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December 14, 2025
PURE Validation Training
Here at the University of Edinburgh we are gearing up for the implementation of the new REF Open Access requirements, and we are starting to trial new workflows. My colleagues Eugen Stoica and Fiona Wright have been working with the Humanities & Social Sciences College Office to put together some training for administrators to validate items in PURE. We are pleased to be able to publish some documentation we are using in current training sessions at http://hdl.handle.net/1842/10021.
As ever, we value feedback on our project outputs so please email me at dominic.tate@ed.ac.uk if you have questions or feedback.
Dominic Tate, University of Edinburgh
Data Vault project kickoff meeting
Last week, members of the Data Vault project got together for the kickoff meeting. Hosted at the University of Manchester Library, we were able to discuss the project plan, milestones for the three month project, agreed terminology for parts of the system, and started to assign tasks to project members for the first month.
Being only three months long, the project is being run in three one-month chunks. These are defined as follows:
- Month 1: Define and Investigate: This phase will allow us to agree what the Data Vault should do, and how it does it, Specifically it will look at:
- What are the use cases for the Data Vault
- How do we describe the system (create overview diagrams)
- How should the data be packed (metadata + data) for long term archival storage
- Develop example workflows for how the Data Vault could be used in the research process
- Examine the capabilities of archival storage systems to ensure they can support the proposed Data Vault
- Month 2: Requirements and Design: This phase will create the requirements specification and initial design of the system:
- Define the requirements specification
- Use the requirement specification to design the Data Vault system
- Month 3: Develop a Proof of Concept: This phase will seek to develop a minimal proof of concept that demonstrates the concept of the Data Vault:
- Deliver a working proof of concept that can describe and archive some data, and then retrieve it
At the end of month three, we will prepare for the second Jisc Data Spring sandpit workshop where we will seek to extend the project to take the prototype and develop it into a full system.
All of this is being documented in the project plan, which is a ‘living document’ that is constantly evolving as the project progresses. The plan is online as a Google Document:
Look out for further blog posts during the month as we undertake the definitions and investigations!
Vintage Conservation
Our conservation volunteers have been doing a fantastic job over the past months surface cleaning, repairing and re-housing the Library Correspondence from the University’s archive collection. There have been many interesting pieces uncovered during this work, but one such item in particular caught our eye, namely an advertisement for conservation services – 1940s style!
This advert for ‘PERMA’ treatment and its claims that it can make your important papers last forever with its “dirtproof, rotproof, waterproof, greaseproof” qualities just goes to demonstrate how far conservation has developed from the 1940s to the present day. Although the attached treated sample piece does certainly appear to have lasted the years (although whether it is “everlasting” awaits to be seen…) it is not a treatment method that we would employ today. Ethical considerations and guidelines, are much more ingrained in the modern-day conservation profession with the physical, historical and aesthetic integrity of the object now being placed at the forefront of our decision making. Alongside the development of the conservation profession, comes a greater understanding of the methods and materials that we use, allowing us to make much more informed decisions regarding appropriate treatment options. Two of the main principles that we work towards are the concepts of minimal interventive treatment and reversibility (ideas that are not particularly compatible with ‘PERMA’ treatment). This ensures that the risk of introducing anything which may adversely affect the object is kept to a minimum, whilst allowing for the chance that new, improved, techniques and materials may be developed in the future. However sound these principles may be, it can only go so far, for example, surface cleaning – although important – would not be necessarily be considered reversible and therefore must be taken into account when deciding on a treatment plan.
It is certainly apparent that our conservation priorities have changed over the years, and there are a few things which should perhaps stay in the past…
Post by Emma Davey, Conservation Officer
George McDonald Sutherland (1886-1917), architect
GEORGE MCDONALD SUTHERLAND AND HIS LOST ‘YEARS TO BE’… THE STORY OF A ROBBED CAREER.
George McDonald Sutherland, from a photograph loeaned and reproduced with the kind permission of his great-niece.
In his 1914 sonnets (III. The Dead), the war poet Rupert Brooke (1887-1915) wrote of the fallen, the dead, as having given up
‘…the years to be… Of work and joy, and that unhoped serene… That men call age…’.
Architectural mouldings drawn by George McDonald Sutherland. Coll-1319.
Brooke’s words make us think about the working lives and the achievements, and possible greatness that the dead of the First World War – and other wars – would never reach or know. They ‘had seen movement and heard music, known slumber and waking […] Felt the quick stir of wonder […] touched flowers and furs and cheeks’ (Brooke 1914 sonnets. IV. The Dead). They had begun their careers and to make their mark on the world, and, continuing with the Brooke theme – but thinking about the story of George McDonald Sutherland told below – they had smelt sharpened wood pencil, and felt cold, raw mason’s stone.
George McDonald Sutherland (right) with his brothers David (left) and Norman (middle). From a photograph loaned and reproduced with the kind permission of their great-niece.
