You will have been apprised of the Library’s efforts to support teaching and learning at the University during the enforced transition to predominantly online activity over the last eight months. However, it remains the case that access to archives and primary research materials for scholars is problematic and likely to remain so for the near-future. Given this unprecedented situation, the library has looked to broker a cost-effective means of facilitating electronic access to further primary source materials in the Humanities for the next COVID-affected academic year – in effect an extended 2020-21 trial. Such resources would look to complement our existing electronic holdings and in a number of instances support requests for specialist research access within SALC that the Library couldn’t readily fund permanently in the present financial climate. (The majority of you will be aware that access prices for a single title database tends to start at a five-figure sum)

After consultation with academic colleagues and a process of evaluation we have now come to an agreement with ProQuest to undertake such a time-limited programme of access to an extensive portfolio of online resources from their Collections and their Alexander Street Press “imprint” – for which permanent access would necessitate the payment of a seven-figure sum. At the end of the access period (next August) the agreement allows us to retain a couple of titles in perpetuity – but clearly this will comprise a very small percentage of what will be made available during the trial itself.

All individual databases will appear on the Library catalogue and have also been conveniently brought together as a Featured Database ‘spotlight’ on our A-Z database listings. Their limited lifespan will be also be indicated thus –

This collection has been made available as part of a trial; access until 31st July 2021

Collection Highlights

Cross-disciplinary material includes LGBT Magazine Archive; Human Rights Studies Online and Women & Social Movements

Discipline highlights include the following:

American Studies – Colonial State Papers; Congressional; Digital National Security Archive; additional material on Civil Rights and the Black Freedom Struggle (via the History Vault) and selected historical black newspapers – inc Los Angeles Sentinel & Philadelphia Tribune.

Anthropology – additions to Anthropology Resource Library inc. Ethnographic Sounds Archive Online.

Art History – Art & Architecture Archive (inc. backfiles for Architects’ Journal and The Architectural Review)

Drama / Film studies – Entertainment Industry Magazine Archive Collections 2 and 3 (Film & Television) and Music & Performing Arts (Alexander St Press)

Fashion and Popular Culture – Women’s Wear Daily Archive; The Sixties and Youth and Popular Culture Magazine Archive

History – Additional selections from the History Vault and Early European Books Collections

Music – Music & Performing Arts (Alexander St Press), inc. Classical Scores Library.

Religion & Theology – 20th Century Religious Thought Library

Usage will be monitored and inform further decisions on future sourcing. However, it should be stressed that it would be sensible to make the most of what may well be an unrepeatable offer of increased online access.

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