RLUK

PRESS RELEASE: 11th October 2011

Research Libraries UK (RLUK) welcomes the Universities of St Andrews and York as its latest members. RLUK now represents 32 of the leading research libraries in the UK and Ireland.

 ‘We are very pleased that both St Andrews and York have agreed to join RLUK,’ said David Prosser, Executive Director of RLUK.  ‘The range of their special collections and their outstanding support for their researchers and students make them a natural fit with the RLUK membership.  Our mission is to to provide a mutually supportive and co-operative environment in which research, and research libraries, can thrive.  Having St Andrews and York join us will bring us closer to fulfilling our mission.’

‘The University of St Andrews Library is delighted to be joining RLUK at a significant moment in its history,’ said John MacColl, University Librarian & Director of Library Services. ‘The University has recently made a commitment to invest more in the Library, and this has led to a programme of significant improvement in the fabric and facilities, together with a substantial increase in the funds made available for collections. These investments together will allow the Library to play a full part in the academic and research life of Scotland’s first university as it prepares to celebrate its 600th anniversary, and as it continues to achieve a high profile internationally for excellence in research and learning. A major objective for the Library in the next few years is to provide an adequate centre for its highly-regarded special collections. Membership of RLUK will allow us to intensify our focus on special collections and research liaison work in particular, and so improve the Library’s services to the University and its standing in the wider research environment.’

‘York is honoured to have been invited to join RLUK, said Stephen Town, Director of Information & University Librarian. ‘I am very pleased that the research strengths of the University and its Library have been recognised through this invitation to membership, and it will help reinforce our growing reputation nationally and internationally. Joining this group also reflects the developments and investments the University has made in its Library and Archives over the past few years in staff, buildings, and digital service developments. Membership of RLUK will provide our Library and its staff with access to new routes for collaboration and development as well as providing additional benefits to our research users, and we look forward to engaging with colleagues in the group across the many important initiatives which RLUK supports.’

Notes for editors:

Consisting of the top research institutions in the UK and Ireland, including the three UK National Libraries, for over 25 years RLUK has been at the forefront of instigating and supporting openly available research resources, including Copac, the Archives Hub, SHERPA, and 19th Century British Pamphlets Online. RLUK is a major thought leader in the UK library sector, and works with its partners nationally and internationally to ensure that the UK has the best research support in the world.

Visit the new interactive membership map at http://www.rluk.ac.uk/member_location

More Information: David Prosser, Research Libraries UK, +44 (0)207 848 2737