Today we closed the doors on the current Caird Library for the last time. As regular readers of the blog will know, we have been planning a move into a new reading room and storage facility, part of the Sammy Ofer Wing, for some time. Now the business of physically moving our collections begins in earnest.

Over the next few months we’ll be moving our vast manuscript and printed collections into their new home. We’ll keep you posted on how we are getting on with news on the blog.

Of course, this isn’t the end of a Caird library at the National Maritime Museum and the new reading room will proudly carry the name of Sir James Caird. The current library has been a pleasure to work in. The reading room has been made an especially enjoyable environment thanks to the interesting and friendly readers who visit. We look forward to welcoming you into our new reading room. See you there!

Richard (Assistant Archivist)

April’s item of the month is a volume from the Museum’s shipbuilding series of manuscripts (SPB). One would therefore be forgiven for thinking that the manuscript, and indeed the item of the month article, is all about the construction of ships. In truth, SPB/15 contains a more varied, and eclectic, mix of content. Briefly described on our online catalogue as a ‘commonplace book with notes on shipbuilding and other naval topics by Captain Edward Rotheram’, the manuscript includes details and measurements of ships (of course) as well as an assortment of quotations, advice, facts and figures.

Richard (Assistant Archivist)