The Spicer Library - History

History

The Spicer Library houses an invaluable collection of a wide range of applied linguistics and linguistics books, both new and old, and MA and PhD theses: all told, some 4,000 volumes. It has served the department's postgraduates since the mid 1980s, complementing and supplementing the services provided by the main university library, the Albert Sloman. The history of the Library has been one of steady expansion, though there have been problems and even doubts about its survival. Happily, the bleaker moments are now in the past, and the Spicer Library today remains steadfastly committed to continuing its tradition of service.

Humble beginnings

It is named after Sam Spicer, second Professor of Applied Linguistics (appointed to Essex in 1970) and second Chairman of the Department (until his retirement in 1983). Following on the heels of Peter Strevens, he helped to build the Department's reputation as one of the UK's finest in the field of Applied Linguistics, annually attracting students from over 100 countries worldwide.

The Library grew out of three original book collections which were amalgamated, catalogued and organised by Jo McDonough, Steven McDonough and Anita Sinclair, in effect, the pioneer Librarians. Steven McDonough continued to oversee the library operations from 1987 to 2000, after which the responsibility was undertaken by Dr. John T. Roberts. In 2004 the role was then transferred to Dr. Julian Good.

The collection grows

It started with a collection donated by Professor Sam Spicer upon his retirement in 1983. This collection consisted of books he had bought himself. The books were lent out to students.

The second collection of the original books incorporated into the library was one bought by subscription by MA students on the 'early version' of the MA in Applied Linguistics in the mid 1970s, and run as a communal service for the students by the students. Books were stored in a steel cupboard located in the social area and borrowing was conducted during coffee breaks. This collection expanded steadily and its management consumed considerable time, given by volunteers from the student body, who then 'bequeathed' the collection to the next intake of MA students. The book acquisitions were chosen and paid for by the students themselves. But as it grew, the problems of administration, time and security also increased. It was then decided that the Department take over responsibility for the book club.

Too big for its boots

In 1987, recognising the need for an appropriate location for this large collection, Prof. Martin Atkinson as Head of Department allocated the room the library presently occupies. During the ensuing years, a certain amount of departmental secretarial time was allowed for supervision of the library, but financial pressures finally made this provision unsustainable.

More books

The third collection was an important addition of books and, in particular, teaching materials that the first Librarians had built up for the Certificate and Diploma courses then run by the EFL Unit, in those days part of the Department. The Sloman Library found it difficult to carry that kind of resource, though they would gladly have received all the other books.

Since the first three collections were brought together, the library has been funded partially by the Department and the EFL Unit (now International Academy) for new acquisitions, though neither Department nor Centre actually has a budget for such purposes because library funds all theoretically go to the Sloman. Individuals, former students and members of staff, have also donated collections.

Donations A major milestone in the Library's development came in January 2003 when Heather Spicer, Professor Spicer's widow, made a generous donation to it and pledged a recurring annual contribution of the same amount in the coming years. This donation goes towards purchasing new books to update the current collection.

Loss ownership feeling

What has not happened in recent years is that current students contribute books bought out of their own pockets, the norm when it was 'their' collection. Thus, they have not felt 'ownership' of the Library in the same sense as they did originally. Unfortunately, this can lead to the mistaken belief that the library is a routinely funded and centrally provided service in the same way as the Sloman. An understandable illusion as student numbers and collections grow, but one which these comments will hopefully correct.

End on a high note

Nevertheless, since autumn 2001, the Spicer Library has yet again been run for students by students, under the supervision of, and with encouragement from, present and past Librarians. The Department also lends its strong support.

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