| Module Identifier |
DS30110 |
| Module Title |
LOCAL STUDIES SERVICES |
| Academic Year |
2002/2003 |
| Co-ordinator |
Michael D Dewe |
| Semester |
Available all semesters |
| Course delivery |
Other | |
| Assessment |
Semester Assessment | Project of up to 3,000 words, selected from a choice of four (Teaching Pack/Town Trail/Oral History Recording/Prints Portfolio) - weighted 100%. | |
Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
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give an account of the development of local history and local studies
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describe the national and local picture as regards resource providers for local studies (principally libraries, archives and museums) and discuss the context (social, political, etc.) in which that provision takes place
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identify the range of sources within a local studies collections and their potential use
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demonstrate the need fro the sound management of a local studies service, as reflected in appropriate plans, policies and practices
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identify and discuss the issues relating to the various aspects of access to the collection, e.g. cataloguing, indexing ad satisfactory physical facilities
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discuss various ways in which use of the collection can be marketed, promoted and facilitated
Brief description
The Library Association’s Local Studies Libraries Guidelines (2002) state that: “The local studies service exists to enable members of local communities to define their identity in terms of their own particular situation – family, home, community, region”. This module explains how this objective can be brought about through the collections and services provided by public library local study departments. It will also keep students acquire the necessary understanding, knowledge and skills that library and information works need to function successfully in this specialist area. These include management, information retrieval and marketing skills.
Content
Unit headings with some indicative sub-headings:
1.The development of local studies
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The description of Britain
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Victoria County History
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Oral historians
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Family and local history
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From local history to local studies
2.Resource providers
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Public and other libraries
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Archives
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Museums
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Art galleries
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Cooperation
3.The range of sources
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Books, pamphlets
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Directories (local newspapers, ephemera)
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Interpreting sources
4.Management of the local studies service
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Policies and planning
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Staff organisation and training
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Collection management
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Finance
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Performance evaluation
5. Providing access t the collection
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Accommodation and space planning
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Cataloguing and classification
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Use of ICT
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Enquiry and research services
6.Marketing the local studies service
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Services to individuals, groups and organisations
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Publications and publicity
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Exhibitions and displays
Reading Lists
Books
** Recommended Consultation
Dewe M. ed. (2002)
Local studies collection management. Aldershot: Ashgate
Dewe M. ed. (1987, 1991)
Local studies collections. Aldershot: Gower
Dixon D. (2001)
Local studies librarianship: a world bibliography. London: Library Association
Library Association. Local Studies Group, D. Martin ed. (2002)
Local studies libraries: Library Association guidelines for local studies provision in public libraries. London: Library Association
Phillips F. (1995)
Local history collections in libraries. Englewod Colorado: Libraries Unlimited
Winterbotham D. and Crosby A. (1998)
The local studies library: a handbook for local historians. Salisbury: BALH