200-year-old institution takes its archive online
FOR more than two centuries The Lit & Phil in Newcastle has stood the test of time and it seems that, as it learns to adapt to change once again, it is determined to weather the coronavirus storm too.
When the much-loved institution in Westgate Road was forced to close its doors to the public in March for the first time in its 227-year history, it decided to search its shelves and delve into archives to relaunch as a virtual library.
A spokeswoman said: “If necessity is the mother of invention then crisis is definitely the father”, adding that due to the Covid-19 closure: “The Lit & Phil had no option but to rise to the challenge.”
So, despite its funding streams having dried up, it has been pulling out the stops, with efforts to transfer access to books and music online and add extra attractions ranging from previouslyunpublished writing to competitions and puzzles.
The Lit & Phil – full name The Literary And Philosophical Society – is often described as the city’s hidden gem.
The largest independent library outside of London, it is renowned as a cornerstone for science, literature and enlightenment, with famous visitors from over its long history including local pioneers Robert Stephenson, Lord Armstrong and Charles Parsons and its illustrious events including talks by Charles Dickens and inventor Joseph Swan’s first public demonstration of the incandescent light bulb.
But it is a charity, without public funding, and with its library facilities out of use, and its programme of concerts and literary events at a halt – and their room hire revenue streams along with it – the library has been left in a “precarious” position, said the spokeswoman.
So the hope is that subscriptions from its 2,000-plus members will enable it to “weather the crisis, protect our staff and ultimately re-open our doors,” she said. And the library is doing everything it can to cater for those members – and hopefully attract new ones – as it faces the unprecedented challenge of inspiring visitors from behind its locked doors and with a skeleton staff working from home.
Its Virtual Lit & Phil project is creating a ‘remote’ and interactive service for members with the likes of a new blog featuring a mix of factual and fictional articles as well as new writing and topics for debate – and even music from the archives.
A virtual tour is currently being created so that online visitors will be able to take a walk through the building, which promises to be a real eye-opener for anyone who has not been inside before.
In the meantime, visitors to the website can learn about the its founding fathers and those historic ‘movers and shakers’ such as pioneering scientists and radical visionaries.
There are previously-unpublished works by local authors and submissions from local artists, poets and professors, alongside reading lists and thought-provoking topical pieces. Virtual visitors can also find competitions and puzzles.
Thousands of audio books are also available and the library’s ‘gramophone members’ can tune into the music library to download classical tracks. Its members are also receiving e-newsletters and following the likes of ‘Gems from the Collection’ posts on social media. And, as a next step, the team are talking about a book-posting scheme to keep its more isolated members entertained.
Members wanting to find out more about the digital services can email library@litandphil.org.uk while anyone wanting to learn about the library; support it by becoming a member or who is able to make a donation can do so at www.litandphil.org.uk