Information Services Newsletter
Recent Library Developments

FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

Introducing RASCAL

RASCAL (Research and Special Collections available locally) is a fully searchable, web-based directory of research and special collections available throughout Northern Ireland containing material of benefit to researchers in the Humanities and Social Sciences. Its principal function will be to act as an electronic gateway to the wide range of research and special collections held in libraries, archives and museums across the North. The database offers details of location, format, content and access arrangements for all the selected collections. The intention is to promote a more effective and shared use of the various collections especially those, which have been under utilized in the past. The database offers users the opportunity to suggest any new collections for inclusion in the database. Collections suitable for inclusion should contain "rare or unique material, irrespective of format, or those that have attained a critical mass, which would make it attractive or perhaps essential for a researcher to visit." The material must be of significant benefit to researchers in the Humanities and Social Sciences and relate to specific named or discrete collections.

Rascal covers mostly material from the Social Sciences and the Humanities of a historical nature, it is not restricted to books and pamphlets but all types of resources. Examples of which are: The TF O'Rahilly Papers, Thomas Carnduff Archive, Thomas Percy Library, and BBC Northern Ireland Archive. To gain access go to the following web address http://www.rascal.ac.uk/

Bernard Watson
Library Networked Information Officer