A year in Loughborough University Archive

Posted: 8 January 2025

Here we are again! Time to take stock and look back at a year of archives.

In 2024, we had almost half the acquisitions we had in 2023, and almost no artefacts, but we’re happy to report repeat transfers from certain areas of the institution. The Students Union or related clubs, Pilkington Library, and the Chaplaincy have been good disciples of the IRM credo. It was quite satisfactory to realise fellow staff members are embracing the principles of life-cycle management for records documenting activities, people, and events relating to the University. Thanks to them, we have been able to add to the catalogue, consolidating existing fonds and enriching research opportunities.

Here is a list of all the 2024 accessions.

In the publications area:

  • Vadher's Magnetodynamics. Research from 1983 to 2023, by Dr Vinod Vashram Vadher, 2024. Two tomes relating to electrodynamics and magnetodynamics. Now catalogued as fonds D224.
  • Publications by Dr Robert Harland, reader in urban graphic heritage, 2020-2024. Two booklets. Now catalogued in the publication series of fonds D226.
  • The Journal of the Loughborough Colleges' Chemical Society, 1964-1966. This is a welcome addition as the journal was only accessible from our friends at David Wilson Library (University of Leicester) and only from 1965! An entry for donor and alumnus John Thurman was added to our catalogue to document provenance as he was also president of the Society for a while. Unfortunately, we do not hold records of the Society itself.

Private papers:

  • Papers of John L Townsend, student at Loughborough College, 1961-1964. Three binders outlining the study of metalwork technology and design in the late 1950s to early 1960s, as well as teaching practice in the mid-1960s. Now catalogued under fonds D225.
  • Further papers of Captain Desmond Penrose, student in aeronautical engineering, 1946-1951 and a well-known figure on campus. They will be added to fonds D83, which was created in 1999. Of note are Desmond’s piloting logbooks; this is a significant donation (4 boxes and several large frames) that we hope to catalogue soon.

Institutional records and heritage material:

  • Records of Pilkington Library, 1988-2016. 0.3 Linear meters. Mostly service publications and Annual Reports of the Librarian.
  • Records of the School of Design and Creative Arts
    • Simple Vegetable Recipes, 1980. A cookbook designed and printed by Loughborough College of Art and Design.
    • Publications of the Design department relating to curriculum, awards shows, and other milestones, 1980-2017. One box.
    • Catalogues of Art Degree shows and other exhibitions, 1999-2020. Two boxes. Now catalogued under the publications series of the SDCA fonds.
  • Records of Loughborough University chaplaincy, 1990-2018.
    • 3 Linear meters of documentary material as well as a wall hanging were added to previous accessions.
  • Records of Brand, Digital and Creative Production, 2023.
    • Scarf and tie designed as gifts to Loughborough University guests.
  • Records of the Alumni Office (arising from relations with former students and recent graduate).
    • Hazelrigg Hall souvenir tea set, 1940-1949.
    • Print by Design graduate Lauren Jefferis, 2019.
    • Aerial photograph of campus, 1990.
  • Publications by the Students Union. Nine crates. Currently being listed.

Please note most accessions will not have been catalogued yet, but we have linked the ones that have, so that users can familiarise themselves with our AtoM database, currently the site of many projects and the archives’ catalogue.

Uncatalogued accessions, especially institutional records, are not usually made readily available. However, if users indicate an interest, it helps us bump a collection or fonds up the cataloguing priorities list, and if there are no confidentiality or privacy issues, they can be consulted.

Speaking with the Archivist is recommended whenever something piques your interest!

8 art degree show catalogues displayed on a table.

Some of the catalogues of Art Degree shows by the School of Design and Art at accession time ©LUA.
2024 Loughborough branded grey paisley-style scarf, folded in packaging, created by design student. ...our most recent branding creation...
Small archives trolley containing 6 scarves rolled in paper.

… will join its sisters on the way to permanent conservation ©LUA.
Selection of open and closed plastic crates containing Loughborough Students Union publications.

All the crates containing LSU publications is too much for our strong room in their current state, they are housed in the Library binding room © LUA.
 Open plastic crate containing copies of Loughborough Students Union Fast Forward publication.

Listing has revealed welcome additions to the Fast Forward series, which has also been partially indexed by student placement Elisabeth ©LUA.