstairs on the ground floor in the senior common room (for academic and professional staff) or the junior common room (for library assistants, secretaries, technicians).
The upper reading room is how you imagine a university library to be, the ceiling in particular is magnificent. We have had several TV crews using the area to film historical dramas and an episode of The Sarah Jane Adventures (the children's Dr Who spin-off).
In 1995 the car park was used to film Drovers’ Gold, starring among others, Ruth Jones (Gavin and Stacey's Nessa) and the late Ray Gravell. It was a five-part historical drama about 19th century cattle drovers in Wales and their drive to London.
The architecture of Main Building is wonderful and I feel very privileged to work here.