George McDonald Sutherland was born in 1886, the son of George P. Sutherland and Helen Sutherland of Galashiels in Selkirkshire. His father, who served as an apprentice sculptor in Edinburgh, London and New York, went on to found the firm of George Sutherland & Sons (Galashiels), Sculptors and Monumental Masons, in 1881. The firm operated throughout the Borders, and the carvings on the local Galashiels Post Office building were created by the elder Sutherland in 1886, the year of his son’s birth.
Detail from an oak bench drawn by George McDonald Sutherland in July 1904, during his apprenticeship. Coll-1319.
Detail from an oak bench drawn by George McDonald Sutherland in July 1904, during his apprenticeship. Coll-1319.
At the age of seventeen, in 1903, following in his father’s footsteps, the younger George McDonald Sutherland was apprenticed to the architectural practice of Robert Lorimer (1864-1929), later Sir Robert Lorimer, of Edinburgh. After his apprenticeship and after he had become an architect himself, George McDonald Sutherland went to Toronto, Canada, to start an architectural business and bought land there too.
Caroline Park gates, Granton, Edinburgh, drawn by George McDonald Sutherland. Coll-1319.
On the outbreak of war in 1914, George McDonald Sutherland wanted to come back to Scotland and fight, although the family tried to dissuade him. Nevertheless he did return – like many other Scottish Canadians – and joined the 4th Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers and Lothians and Borders Horse.
George McDonald Sutherland in uniform. Photograph reproduced with the kind permission of his great-niece.
George McDonald Sutherland in uniform. Photograph reproduced with the kind permission of his great-niece.
At the age of 31, 2nd Lieutenant George McDonald Sutherland, by then of the 7th/8th Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers, was killed at Arras, France, on 9 April 1917 at the start of the opening phase of the British-led Battle of Arras (also known as the Second Battle of Arras), of which the Battle of Vimy Ridge formed a part.
Architectural detail from Melrose Abbey, drawn by George MacDonald Sutherland. Coll-1319.
From 9 April, the day of George’s death, until 16 May 1917, British, Canadian, South African, New Zealand, Newfoundland, and Australian troops attacked German defences near this French city on the Western Front. While there were major gains on the first day – when George was killed – these were followed by stalemate. The battle cost nearly 160,000 British casualties and about 125,000 German casualties.
George McDonald Sutherland noted in the Roll-of-Honour in the work ‘War record of 4th Bn. King’s Own Scottish Borderers and Lothian and Border Horse : with history of the T.F. Associations of the counties of Roxburgh, Berwick and Selkirk’, published in 1920. Edinburgh University Library general collections. D546.5.4th War. (2nd Floor).
George was buried in Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, at Souchez, in the Pas de Calais department of northern France, about 3.5 kilometres north of Arras – a cemetery maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWCG).
From a drawing of urns done by George McDonald Sutherland. Coll-1319.
Drawing of urns done by George McDonald Sutherland. Coll-1319
Back home in Galashiels, in the Borders, the family firm of Sculptors and Monumental Masons continued to operate over several decades, with war memorials and grave stones comprising a large part of the business, and with George’s brother Norman running the Hawick office of the firm.
Architectural mouldings drawn by George McDonald Sutherland. Coll-1319.
Indeed, the carved ‘Angel of Peace’ on the Galashiels war memorial at the Burgh Chambers – unveiled by Field-Marshal Earl Haig in 1925 – was the work of another of George’s brothers, sculptor David Sutherland (1884-1962), who saw military service in Salonika, Batumi and Baku.
Architectural mouldings drawn by George McDonald Sutherland. Coll-1319.
Because the ‘Angel’ on the Galashiels memorial had been carved leaning slightly forward and with its head dipped, light shining from the side creates shadows giving the effect of Angel’s wings above the statue (though, regrettably, modern street-lighting obscures the effect).
Architectural mouldings drawn by George McDonald Sutherland. Coll-1319.
It seems fitting though that George McDonald Sutherland’s name is inscribed on the Roll of Honour in Galashiels displaying an Angel carved by his brother on the Burgh Chambers designed by the very architect who trained him – Sir Robert Lorimer.
Architectural mouldings drawn by George McDonald Sutherland. Coll-1319.
George Sutherland & Son of Galashiels purchased a Tweedmouth monumental mason’s yard which was to have been run by a younger member of the Sutherland family. However, before he could take over the yard, Lt. John McDonald Sutherland (Cameron Highlanders), a signaller, was killed on 28 March 1945 during the push over the River Rhine.
The wrought-iron gates to dining hall at St. John’s College, Oxford, drawn by George McDonald Sutherland in 1910. Coll-1319.
Although his ‘years to be of work and joy’ were stolen from him and we could never see the mature product of his working life, in 2011 a collection of original architect’s drawings by George McDonald Sutherland was kindly donated to Edinburgh University Library, Centre for Research Collections, by a great-niece living in Surrey, England. These allow us to see the talent of his early years in architecture. Parts of these drawings illustrate this blog-post honouring George McDonald Sutherland (1886-1917). Younger members of the family of George McDonald Sutherland’s great-niece are on their way to following career paths in architecture too.
Architectural detail from Melrose Abbey, drawn by George MacDonald Sutherland. Coll-1319.
