Founded in 1884 to ‘advance the science of Geography in all its branches’, the Royal Scottish Geographical Society is the foremost independent body in Scotland promoting an understanding of the inter-relationships between people, places and the environment through geographical research, education, debate, travel and exploration. The Society also has an important role to play in representing the broader interests of geography education in Scotland and in providing appropriate links between schools, higher education institutions, commerce and industry and the general public.
The Society has launched a website from its 'Images for All' project at http://www.rsgs.org/ifa/
This contains previously unseen images of St Kilda, including the evacuation; early maps and charts of Scotland; the herring fishing industry in Barra; Scottish landforms; and photographs taken by 19th century lady explorers Isobel Wylie Hutchinson and Ella Christie.
In 2008 the Society moved its headquarters to Lord John Murray House, 15-19 North Port Perth PH1 5LU.
This long-established Collection comprises over 15,000 books and around 120 serial titles currently received on a regular basis by the Society.
Of particular significance in the Collection are a set of Hakluyt publications, sizeable collections of travel guides, geographical journals, monographs on geography, local history and topography, and works on polar exploration and mountaineering.
The Collection is augmented on a continuing basis by additions of books, reports and serial issues supplied through the RSGS
In addition to the book and periodical Collection housed in the University of Strathclyde Library, the RSGS has additional collections of maps, photographs, archives and reference material at its Headquarters. Enquiries about these collections should be addressed to the Society’s staff.
Access to the RSGS Library Collection is available freely to Members of the Society as well as the University of Strathclyde’s own staff and students during the normal opening hours of the University Library. Other bona fide scholars who wish to use the Collection should apply in writing to the Director of Library Services at the University of Strathclyde.
Some rare and valuable items in the Collection are only available for consultation in the Archives and Special Collections room, which is generally open from Monday to Friday, 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. Visitors, especially those coming from a distance, are advised to contact the Library in advance to arrange access.
Readers may be assisted with an extensive range of information sources by the staff of the University Library at the main enquiry desk on Level 3.
All stock held within the RSGS Library Collection is listed on the Library catalogue and may be located by searching SUPrimo.
Irene Stirling,
Humanities & Social Sciences Faculty Librarian,
The University Library, University of Strathclyde, Curran Building,
101 St James’ Road, Glasgow G4 0NS.
Phone: 0141 548 4591 E-mail: i.e.stirling@strath.ac.uk
