Alerts

Abstract

The British Library National Sound Archive has published an important reference book Directory of Recorded Sound Resources in the United Kingdom, 1989, 173pp., ISBN 0 7123 0502 5. It is compiled and edited by Lali Weerasinghe, with research by Jeremy Silver and lists 489 collections of both privately made and rare commercial recordings in the UK, covering all subject areas. Addresses of the collections, opening hours, conditions of access and details of size and contents are given. The arrangement is initially under county of location but the indexes include subjects, names of collections and individuals and thus allows research across any desired topic. The collecting bodies include libraries, museums, record offices, learned societies, archives, radio stations, business and industry; and collections have been comprehensively sought out, though it surprises me that the British Film Institute is missed because it must have many historical recordings coupled with moving images. This directory is a worthy addition to the growing number of valuable National Sound Archive publications. Its price, in hardback, is £30 from the British Library Publications Sales Unit, Boston Spa, Wetherby, West Yorkshire LS23 7BQ.

Citation

Ashworth, W. (1989), "Alerts", New Library World, Vol. 90 No. 8, pp. 155-156. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb038796