Visit to the RUSI Library of Military History on Tuesday 14th October 2014, 2.00pm - 3.00pm.
This visit was organised jointly on behalf of CILIP Information Services Group (London and
South East sections) and CILIP Local Studies Group South.
28 people attended this enjoyable and very
interesting visit to the RUSI Library. Located in
the heart of Whitehall, and founded in 1831 by
the Duke of Wellington, RUSI is the UK’s forum
for national and international defence and
security. The library, correctly titled the RUSI
Library of Military History, has supported
members and staff’s information needs for over
180 years. Over this time it has built up a
collection of over 30,000 volumes on the military
arts and sciences, with excellent
collections covering conflicts from the Napoleonic Wars to our
current operations in Afghanistan, with extensive collection of
materials on the First World War.
The visit began with a warm welcome from part-time Librarian
and Archivist Laura Dimmock who took us first on introductory
tour of the building to view a variety of paintings and sculpture
lining the staircase and walls of committee rooms en route to the
library which turned out to be an elegant, circular and two story
space. The walls are lined with, floor to ceiling wooden bookcases,
with an iron staircase leading to a further gallery of book leaden
shelves, with the small staff office leading off from it.
Much like Doctor Who’s Tardis, this deceptively small library
turned out to be much larger then it appeared at first glance.
In contrast to its traditional Victorian appearance, we found the
study tables and chairs removed and the space set up
conference style for a talk which Laura explained, was not just
for us. The library is in fact often used for this purpose by many
international organisations and dignitaries including current
and ex-politicians, who use the space as a neutral forum for
discussions, meetings and presentations across a wide range of
topics, and has an audience capacity of up to 50.
From Laura we learned something of the long and varied
history of RUSI, the library and challenges faced in the
management, development and preservation of collections that both look to the past and
yet must engage with an unpredictable future, with what to collect now, what to keep or
discard. The library and collections are perhaps surprisingly fully accessible to RUSI members
and non-members alike, with members also having borrowing privileges. While the library is
often used for genealogical purposes, Laura answers a wide range of enquiries from
individuals, the serving military, students, researchers and organisations, governmental and
non- governmental and everything in between, and indeed worldwide.
While sole librarian in charge, Laura has engaged the help of an able team of heritage
volunteers from NADFAS (National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies) to help
and advise on necessary expert repairs and preservation of books and other donated items.
The library has also benefited from occasionally offering temporary work placements to
those seeking a career in the library and information sector requiring practical library
experience in advance of their studies.
Laura took questions throughout her presentation and stayed as we were left free to
wander and explore both the ground floor and gallery areas, with many taking the
opportunity to ask further questions about the library and the interesting historical artefacts
out on display for us. Visit attendees came from a wide range of libraries and institutions
including the Natural History Museum, the Royal Academy and the Office for National
Statistics and beyond. While we all found seeing this hidden gem of a library fascinating,
Laura was kind enough to say she too enjoyed our visit and found it worthwhile for making
new contacts and networking with colleagues from other libraries and institutions.
Eveleen Rooney
ISG (London & South East) Committee Member