Did you know that the Brotherton Library will be 75 years old this year? To mark such a wonderful anniversary, a series of events have been planned celebrating the past, present and future of the Library. All the events are free to attend and are being held in the Brotherton Room in the Brotherton Library on campus. There is no need to book – simply just turn up. And after each talk there will be an optional ‘mystery tour’
Revealing the behind-the-scenes secrets of the Brotherton Library and Special Collections. Date: Tuesday 17 May Time: 17:15 a fascinating journey through the Brotherton Library’s 75 years, charting the creation of the most impressive building on campus, its early years, the people and events that moulded its development and revealing some of the treasures it holds. Your guide is Head of Special Collections, Chris Sheppard.
The Lessons of the Past Date: Friday 27 May Time: 13:00-14:00 Andrew Cooper reveals the quirks and the characters of the Brotherton Library’s past and John Smurthwaite presents 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 West Yorkshire of eighty years ago.
Present Excellence Date: Thursday 7 July Time: 17:15 A showcase of short talks demonstrating how the Brotherton’s collections have inspired research at the University, delivered by the researchers themselves. Professor Russell Goulbourne will speak on the potential of the French collections in the Brotherton, Dr Chris Hammond will discuss how a Physics Department exercise book reveals the origins of the Braggs’ 1915 Nobel Prize, and Dr Michael Brennan will talk about his own experience of using one of the Library’s most recent major benefactions, the Fay and Geoffrey Elliot Collection.
The Brotherton Library of the Future Date: Wednesday 7 September Time: 13:00-14:00 University Librarian Dr Stella Butler will present her vision for the Library, Cultivating knowledge – Library services for the University of Leeds in the 21st century, supported by Jodie Double, head of the Library’s Digital Services speaking on the Digital Shift.
