Introduction to the ACU Library

HISTORY

Founded in 1913, the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) is the world's oldest international association of universities. The ACU Reference Library holds material dating back to its foundation – including a complete set of its principal publication, the 'Commonwealth Universities Yearbook' (first issued in 1914). Much of the collection, however, is essentially post-war. As a small specialist reference collection it has concentrated on access to, and information about, higher education-related sources rather than aiming to be comprehensive in its own holdings, particularly in recent years with the rapid expansion of much freely available material online.

STOCK

The Library's emphasis is, necessarily, on higher education, though some material is also held on education affairs generally and broader Commonwealth/development issues. In addition to its book collection, numerous serials are received including scholarly journals, general periodicals and bulletins. University gazettes/newsletters also continue to be received regularly from member institutions Commonwealth-wide.

The Library's holdings include reports, educational statistics, histories of universities and of inter-university bodies. University acts/charters are also held (often received when a university becomes an ACU member). A considerable amount of 'grey literature' (not formally published) has also been received over the years, including, for example, conference papers, press releases, pamphlets and bibliographic listings. Most university calendars, prospectuses, annual and research reports are often now made available on institutional websites; some printed copies though are still held.

CLASSIFICATION

Although a specialist reference collection (higher education in the Commonwealth), the Library was originally catalogued using a general classification scheme (UDC). Flexibility has been maintained in this scheme by considerable use of geographical indexes and, latterly, key-words.

USE

The Reference Library is principally a working collection for the ACU Secretariat and the research it undertakes. It is integral to the Secretariat's needs, whether for specific departments, projects, or publications as well as the office generally. It contributes directly to many of the ACU's regular journals, printed and online (including the ACU Bulletin, and VC-NET). The Library is also, however, used occasionally by visitors to the office – primarily researchers and students. (Given space constraints much of its historical material is now stored off-site). In addition it continues to act as a source of information in dealing with some of the general higher education enquiries received by the office. For students interested in international study-abroad opportunities a series of factual information summaries, suggesting further sources, contact addresses and websites have been prepared. A selection of these is available here.

Normal library opening hours: Mon-Fri (10-1; 2-5)

Contact address

Reference Library
Association of Commonwealth Universities,
Woburn House,
20-24 Tavistock Square,
London WC1H 9HF