The Collection
Development of the Collection
Since the foundation of the LI (then ILA) in 1929 books and lantern slides were collected as the basis of a library for members. This was administered by a Library Committee presided over by an Hon. Librarian from 1945-1978, after which the title was abolished and the committee had a chairperson in line with other LI committees. The first person to hold the title was Richard Sudell and the last Wendy Powell. During the 1960s it was decided that a part-time professional librarian should be appointed to organise and administer the library service and this practice continued until January 2004 when a full time librarian was also appointed. In 2002 the Library Committee was disbanded and the librarian is answerable to Council via the Director of Communications & Marketing.
The Collection
This comprises a collection of around 5000 books, reports and pamphlets on landscape architecture and related subjects covering both contemporary and historic material. In addition, approximately 33 major subject-related periodical titles are received regularly with landscape titles kept permanently on file.
The stock also includes a selection of British Standards, government publications and legislation, some 4000 slides, and a small collection of audio-visual material.
An archive collection is being built up and currently includes landscape drawings and related material by Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe, Dame Sylvia Crowe, Sir Peter Shepheard and Michael Brown.
The library houses a number of current journals.
Useful Library Links
- BSI online
- For current British Standards.
- CABE online image library
- With over 200 case-studies, including schools, hospitals, offices and housing, an invaluable guide to England's most inspiring buildings and spaces.
- Archive of Thomas H. Mawson
- Archive of Thomas H. Mawson, landscape architect of Lancaster and Windermere
- RIBA Online Catalogue
- The RIBA's British Architectural Library is the largest and most comprehensive resource in the United Kingdom for research and information on all aspects of architecture
- RHS Lindley Library
- The collection in London comprises over 50,000 books, ranging in date from 1514 to the present, over 300 current periodicals, as well as many older runs of periodicals, 22,000 botanical drawings, the country's largest collection of horticultural trade catalogues, and the Society's archives.
- Royal Town Planning Institute Library
- The library is a reference-only collection consisting mainly of post-1990 publications on planning-related topics, including a wide-ranging collection of current UK development plans and 100 current journals.
- Department for Communities and Local Government (was ODPM) - Planning policy
- Planning guidance and policy documents, research and statistics and links to other related sites which further explain the planning system
- Health & Safety Executive
- For CDM Construction (Design and management) regulations links.
- The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007.
- Plant Specification
- Plant lists of the most widely available plants for use in amenity plantings, compiled by the Horticultural Trades Association and in consultation with the Landscape Institute.
- NJCC
- National Joint Consultative Committee for Building links.