File 57 - Helen Martin

Identity area

Reference code

OHP/57

Title

Helen Martin

Date(s)

  • 20 December 2001 (Creation)

Level of description

File

Extent and medium

1 minidisc, 1 cd, 1 file, 1 AIFF file (595.8 MB)

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Scope and content

Interview with Helen Martin, information manager for the Guardian. Conducted by Andy Murdoch on 20 December 2001. Also includes a data sheet containing biographical details about the subject and information about the recording.

Summary contents of interview (with rough timings):

Disc 1:
Track 1
00.30 History of library which started in Manchester
00.40 Refers to old staff and how Geoffrey Whatmore who ran the library moved to the BBC library
01.22 Micheal Frayn's play based on Guardian librarian
03.21 London library started in early 60s, when Guardian moved down. Led by Ken Murphy, who later became archivist
05.30 Describes the old library in the Sunday Times building
06.25 Lots of interaction which the Sunday Times journalists
07.45 Library was mostly cuttings and was in charge of indexing

11.50 Move to 119 Farringdon Road, London in 1976 - revamped library.
12.00 Asked to take over the library in 1979
14.04 Decision to move away from cuttings in the late 1970s to minitrieve didn't work - six week backlog
16.13 Attempt to merge library with the city library didn't work
17.23 Invited to Fleet Street to see 'World Reporter' computer system which became 'Profile'

21.45 No training given to journalists when Profile became available to them
21.45 Change in status of librarians - journalists asking for things they couldn't do themselves.
24.20 First PC and concerns over health and safety - black screens on windows and PC shields in case of radiation
26.40 In 1984 the library divided between 'archiving' and 'research'
26.40 Trainee librarians introduced to take care of archiving
29.15 Survery into media libraries and research services by University of North London

30.30 Discusses relationship with foreign journalists - 'they were almost our best customers'
32.26 Social circle largely revolved around Guardian
34.42 Relationship between Guardian and City University
36.57 Relationship with AUKML - previously had little contact with other newspaper librarians

41.12 Setting up of Fleet Street Exchange
47.28 Winding down of cuttings - eventually stopped in 2000

50.30 Benefit of exchange of information through AUKML. Move of librarians to editorial desk
52.28 Problems of change within the Guardian

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Access to recording via GNM Digital Repository

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Copyright: Guardian News & Media Ltd and Helen Martin

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