Reading joins elite group of research libraries in UK and Ireland
Release Date 02 July 2015
The University of Reading's Library and Collections Services (ULCS) has joined an elite group of research libraries.
ULCS has become a member of Research Libraries UK (RLUK) - a body which represents the leading research libraries in UK and Ireland, including Oxford and Cambridge, and which shapes the research library agenda.
The quality and variety of University of Reading research collections are exceptional and include three designated collections of national and international importance: the Museum of English Rural Life, the Archive of British Publishing and Printing, and the Samuel Beckett Collection.
Reading has built up a strong culture of partnership between academic colleagues and librarians, archivists and curators around the strength of its research collections.
Julia Munro (Head, ULCS) said "I am both delighted and proud that ULCS is now a member of RLUK. We look forward to collaborating with RLUK colleagues on initiatives and innovations for outstanding research support services and collections in a digital age."
Steve Mithen, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation, added: "Admission to RLUK puts Reading in an elite group of libraries. It's recognition of the significant contribution that our libraries and collections make to our world-class research.
"As we implement the 2020 research plan, ULCS will play a key role through the service given to academics by its skilled specialist staff, particularly in making our research available to a wider audience through open access and in maximising the impact of our research, including through the greater use of bibliometrics."
Skills development programme
Recent developments in ULCS include the establishment of a skills development programme as part of its collections-based research PhD programme and the notable growth in public engagement and impact opportunities involving collections.
ULCS research projects
ULCS also hosts two longstanding and successful research projects: the Location Register of English Literary Manuscripts and Letters and the WATCH project (Writers and their Copyright Holders).
Supporting researchers across the University
ULCS takes a lead role in supporting research across the University, driving forward Open Accessinitiatives. The University's institutional repository, CentAUR, managed in ULCS, currently holds nearly 3,000 peer-reviewed full texts available on Open Access. ULCS also actively contributed to the review of the University's research strategy; its role in this area will increase following approval for the position of a full-time bibliometrician to support researchers across the University.