John L Noyce Archive

The archive contains assorted publications and papers relating to John L Noyce and his company, Smoothie Publications. These include publications, financial records, administrative papers, layouts for the publications and a collection of books and magazines belonging to Noyce.

In 1968 John Noyce was appointed West Sussex County Library Assistant, but resigned in 1972 following the publication of the first issue of Librarians for Social Change (LfSC). He then became a publisher and freelance librarian. From 1973 to 1977 he read history at The University of Sussex, and spent a gap year from 1975 to 1976 working at Release, West London. In 1977 he began working as an information officer for various 3W Charities and spent a brief period working for Greater London Council funded alternative energy centres. Noyce emigrated to Australia in 1986, and took work as a casual librarian and records worker. During the early 1990's he studied for an MLib and MA in Development Studies at Monash University.

John Noyce is currently (2002) still involved with publishing. His main publication interests are bibliographically based and lately with a special inclination towards Asian Studies and Development Studies. He also writes articles on bhakti saints with particular emphasis on the Sahaja tradition of India.

In 1970, whilst he was at college, John Noyce set up Smoothie Publications. John Noyce solely conducted the business. The first titles to be published by Smoothie Publications included The Directory of Alternative Media and some random poetry. LfSC was a Smoothie Publication and was first published in 1972. The magazine was set up to further his views on social change. He believed that librarians should not follow the status quo, that a new publication was needed to include the fringe subjects, and that a new organisation was needed for the radical end of the profession. Noyce attracted a band of followers, including Richard Alexander and John Lindsay, to his efforts. This led to several LfSC conferences. In 1985, LfSC changed its name to Social Change and Information Systems. This was in accordance with changes to the issues that they had originally campaigned for. John Noyce took Social Change and Information Systems with him to Australia. The publication is still being published today.

The original order of the fonds has been maintained as far as possible and the archive has been arranged into six sub-fonds reflecting the major activities of the creator.

General access, but recording of users' names at request of depositor. The Data Protection Act 1998 applies to the Administrative Files (JLN/A) as this contains personal information. All research must therefore be anonymised. The papers may be consulted through application by e-mail to: archives@aber.ac.uk or by post to: Aberystwyth University, Archives, Information Services, Llandinam Building, Penglais, Aberystwyth, SY23 3DB. Tel: 01970 628593.

Deposited by John L Noyce.

This archive is held at the Thomas Parry Library, University of Wales, Aberystwyth.

Description compiled by the University of Wales Aberystwyth, Department of Information and Library Studies, MScEcon in Archive Administration students, 2001-2002, and Rhian Phillips, Archives Hub project archivist with reference to various issues of The Library Association Yearbook, (London: Library Association), and through correspondence with John L Noyce.

Basic finding aid available on request from Archives staff.

Usual copyright regulations apply to published material. Permission from depositor is required for all other material.

John Noyce held the archive until 1986 when he deposited it at the Thomas Parry Library, University of Wales, Aberystwyth.

Possible future accruals from John L Noyce.

Librarians for Social Change is available at the Thomas Parry Library.