Course Catalogue

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This course consists of a lecture, then a series of visits and walks exploring some of Glasgow's impressive libraries and archives. With a focus on the local civic and cultural history of Glasgow's libraries, this course will bring to life the past and present purpose of academic, public, professional and specialist libraries in the city.

After a classroom-based lecture to set the scene, this course will offer guided visits to the University of Glasgow Special Collections, and then several professional libraries such as Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Royal Faculty of Procurators. This course will also feature a visit to the Glasgow Women's library and several local public libraries, such as those in Hillhead, Bridgeton, Govanhill and Langside.

Maps and notes will be provided for students including meeting points for students to make their own way to at each of the visited locations.

Block 3 or 4

One day over Monday - Friday (to be confirmed) 10:00-13:00

For timetable details, please see our webpages University of Glasgow - Study - Short courses

Indicative sample class schedule:

Week 1 - Overview and history (classroom-based lecture)

Week 2 - University of Glasgow Special Collections, then a walk to Hillhead Library and Partick libraries

Week 3 - Royal College of Physicians &Surgeons, walk, then Royal Faculty of Procurators

Week 4 - Walk from Govanhill Library to Langside Library

Week 5 - Glasgow Women's Library, walk, then Bridgeton Library

None

None

None

Not applicable to a non-credit bearing course

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. Where, exceptionally, reassessment on Honours courses is required to satisfy professional/accreditation requirements, only the overall course grade achieved at the first attempt will contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

This course aims to

■ Support students to learn more about the purpose and features of some of Glasgow's most notable libraries through in-person guided and open-access visits

■ Explore and discuss the social and cultural contexts in which Glasgow's libraries developed

■ Examine and explain the broader role of libraries in society, and in particular in Glasgow

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Describe the purpose and features of some of Glasgow's most notable libraries

■ Demonstrate a sound knowledge of the social and cultural contexts in which these libraries were developed

■ Evaluate the role of libraries in society, and in particular in Glasgow

Not applicable to a non-credit bearing course