University of Manchester Cuttings Collection

The cuttings collections contains two district parts: cuttings books (CCU/1) which run continuously from 1853 to 1987, and copies of News Digest from 1973 to 2011 (many issues are missing for the period up to the 1980s).

The cuttings books comprise a very extensive collection of newspaper cuttings relating to the University. In particular, these records major events and activities at the University including building openings and degree ceremonies, appointments of staff, staff obituaries, and in some of the later volumes, feature articles about research activities and student life. Nearly all of the material is sourced from newspapers rather than magazines, and from non-University publications. Occasionally, volumes may contain other documents such as printed ephemera, photographs and in later years copies of degree ceremony programmes.

Most cuttings were taken from local newspapers, particularly the Manchester Guardian, and to a lesser extent, Manchester Evening News and Manchester City News. As the provincial press declines, there was a greater emphasis on national newspapers in the latter decades of the 20th century.

CCU/2 comprises copies of press cuttings issued by the Public Relations Office on a regular basis from 1973. Gradually these superseded the cuttings volumes. From March 1999, the digest of cuttings was known as News Digest; the last issue of this cam out in February 2011.

As well as being a valuable source of information about University activities and personalities, the cuttings collection can provide interesting information about how the University was reported in the local and national press over time, and the items selected for inclusion in the collection can provide some insight on information and issues which the University considered important in its representations to external audiences.

Former references: UA/10/1-3.

Since 1853, the University systematically collected newspaper cuttings about its activities. Until the late 20th century, University administrators compiled cuttings books., and in the 1970s, cuttings were copied and then issued to staff in a magazine called News Digest; this continued publication in hard-copy format until 2011.

Arranged in two series:

• CCU/1 - Cuttings books
• CCU/2 - News Digest

The collection is open to any accredited reader.

Transferred by the Registrar's Department and Public Relations Office from the 1970s onwards.

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 Library, 150 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 3EH.

None expected.

See also Vice-Chancellor's press cuttings books, VCA/1, which cover the period 1904-1971.