The project aims to build a new archive centre and make the heritage collections more accessible to everyone, free of charge. The collections, which range from local to national significance are particularly strong in music and sport and include the archive of the Rugby League and the British Music Collection – cared for by the university on behalf of the Rugby League Board and Sound and Music. A number of other collections given to or deposited at the university since the 1840s, particularly in politics and local history feature highly, and the project will mean more people will be able to access the unique archives and rare printed books the university holds. 

The long term future of vulnerable items like plate glass negatives, cassettes and betamax videos will also be secured through conservation and cataloguing, funded by the project. During the four years of the project there will be learning and activity programmes centered on the collections, and catalogues will go online for the first time. The first year will also see the building of new dedicated specialist accommodation for the collections and users on the university’s campus, to open in late 2014.

Professor Tim Thornton, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning, said “This is a fantastic opportunity to put the university’s record for academic excellence together with our local communities and people further afield.”

Fiona Spiers Head of Heritage Lottery Fund Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “This is a great project which will transform and open up the University of Huddersfield’s amazing heritage collections, particularly noteworthy in the sporting and music arenas. We are delighted to offer funding, which will enable the university to safeguard the material and run an exciting array of learning and volunteering activities in the process.”

Notes to editors

The University of Huddersfield Archives & Special Collections Service aims to collect and preserve archives and special published materials for the benefit of the wider public as well as members of the university, and is open to all and free to use. It holds around a quarter of a million unique or rare items ranging from the 18th century up to 2013.

Further information
University of Huddersfield: Sarah Wickham, University Archivist on 01484 473 935, email: s.wickham@hud.ac.uk