The CLG’s March 2025 visit was to the library of the Scott Polar Research Institute, which supports multidisciplinary research and focuses on the polar regions. We began our tour with a general introduction in the Friends’ Room, home to the ship bell from the Terra Nova expedition to Antarctica of 1910-13 which is rung once a day to signal teatime, before splitting into two groups.
Our next stop was special collections. A variety of rare books and archival documents had been laid out for us to see in a reading room, including a copy of the ‘South Polar Times Volume III’, bound in wood and Weddell Seal skin, which was apparently in better condition than other seal skin-bound items; a copy of ‘British Antarctic Expedition 1907-09’, the first book published in the Antarctic, which was presented to Emily Shackleton and bound in a ‘Butter’ packing case; a first edition of ‘Antarctic Adventure, Scott’s Northern Party’ by Raymond E. Priestley, which contains a colourful child’s drawing of flowers inside the front cover, believed to be by Robert Falcon Scott’s son, the noted naturalist Sir Peter Scott ; and a book by John Franklin on his expeditions to the shores of the polar sea, which went so badly wrong that his men ate lichen and boot leather to ward off starvation. Shackleton’s last diary was among the collection, only filled out to the 4th January, as he died that night. The diary’s last line, an observation that he had seen a lone star in the twilight, was apparently much more poetic than his usual style. The Archivist gave a thorough explanation of each item, then left us to browse the collection of items from both successful expeditions and perilous failures. All the items were in excellent condition, especially considering that they had been kept in freezing temperatures, and the staff set each one out with book cushions and book snakes to keep them well preserved.
We were then given a tour of the main library. It has a large collection, ranging from scientific material to fiction books, children’s literature, and journals, the latter of which were presented on a regularly updated display. Multiple languages were represented in both adult and children’s materials. The polar region theme of the books was complimented by the various model ships and busts of famous explorers. More books were to be found in the rotunda, a circular tower that contained rounded shelves, a quiet study space overlooking Cambridge, and locked cases full of rare books – visible to readers but unable to be idly browsed through. Many of the materials were clearly organised by region, and as none of them can leave the library, there was no need for a check-out desk. Readers had plenty of books to browse, spaces to study, and artefacts for inspiration. There was also a display celebrating the 134th year of Crufts in a glass display, due to dogs often being used as transportation and protection in the Arctic and Antarctic.
