Quaker libraries announce joint project
Friends House and Woodbrooke libraries to develop
Britain Yearly Meeting and the Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre in Birmingham have announced the launch of a joint development initiative.
The project aims to develop the libraries of the two organisations. It is supported by the trustees of Woodbrooke and Britain Yearly Meeting, as well as Quaker Life Central Committee and its library committee. It will be overseen by the Joint Libraries Development Group, which includes representatives of both organisations. The work will be coordinated and undertaken by a project manager. Wem Meeting attender Adrienne Speake has been appointed to the role, effective from the beginning of July.
The collections of both libraries will be made more accessible. This will involve the digitisation of books, pamphlets and other materials.
Michael Hutchinson, clerk of Woodbrooke trustees, said: ‘This exciting project offers the opportunity for both libraries to ensure that they fully serve the needs of Quakers in Britain and beyond. Our libraries are a great treasure which are used by Quakers, historians and researchers and it is our responsibility to make sure that the collections are both preserved for generations to come and are as accessible as possible to researchers and others using existing and future technologies.’ The first phase of the project will run for two years.
