The Information and Publicity Services Department was formally established with the appointment of the first Information and Publicity Officer, Fiona Selkirk , in 1987 . The department at this time consisted of two members of staff. The department's creation was the acknowledgement of the need in the late 20th century 'to be outward looking, concerned to explain themselves, to attract enquiry and investment, and to serve the interests of the community'. The appointment was also designed to exploit the publicity that the City of Glasgow was receiving leading up to being the City of Culture in 1990 . In 1996 the department was renamed Publicity Services.
In 1999 the department consisted of eight people: the Director, two press officers, a communications officer, a deputy publications officer, two secretaries and web director. The role of Publicity Services today is to publicise the University of Glasgow, disseminate information on its behalf and provide the university community with advice and expertise on publicity. There are services for both the media and university staff, for example providing journalists with information about the University and the activities of departments, staff and students. When appropriate, publicity services put journalists in touch with the relevant member of staff and/or department. Publicity Services are responsible for the production of the University Staff Newsletter, the Annual Report, the Graduates Magazine Avenue, the Media Directory, the research promotional bulletin Leading Edge and various information brochures and leaflets. The department also helps staff produce publications and websites and advises them on how to deal with the press, radio and television. In addition to this they are responsible for the central navigational part of the university's website and produce websites for the university's main publications. Publicity Services is part of the External Relations and Marketing Division of Central Administration.
The collection was brought together by the Publicity Services Department although the creators were a variety of University administrators who compiled the albums of press cuttings.