Update: Bookings now open for the Special Collections Reading Room
We are very pleased to announce that we are now able to take bookings for readers to access our archive and library materials in the Special Collections Service reading room from Tuesday 8 September 2020. If you would like to make a booking, please ensure that you read the updated reading room guidance before contacting […]
Update: Re-opening of Special Collections Service Reading Room
We are looking forward to welcoming researchers back to The MERL and the University of Reading Special Collections reading room from Tuesday 8 September 2020. This includes all the Museum’s galleries, our reading room, library and archive, and the shop, café and garden. We have greatly missed you during these difficult months, and are overjoyed […]
Update: Teaching with Collections
Today, we are publishing details of the many options available for University of Reading staff who wish to teach with collections. There is a new guide here. Options include: – Using pre-recorded and ready-digitised material; – Creating or enhancing digital resources; – Running live sessions (both face-to-face and online). From mid-August, we will be offering […]
Update: New Digital Access to Special Collections
Today, we are publishing our plans to increase digital access to our collections. The new digital access guide is available here. During the lockdown, we have continued to make available content that has already been digitised, launching new websites and school resources. From 13 July, we will be re-starting copying services for The Museum of […]
UPDATE ON CORONAVIRUS
UPDATE: 1st JULY 2020 We welcome the announcement that museums will be able to reopen from 4th July. The University of Reading Special Collections and the Museum of English Rural Life will not reopen straight away but we are working hard to put in place all the necessary measures to allow for a new kind […]
COVID-19: support for your study and research during the closure period
Although the University Library and Special Collections Service are closed at present, there is a wealth of support and expertise available to help you continue with your study and research during the closure period. You can find out more about how the University Library can support you and the online services available here. A series of […]
Not forgotten: University of Reading to add names to war memorial
On 9 November 2018, the University of Reading will formally announce that the names of nine members who fell in the First World War will be added to its war memorial. This will be the culmination of a long research process by community volunteers based in Special Collections. The genesis of the project dates back to 2013 […]
Michael Mitchell (1939–2017)
We were sad to hear that Michael Mitchell, one of England’s most noted fine typographers, passed away last week. Founder of the Libanus Press, Mitchell quickly became a leading typographer, most known for clear, yet aesthetically pleasing publications. Libanus Press originally began as a letterpress, and it was his skills in typography that Mitchell was […]
Recently Acquired Ladybird Artwork- Extended Hours Exhibition
Don’t miss this special opportunity to view our recently acquired additions to our Ladybird Archive! Thanks to our partnership with Ladybird Books Ltd, Special Collections will be displaying a total of 59 original illustrations by the artist John Berry. The artwork will be displayed within the University’s Museum of English Rural Life (The MERL), during […]
Brian Aldiss (1925-2017)
We were sad to hear that Brian Aldiss (born 1925), one of Britain’s most notable writers of science fiction, passed away earlier this week. Author of the Helliconia trilogy, one of Aldiss’ short stories inspired the 2001 film AI: Artificial Intelligence. In 2000 Aldiss received an honorary degree from the University of Reading. We hold a selection of his […]