Archives and Special Collections
The University of Glasgow's Archives and Special Collections is one of the foremost resources in Scotland for academic research and teaching. Our holdings of medieval and Renaissance manuscripts are of international importance and we welcome researchers from Glasgow and across the world.
Robert MacLean, one of the dedicated librarians who looks after our Archives and Special Collections, writes:
"Archives and Special Collections (ASC) at the University of Glasgow offers students of the medieval and early modern world incredible opportunities.
Students are welcomed – through scheduled classes and in their own study-time – to visit ASC to view and handle historical texts and objects in our reading rooms.
In practice this might mean poring over the parchment leaves of one of the 650-odd medieval and Renaissance manuscripts of the Hunterian collection; or gently turning the 500-year-old paper pages of a Golden Legend issued from William Caxton’s press. It might mean the opportunity to see an early Sri Lankan book, written out on palm leaves; or, the beautiful calligraphy and illumination of an early Qur’an manuscript. It might even mean deciphering the Scottish secretary-hand scrawl of centuries old invoices from the University’s own administrative records, so finding out how much money was spent by the Principal on claret and fine dining, or how much the librarian was paid.
Students will be guided in safe object handling and taught how to use our catalogues and finding aids. Class visits are limited to small groups to afford students the best possible opportunity to discuss objects with ASC staff and learn about our unique collections.
While, in the immediate future, physical access to collections may be restricted due to the exigencies of physical distancing, plans are being put into place to replicate in-person handling through powerful document camera set ups, for a thrilling over-the-shoulder remote viewing experience. And, at the very earliest moment that it is deemed safe to do so, physical access to collections will resume for all."