Library

Decolonising the Curriculum (DtC)

Nafeesah Ali

This student-created poster promotes the University’s Decolonising the Curriculum Community of Practice, a staff–student community working towards a more inclusive, diverse and decolonial curriculum. It highlights a collection of resources covering decolonising education and practice, introductory material for those new to the topic, and discipline-specific examples and case studies. The poster also encourages staff and students to get involved to build their skills and confidence, connect with colleagues across disciplines and contribute to more inclusive and socially aware education.

• Decolonising the Curriculum - A poster with suggestions on how to decolonise the curriculum

Study Without Stress: How to Find a Seat

Lucy Petrie

This student-created poster provides practical advice for finding study space during busy periods. It highlights that Monday and Tuesday are typically the busiest days in the Library, with 11am–3pm identified as the busiest time of day, and suggests visiting earlier or later where possible. It also recommends alternative study locations, including the Fraser Building, James McCune Smith Learning Hub, McMillan Reading Room, Chemistry Library in the Joseph Black Building, and Gilchrist Café.

• Finding a seat to study - A guide to finding a seat to study in the library and alternative options.

Taking Books Off Shelves the Right Way

Irene Kelly

This student-created poster provides guidance on how to safely remove books from shelves in Archives and Special Collections. It explains that books should be removed by pushing neighbouring volumes back to create space, rather than pulling directly on the spine. It also advises removing books from the end of a row where shelves are tightly packed, and highlights that gloves should only be worn in special circumstances. Photographs demonstrate the recommended handling techniques.

• Taking books off the shelves in the right way - Describing the correct way to remove rare books from the shelves

The University & Global Counter Culture

Aderemi Ayotunde Ojo

This student-created poster explores the relationship between global political movements, student activism and institutional change at the University of Glasgow. It looks at themes including fellowship and solidarity, the election of Nobel laureate Albert Luthuli as Rector, anti-apartheid activity, student representation within University governance, and later protest movements. Using historical photographs, newspaper material and archival sources, the project considers how international activism influenced campus politics and asks how Glasgow moved from symbolic global activism towards more substantive institutional democratisation.

• Student poster titled ‘The University & Global Counter-Culture’, exploring student activism, Albert Luthuli’s Rectorate, anti-apartheid activity and institutional change at the University of Glasgow

Archives & Special Collections – Wearing Gloves While Handling Objects

Carolyn Anne Cusmano

The blog post explains that wearing gloves in Archives & Special Collections is not always the safest approach and should depend on the material being handled. Nitrile gloves are needed for particularly sensitive objects such as historic photographs with gelatin layers and books with metal bindings, where moisture and oils from the skin can cause lasting damage. For many other items, including most illuminated manuscripts, clean dry hands are preferable because gloves reduce touch sensitivity and can actually increase the risk of accidental damage. The key message is that handling requirements are decided case by case, and visitors should follow staff guidance on whether gloves are needed.

• Wearing Gloves While Handling Objects

Manuscript Media

Emma Templeton

This student-created resource explores different materials used in historic manuscripts and how they should be cared for. It looks at pencil, chalk and pigments, and iron gall ink, explaining how each material was used, the types of deterioration or damage that can occur, and appropriate conservation and handling techniques. The resource also considers the effects of light, moisture, acidity and physical handling on historic paper and parchment, with practical guidance on preventing damage and preserving manuscript collections.

• Manuscript Media A collection of posters describing the different media used to create manuscripts

Archives & Special Collections Wikipedia project

Kit Hope, Shivangi Rani and Jessica Dodridg

This student project reviewed and updated the Wikipedia page for the University of Glasgow’s Archives & Special Collections. The students identified areas for improvement including page organisation, the range and accuracy of information, tone, and use of sources. They added clearer information about the service’s history, enquiry and reading room services, and key collections including rare books, manuscripts, University Archives, Scottish Business Archives and Scottish Theatre Archives. The project also explored the importance of keeping widely used public information sources such as Wikipedia accurate and up to date, particularly as they may be a first point of contact for people discovering Archives & Special Collections online.

• Archives & Special Collections Wikipedia project (pdf)

History of the University of Glasgow Reading List

Anna Lightowlers and Adam Clarke

This student project developed an expanded reading list exploring the history of the University of Glasgow as part of its 575th anniversary commemorations. Building on earlier work that identified gaps and absent voices in traditional accounts of the University’s history, the project broadened the bibliography to include more recent scholarship and perspectives from students and marginalised groups. It also considered how key works from the reading list could be promoted more widely through displays, posters, QR codes and a dedicated selection of recommended reading, making the University’s history more accessible to students, staff and the wider community.

• History of the University of Glasgow Reading List

Library Timeline

Alyssa Huskey, Clare Maren McElhaney, Megan Steketee, Katie Steketee and Chloe Newton 

Develop prototypes to update and refresh the University of Glasgow timeline available at Glasgow University Library Timeline

Two prototype timelines were created:

• Horizontal version of the timeline
• Vertical version of the timeline

Staff in Archives and Special Collections are planning to make the timeline publicly available later this year.

Accessibility Handbook

Elektra Sorokowski

This student project produced an accessibility handbook for the University of Glasgow Library. It brings together information about accessing the Library, accessible facilities and accommodations, emergency procedures, services available to disabled students, and the Assistive Technology Centre. It also provides contact details and links to further accessibility information.

• Accessibility Handbook