But… back to Brooke and to the 1914 sonnet IV. The Dead… and to the life, career and ambitions of George McDonald Sutherland… the dead of the First World War and other wars…
‘All this is ended […] And after, Frost, with a gesture, stays the waves that dance ‘.
Dr. Graeme D. Eddie, Assistant Librarian Archives & Manuscripts, Centre for Research Collections
Trial access to SIPRI Yearbook Online
The Library has set up trial access to SIPRI Yearbook Online. You can access this via the E-resources trials page at www.ed.ac.uk/is/databases-trials.
The SIPRI Yearbook, written by authors who are experts in their field, is known worldwide as an essential and independent source for issues on armaments and arms control, conflicts and resolutions, security arrangements and disarmament, as well as longer-term trends in international security. SIPRI Yearbook Online offers access to the SIPRI Yearbooks published from 2010 and onwards, all available on one, easy-to-use and fully cross-searchable resource.
SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) is an independent international institute dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament. Established in 1966, SIPRI provides data, analysis and recommendations, based on open sources, to policymakers, researchers, media and the interested public.Find out more at http://www.sipri.org/
Trial access is available until 30th April 2015. We would welcome feedback on this database as this helps with making the decision on whether the resource should be considered for subscription or not.
Caroline Stirling – Academic Support Librarian for Social and Political Science
Divinity student book recommendations now available
All these books (and more) were recommended by Divinity students and are now available to University of Edinburgh Library users – more details on the library catalogue.
100+ book recommendations from Divinity students have been received over since August 2014, via the student recommendation form on the Library website.
Trial access to Political Science Complete
The Library has set up trial access to Political Science Complete. You can access this via the E-resources trials page at www.ed.ac.uk/is/databases-trials.
This major database from EBSCO provides extensive coverage of global political topics with a worldwide focus, reflecting the globalisation of contemporary political discourse. Covering top-ranked scholarly journals, many of which are unique to the product, Political Science Complete is a must-have for researchers in the field. The database offers full-text access to a huge range of material including nearly 340 full-text reference books and monographs and more than 44,000 full-text conference papers, which includes those from the International Political Science Association. Subject coverage includes comparative politics, humanitarian issues, international relations, law and legislation, non-governmental organisations and political theory.
For a full list of publications covered by this database see the Coverage List (pdf).
Trial access is available until 24th April 2015. We would welcome feedback on this database as this helps with making the decision on whether the resource should be considered for subscription or not.
Caroline Stirling – Academic Support Librarian for Social and Political Science
A year in the life of Open Access support: continuous improvement at University of St Andrews
The LOCH Project is pleased to announce the publication of its latest case study: A year in the life of Open Access support: continuous improvement at University of St Andrews.
This case study explains the “Lean Exercise” that the Open Access and Research Publications Support Team took part in during May 2014, as well as the follow-up to this exercise and the impact it has had on the team’s day-to-day activities.
The case study provides plenty of detail of the Lean method, details of process improvements undertaken at St Andrews and example documentation which is available for re-use.
Case Study: http://hdl.handle.net/10023/6430
St Andrews Lean Office: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/lean/
Dominic Tate, on behalf of St Andrews University
Easter Greetings from New College Library
New College Library is open as usual for semester time over the Easter period, see Library Opening hours for more detail. When visiting, take a moment to look at our Special Collections display, which currently features a 1637 Book of Common Prayer written for the use of the Church of Scotland, edited by Archbishop William Laud, open at the readings for Easter Day. We also have on display a 1602 New Testament, open to show a map of the Holy Land and the beginning of St Matthew’s Gospel.
In the Funk Reading Room display case, you can see a selection of more modern titles relating to Easter.
Olive Schreiner Letters Online
Olive Schreiner was an author, feminist and social theorist. Although she received no formal education Schreiner would become one of the most important social commentators of her day.
Her writings include allegories, social theory and novels. One of her most famous novels, The Story of an African Farmer (1883, originally published under the pseudonym Ralph Iron), “secured her reputation as an evocative storyteller, a daring and perceptive freethinker, and feminist” (from Oxford Dictionary of National Biography Online).
The Olive Schreiner Letters Online provides you with access to transcriptions of Schreiner’s more than 4800 extant letters located in archives across Europe, the US and South Africa, with detailed editorial notes and background information, thanks to the Olive Schreiner Letters Project. The transcripts include insertions and deletions, omissions and spelling mistakes – so just as Schreiner wrote them. The letters are fully searchable and guides to the archival locations of all her letters are also available.
If you are interested in political history, socialism, feminism, women’s or gender studies, colonialism, imperialism in southern Africa, political and economic change in South Africa after the First World War and much, much more then this is a fascinating resource.
The Olive Schreiner Letters Online (http://www.oliveschreiner.org/) is a freely available resource. It can also be accessed via the Databases pages on the Library website.
The Library holds a number of Schreiner’s books in its collections – Olive Schreiner works in Library (e-books are only available to students and staff at University of Edinburgh).
Caroline Stirling – Academic Support Librarian for Social and Political Science
Collections
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Projects
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Archival Provenance Research Project: Lishan’s Experience
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