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A historic London archive covering Socialism, Marxism and the labor movement now gives researchers worldwide full online access to 40 previously uncataloged collections, all through a single search portal.
The Marx Memorial Library had Soutron in place but was only using it for books. With the right archivist and Soutron’s full feature set, 40 new collections were cataloged and made searchable online, expanding access for remote researchers, supporting funding applications and growing demand for the reading room.
The Marx Memorial Library & Workers’ School is one of those treasure troves that you find in London.
It has a world-class collection of published and unpublished material on Socialism, Marxism, revolutionary struggles and the trade union movement. It is there to support many different aspects of serious researchers.
The extensive archive includes books, periodicals, newspapers, photographs, posters and monographs. The walls are adorned with banners, plates, portraits and plaques celebrating working-class history. It is as enthralling as it is enchanting revealing a rich tableaux for the period when Marx lived in radical Clerkenwell, London.
Visitors can see the office where Lenin worked in exile, complete with copies of socialist newspaper Iskra which were clandestinely ferried across Europe. Groups can view copies of socialist literature printed on-site by Twentieth Century Press.
“The support from Soutron has also been incredibly responsive too, very helpful when it came to getting the user design and integration with our current website just how we wanted it.”
Meirian Jump
Director
For many years online access to the content held there was limited solely to a small part of the book catalog.
A modern, more efficient online solution was needed.
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With the introduction of many new features since the original installation of the Soutron system, Meirian was able to include forty collections previously uncataloged and these are now searchable online through a new Search Portal that is fully responsive in design, for mobile and tablet users to easily access.
The challenge for the charity was that there had been no one in post for some years able to apply the systems to serve the institution and to exploit the facilities of Soutron.
Under the supervision and energy of Meirian Jump, Archivist & Library Manager at the Library, much of the hard work by volunteers over many years is being brought together in a new web site with a new Online Search Portal delivered by Soutron.
“I have volunteers importing records from COPAC with ease” says Merian.
This new Online Search Portal by Soutron, lays the foundation for greater access to those who are unable to visit and use the facility in person. It also makes the facilities for researchers much better with browsing of Collections now possible. Demand for seats at the reading room has grown as a result of the extra facilities and more materials are being cataloged by volunteers.
The Marx Memorial Library & Workers’ School is a lively and exciting place. Its growth demonstrates how archivists armed with the right tools and a supportive supplier are able to respond to needs and provide good advice on how data can be managed and presented to make a transformative impact on their organisation and society as a whole.
Meirian also adds, “the support from Soutron has also been incredibly responsive too, very helpful when it came to getting the user design and integration with our current website just how we wanted it.”
You can access the archive on-line at: www.marx-memorial-library.org.uk
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The first step is to learn more. Here's how we can answer your questions:
Yes. The Marx Memorial Library had Soutron in place for its book collection but 40 additional collections had never been cataloged or made searchable. Using Soutron's full feature set, the library's archivist and a team of volunteers brought those collections online through a new search portal, without replacing the existing system or losing prior work.
The Marx Memorial Library runs much of its cataloging work through volunteers. Soutron made it straightforward for volunteers to import bibliographic records from COPAC directly, reducing the time spent on record creation and allowing the team to focus on getting more of the collection online.
The archivist noted that tasks which previously took a long time could be completed with ease after moving to the full Soutron platform.
Yes. The Marx Memorial Library needed its new search portal to match the design and feel of its existing website. Soutron worked with the team to align the user interface with the library's site, delivering a responsive portal that works across desktop, mobile and tablet devices.
The archivist described Soutron's support during that process as responsive and helpful.
At the Marx Memorial Library it did. After launching the Soutron search portal and making 40 collections searchable online for the first time, demand for seats in the on-site reading room grew.
Greater online visibility helped researchers discover what the library held, which brought more of them through the door rather than replacing in-person visits.
