Eleanor Johnston (Staffordshire University)

The aim of this session is to inform ARLIS attendees about the Favia Collection Listening Club project undertaken at Staffordshire University Library. Housed within Special Collections (and out of public view) are a large collection of original film soundtracks on vinyl LPs. These were produced on American labels and imprints, as the collection, dating from c.1960-1985, was purchased in the United States,

We were aware that this collection was not being exploited and there was an opportunity to show off the contents and to potentially attract non-traditional library users to visit. Therefore, the library purchased a record player and began planning a Listening Club. This was held every fortnight and would consist of listening to a selection of the vinyl LPs in themed weeks (e.g. Bernstein, Music from Hitchcock Movies). Additionally, there would be an opportunity to view material from Box of Broadcasts relevant to the theme, and books / journals from our open collections would also be available to read. This would further promote subscribed services that students may not be aware of.

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The 10-minute lightning talk will discuss the aims of the project, promotion, visitors, feedback and next steps. It may be of interest to attendees wishing to hear some of the ways in which Special Collections material can be displayed, accessed and publicised.

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Eleanor Johnston is a subject librarian at Staffordshire University and currently works with Creative Arts and Social Sciences. She has undertaken projects with the International Relations, Art and Design and Special Collections. Eleanor works with students to increase their knowledge of peer- reviewed resources, reading lists and excellent academic practice.