How to use our online library and archive catalogue

How to use the Marx Memorial Library’s Online Library and Archive Catalogue Our online catalogue is the easiest way to search our collections. It is hosted by Soutron and is a database of bibliographic information, descriptions and metadata on our books, pamphlets, periodicals, archives, posters and more. It tells us more about the collections, in addition to where to find them in the library. It is accessible to everyone online on our website here www.marx-memorial-library.org.uk 1. Basic search This is the best option if you have a particular name, place or title in mind.

Simply type your search term into the search box and press enter.

You will be taken to a new page with your search results. These will appear as a list under tabs.

The following headings are used Printed material = pamphlets and books Serials = periodicals and journals Archive = original archives e.g. Spanish Collection; papers of Arthur Clegg Posters

Your search term will be highlighted in yellow.

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Select the tabs to view results under each type. The tab with greatest number of search results will be displayed first on the left.

The numbers in the top right above the result list show the number of pages of results.

If you would like to further amend your search and sort by type you can deselect tick-boxes in the left side bar ‘Filter by Content’. You might like to do this if you know, for example, you are looking for archival rather than published material.

To view further details, select the record you are interested in from the results list. This will take you to a new page with additional information including the item’s reference and location. For further information on how to understand the descriptions of these record types see below sections 3-6.

2. Advanced search If you have more specific search criteria involving more than one field, you may need to use the catalogue’s advanced search function. Select the link in the top right hand of the screen. This will enable you to search various fields all at once. You can, for example, look for pamphlets published in 1920-1922, or for material campaigning against the apartheid regime published by the ANC.

Additional tools include: AND/OR Select a new field from drop down list e.g. shelf reference Search for an empty field using *

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When you select ‘search’ your results will appear as detailed above.

3. Records for archives

Archival records - usually unpublished manuscripts and papers created by a given person or organisation and retained for the on-going research value - are described in a hierarchy structure. The ‘collection’ description tells us about the whole archive, including information about the creating body or individual. Archives are then described at series, file and item level. Most people will request to view archival material at file or item level. The ‘extent’ field will give you an idea of how much material the record refers to.

This means that an archive collection can be searched (as above) or browsed using the tree hierarchy under the heading ‘Records Amendments Tree’. Select the ‘plus’ signs to browse through the file structure. You will need the reference to order the file or box to view in the reading room e.g. AC/1.

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4. Records for books and pamphlets

These can be found under ‘Printed Material’. Here you will find full details for volumes in the Library including publisher, author, editor and date. Thesaurus terms are used to link /tag the record thematically.

You can use these to browse related material in the Library.

Beneath the main record, you’ll find a list of ‘copies’ with ‘locations’ and ‘shelf reference’ – this is the information you’ll need to find the volumes in the library, or to order it from us in advance.

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5. Records for periodicals, journals and serials

These publications produced at regular intervals often by a corporate author or organisation can be found under ‘Serials’. If you are looking for a particular issue or date for a periodical, be sure to look at the ‘Serials Notes’. Here you will find information on the Library’s holdings. Many of the periodicals we have in our collections are rare and we don’t always have a complete run.

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6. Records for posters

A selection of our collection of over 2000 posters are searchable by title online. In Autumn 2018 we will be relaunching our poster catalogue featuring over 1700 posters with thumbnail images and descriptions. This will make them much more easy to search. To request further information on a poster, you will need its reference number beginning ‘PO’.

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7. Other finding aids Other hard copy finding aids are available at the Marx Memorial Library. Some of these are also available on our website. These include -

Handlist for the James Klugmann Collection here Handlists for the Branson Collection and Jones and Manchada archive here (most of these details are searchable through the archive catalogue) A guide to the Printers’ Collection available in the reading room An index of all Spanish Collection photographs; ask staff for further details

If you have any questions about our collections and using the catalogue don’t hesitate to contact Meirian Jump, Archivist & Library Manager at m.jump@marx-memorial-library.org.uk or call 02072531485.

Please do get in touch if you would like to view any of the material you find on our catalogue. We ask that readers book an appointment in our reading room with at least two working day’s notice. Our reading room is open MondayThursday 12-4pm. We are closed on bank holidays, for a two week period over Christmas and during the month of August.

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