(source)
http://www.ukmcs.org.uk/members/member_national_maritime_museum.htm
Today, after meeting in the courtyard at 8am, we set off on an adventure by foot to the boat launch next to the London Eye, on the Thames South Bank. He had to wait about 10-15 minutes for the boat (there is a boat every 20 minutes). We boarded the "Hurrican Cutter." It looks more like a katamaran than a cutter-type boat. Traveling to our destination takes about 30 minutes or so, with five stops along the way prior to the Greenwich Pier stop. The ferris wheel, or "Eye," was the landmark.
There was a short distance to walk before arriving at the National Maritime Museum, where we were met by Hannah Dunmow. She was carrying the book, "Of Ships and Stars" by Buckler, and began telling the history of the Caird Library. It opened in 1897 and Sir James Caird was the sole benefactor, bequeathing his entire library collection.
Today, the Caird Library is the largest research library of maritime information. It contains books and information on piracy, astronomy, the Merchant and Royal Navys, various family histories, and other related materials. It also contains the follwing resources: Lloyds Captains Registry of ships, masters lists, merchantile shipping of 1857-1977, Lloyds List of Ocean Going Ships, microfilm, and other related materials. To date, there are over 100,000 maritime relatedbooks dating from 1850 to the present, 20,000 pamphlets, and numerous periodicals, such as the Mariners Mirror. In their rare books collections, there are approximately 8,000 books dating from 1474-1850, with books dated after 1850 that are classified as open access. There is onsite storage for the collections. There is on average 5 retreivals per day for books, and 20 per day for manuscripts, with a required 2 week notice for viewing.
It was stated that the open access collections were more used then the restricted collections. To use the library, patrons must be over 16 years of age, and there is no creditials required for accessing materials. Patrons just fill out a library ticket, read the rules, sign a usage form, and show a pictured ID showing residential address, such as a driver's license or passport. Patrons can then access online catalogs and archives. It was noted that a separate online catalog for manuscripts will be going live later this year. There are, on average, a total of 3,000 to 4,000 visitors per year. With 15,000 to 18,000 inquiries per year for various pictures, sculptures, books and other materials and access to 2,000 books and 5,000 manuscripts per year. While listening to our speaker, I noticed that there were computers in the initial access/reception area.
The library is staffed by six archivists, five in manuscripts and one in hydrography (charts), 3 additional specialists, one information specialist, and a head manager. It was stated that there are no library assistants; that they all work together on library service duties. Additionally, the library receives email and post inquireries, as well. Hannah concluded that the Caird Library is primarily a 2-D library (on paper), with more information on their website (listed above).
After some questions, we were led in a Meeting Room (Meeting Room 11, to be exact), to view samples. Two additional staff were on hand, Renee and Mike, to give us overviews of each selected book or manuscript. We received a handout which explained each book/manuscript, as well. It was a thoroughly enriching experience to see and hear the history of these selected materials.
No comments:
Post a Comment