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David Lewis Collection
- Background to the Collection
- Contents of the Collection
- Collection Criteria
- Access to the Collection
Background
The Collection was formed and managed by Dr David Lewis, Cataloguing Manager in the University Library from 1966 to 2004, and is named the David Lewis Collection in recognition of his many years of valued service to the University. It contains around 3000 books and journals which for one or more reasons are considered better held in a more secure environment than that afforded by open access.
The books and journals in the David Lewis Collection have been acquired by the University Library and its predecessors over the past 70 years. Some were acquired by Loughborough College library during the 1930s, subsequently passing to the Loughborough College of Technology library and ultimately to the University Library. Many more were obtained at the time of the mergers with Loughborough College of Education and Loughborough College of Art and Design. During the early years of the University, the Library received a few quite substantial donations. The more valuable items in these collections are now in the David Lewis Collection.
Contents of the Collection
Although the collection covers a wide range of subjects, it is particularly well represented in the following areas:
- Architecture, art and design
- History of town and country planning
- History of science and engineering
- History of sport
- 18th and early 19th century English literature
- Leicestershire history and topography
Major donations include:
- 19th and early 20th century books on chemistry, chemical engineering, mining and related areas from the Davis-Swindin donation
- Early books on electricity, electrical engineering and telegraphy formerly belonging to the Institution of Electrical Engineers
- Books on mathematics and mathematical physics formerly belonging to Eric Neville, first professor of mathematics at Reading University College
- Books on civil and mechanical engineering formerly belonging to J.F. Peck, professor of civil and mechanical engineering at Loughborough College of Technology
The Library has recently begun collecting books published by the Plough Press which was founded by Geoffrey Wakeman and based in Pantain Road, Loughborough from 1967-1981. The majority of Plough Press books are limited editions, letterpress printed and hand-bound and are concerned with the history of paper and printed work. We have been able to begin this collection due to a generous bequest from the late Dr. David Lewis.
Collection Criteria
The criteria for inclusion in the David Lewis Collection include age, value, scarcity, physical condition and special attributes such as quality of binding. Books written by Alumni of the Colleges, or University are also collected.
Access
The David Lewis Collection is situated on Level 3 of the University Library. and requests to make use of material or enquiries about the Collection should be addressed to the Library's Support Services desk (ext 222337) or to the Collection's Custodian Carol Seagrove ext 222348).
All items in the Collection are available for consultation within the Library and are listed in the Library Catalogue. Material may be photocopied subject to the copyright regulations and the physical condition of the work, but it is not available for loan.