U.M.I.S.T. and predecessor bodies Publications Collection: Newspapers, Magazines and Newsletters

Scope and Content

An artificial collection of newspaper and magazines published by UMIST and its predecessor bodies, the UMIST Students Union and various departments and societies.The oldest magazine in the collection is The Journal of the Municipal School of Technology, Manchester, published from 1902 to the 1920s. An institution-wide journal does not appear to have been published again until Advance in the 1960s. The main students magazines were Technowledge, published from the mid-1950s until around 1970, and Grip, the Union newspaper published from the early 1980s until 2005.

The collection is an invaluable source of information about the academic activities of UMIST, particularly research work of departments and individual staff, the social, political and cultural activities of the student body, and initiatives such as fundraising, new buildings, and major events.

Administrative / Biographical History

A number of newspapers and magazines were published by the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology, and its predecessor bodies, the Manchester Municipal College (School) of Technology (1902-1956), and the Manchester College of Science and Technology (1956-1965). Some of these were issued centrally by the institution or by its departments to communicate official information and publicise news of important activities.

The UMIST Students Union also published newspapers and magazines, and these publications have been significant for transmitting and reflecting the opinions and beliefs of the student body. Magazines have also been produced for another constituency, the alumni.

These publications were mostly produced for the consumption of academic staff and University-level students; there is no evidence of a publication produced specifically by or for the large body of vocational students, who formed the majority of the student body until the 1950s. Staff and students within the Faculty of Technology would also have written for and read newspapers and magazines produced by the University of Manchester, and the University's Students Union.

Arrangement

The collection is subdivided into: College/University publications (TMP/1), Student publications (TMP/2) and alumni publications (TMP/3) as follows:

  • TMP/1/1 - The Journal of the Municipal School of Technology, Manchester
  • TMP/1/2 - Journal of the Municipal School of Technology Textile Society
  • TMP/1/3 - Advance
  • TMP/1/4 - UMIST Times
  • TMP/1/5 - Technology Senior Union Newsletter
  • TMP/1/6 - Research Focus
  • TMP/2/1 - Technowledge
  • TMP/2/2 - T.N.T.: the new Technowledge
  • TMP/2/3 - Grip
  • TMP/2/4 - Grip: Down and Out
  • TMP/2/5 - Gripling
  • TMP/3/1 - Mainstream

Access Information

The collection is open to any accredited reader.

Conditions Governing Use

Photocopies and photographic copies of material in the archive can be supplied for private study purposes only, depending on the condition of the documents.

A number of items within the archive remain within copyright under the terms of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988; it is the responsibility of users to obtain the copyright holder's permission for reproduction of copyright material for purposes other than research or private study.

Prior written permission must be obtained from the Library for publication or reproduction of any material within the archive. Please contact the Head of Special Collections, John Rylands University Library, 150 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 3EH.

Custodial History

This collection of newspapers and magazines was maintained at various sites at the former UMIST, including the Library and the Students Union, and was transferred to the University Archives between 2004-2008.

Accruals

Occasional accruals possible, including items currently missing from the collection.

Related Material

See also the similar collection of newspapers and magazines for the University of Manchester (UMP).

Geographical Names