British Library for Development Studies scoping project (360G-Wellcome-206452_Z_17_Z)

This application is for a scoping study of the historic collection of the British Library for Development Studies. The Library is based in the Institute of Development Studies, at the University of Sussex. This unique and valuable collection of print material was developed over the period between 1966, when the Institute of Development Studies was established, and 2016. There are approximately one million volumes including: 80,000 monographs and 10,000 serial titles. Taken all together this is the largest social science collection focused on development studies in Europe. Given the ongoing global shift to digital information, a new model of library provision is being developed to support IDS. The historic print collection needs to be protected, and the Institute is keen to find ways to exploit the potential of the collection for all researchers. There are particular challenges associated with the size and complexity of the collection, the use of a local classification scheme, and gaps in the coverage of the catalogue. The proposed scoping study is intended to create a comprehensive description and analysis of the collection. This will act as an invaluable framework for further work to make material more visible and accessible to as many researchers as possible.