Virtual reading rooms make use of visualiser technology to share high-quality images in real time with remote users. They can be used by researchers, online classrooms and others to view, examine and explore fragile, rare and unique items and artefacts. They also allow special collections materials held by institutions to be made accessible more widely to researchers, and to be enjoyed by communities that might not otherwise be able to visit in person.

After a successful trial with the equipment, in June we approached the Convocation Trust to help with funding the service, as we believed it met their principles of providing facilities that would benefit the University and all its federal members, as well as making resources available to the wider public.  We were granted funding in July for the purchase of the equipment - which, happily, means that the library can deliver the service very soon, and it should be up and running by the end of the year (December 2022).

Catherine Stephen, deputy director of Senate House Library, said:

“One of the positive advances to come out of the pandemic was the virtual reading room - as libraries sought to continue to support researchers while access was restricted through lockdown. We’re continually doing all we can to find new ways of improving access to our collections, and this new resource is just another way that users can view some of the amazing collections we have at Senate House Library.

“We hope that researchers, students and scholars based in the Library, the School of Advanced Study, or the wider University of London federation will be able to make use of the equipment in their research, teaching and outreach. We also hope that the new service will broaden our audience and inspire new ways of working with our unique materials.”

About the Convocation Trust

The Trust is specific to the University of London. It was linked with the University of London Convocation - the association of graduates, which was established by Charter in 1858 and ran until 2003. Although the Convocation closed in 2003, the funds it held were invested by the Trust and continue to support our community.

The Trust continues to play an active role across the University of London federation to this day: in recent years, it has made multiple grants in support of scholarships and academic prizes, student services, and student housing - which benefit those studying at any of the 17 independent member institutions of the University of London. The Trust has also supported exhibitions and other activities at the University that not only benefit students but also the general public, as they open up access to the University’s unique resources and facilities.  It is independent of the University’s central management.