Whilst Covid restrictions closed the Local Studies Library to the public, Local Studies staff took the opportunity to make some minor changes. Here Archives Assistant, Lynda Tomkins describes what went on behind the scenes.
The need for social distancing has meant rearranging the computers in our Computer Room. This has given you much more space to spread out your family tree and any other research paperwork. We now have two digital scanners for microfiche and microfilm. By using one you can print out copies for 10p. Alternatively you can buy a digital license from us and then save your research to a memory stick or email the images to yourself. If you’re a bit of a technophobe don’t panic, we’re here to help.
If you have previously used the Local Studies Library you may have noticed a tall bookcase by the staff desk which contained many family history ‘how-to-do-it’ books. Much of this material was quite dated particularly in regard to online research methods, and so we have taken out the less relevant books. The most up to date stock is now in the bookcase alongside our parish register and memorial inscription transcripts – on the right as you enter the room.
That left us with an empty bookcase – so what did we do with that? Because of it’s prominent position in the room we decided that it would make a good display area. So now the top shelves are being used for our new books, and the bottom shelves are being used for monthly displays.
The topics of these displays are currently tying in with our monthly twitter topics, but we will also be linking with archive material being displayed in reception or on any up and coming talks or events. Do keep an eye out on our blog and Twitter page to find out what we are focusing on each month.
For September our chosen topic is learning as children and adults go back to school and university. We have explored this subject in slightly wider terms as we are all constantly learning (especially here at the Record Office where you never seem to go a day without learning something new!)
This month’s selection is:
471.51 R.Scollins & J. Titford: Ey up mi duck! (Especially for all our non-Derbyshire visitors! And me)
373.4251 The Derby School register 1570-1901 on CD
373.22 Hugh Brogan (2020): A school in England: History of Repton
370.94251 Derek Brumhead (2010): Education in New Mills to 1914
920ATT Richard Graves (2022): The life & times of Mary Attenborough
155.937 Rita Rogers (2003): Learning to live again
745.61 W S B Buck: Examples of Handwriting 1550-1650
371.384 Pete McDonald (2018): The story of White Hall Centre: Outdoor education across the decades
Local Author Helen Whitaker: The School Run
372.1 Derbyshire LEA (2005): ‘One year On’
700.6 (2005): Learning through arts
Moving out of the Computer Room, and going into Book Room 2 at the far end of the Local Studies floor, we have taken some books out and moved them into our storeroom behind reception. (If you wish to view any books from there just ask at the enquiry desk and staff will fetch them for you). By doing this we have been able to space out the remaining books so that we have room to shelve any new additions to stock. The books which have had to be moved are Dewey numbers 0 – 300 which cover the subjects: libraries and the organisation of knowledge; the paranormal, ghosts; philosophers; and religion. Moving the books around the room meant that I needed to physically handle every single book and obviously to also wipe down every shelf!
The Local Studies Library is now once again fully open to the public so come along and see us and the improvements we’ve made. We’re delighted to be able to welcome you back.
Derbyshire Record Office 
Congratulations on a job well done!
Thankyou