Exeter University Library and Information Service

Title: Exeter University Library and Information Service

Description: The University of Exeter traces its origins to schools and colleges established in the middle of the 19th century. It was established as The University College of the South West of England in 1922 and finally received its charter in 1955; considerable expansion took place in the mid-1960s and early 1970s. The Library’s collections of over a million items reflect this 150-year history; they cover the broad spectrum of subjects that are the objects of the University’s teaching and research, with particular strengths in the humanities and social sciences. The Library has collections of national significance in Arabic and Gulf Studies as well as important book and archival collections in local history, women’s studies and UK parliamentary publications.
With regard to resources for Caribbean studies most of the library’s materials, with the exception of the archive collection and one or two rarer items, are integrated into the general stock, and comprise c.1200 books, c.6 periodicals (all active), 6 archive boxes and a small collection of microfilm items.
There are approximately 300 books covering the history of Black and Asian people in the UK, primarily focussing on subjects such as economic and social history, race relations, racism and anti-racism.

Strengths: With regard to Caribbean studies the library's main strengths are its resources on Caribbean literature and the following special collections:

• The Gale-Morant papers (1731-1925), which relate to the papers of two inter-related families with estates in Jamaica. An online description of the Gale-Morant papers is available at http://www.ex.ac.uk/library/guides/specoll.html#G; there is also a printed guide: Minchinton, W.E. (1977) The Gale-Morant papers, 1731-1925 in the Library, University of Exeter. Wakefield, EP Microform Limited.
• Irish University Press series of British Parliamentary Papers: slave trade. 1968. Shannon: IUP. 95 vols. (papers from 1810).

Size: Caribbean studies resources: c.1200 books, 6 periodicals, 6 archive boxes and microfilm.
Resources covering the history of Black and Asian peoples in Britain: c.300 books.

Catalogue: INNOPAC

Catalogue URL: http://lib.ex.ac.uk/

Main URL: http://www.ex.ac.uk/library

Access: Intending readers who are not members of the University of Exeter should contact the Special Collections Librarian in writing in the first instance. All readers should be prepared to show proof of identity (in the case of University members, a valid Mondex or library card) on arrival, and to sign a register. Non-members of the University will be asked to sign a declaration. For access to certain collections the permission of the University Librarian is required, and some categories of material may be consulted only under the supervision of the Special Collections Librarian. Readers should note that special access conditions apply in some cases, especially where collections are not the property of the University, and photocopying and other restrictions may also apply.
Under the terms of the SCONUL Vacation Access Scheme students from other higher education institutions in the UK and Ireland whose libraries are members of the Standing Conference of National and University Libraries (SCONUL) may have access to the University of Exeter Libraries during the University's vacations. The scheme provides for reference access to books and journals on open shelves. Further details about the library's access conditions are available at: http://www.ex.ac.uk/library/services/.

Acquisition dates: 1855 onwards, with c.75% of resources acquired since 1965.

Note: With the exception of the archive collections noted above, all materials on the Caribbean and the history of Black and Asian people in Britain are integrated into the general stock and are widely scattered throughout the library's collections.

Interest: Asian, Black, Caribbean

Complete: Complete

Subjects

Interethnic relations

Literature

Economic history

Personal/Corporate names

Gale-Morant Papers, 1731-1925

Places

Jamaica