Local history titles go online

Local history research will not have to be done at the library

Bath Central Library has won a £50,000 grant to make its local history collection available on the internet.

The award from the Heritage Lottery Fund will enable researchers to search a list of the 10,000 books in museum¿s collection online.

David Moger, Libraries Information and Resource Manager, said: "We have some 50,000 items in the local history collection - these include books, pamphlets, letters and photographs all relating to the history of Bath.

Until the index became available online anyone wanting to get information from the collection had to look through a vast card index and know specific details about the book they were searching for such as the author.

The titles will be available on the Foursite website, which offers users access to the combined catalogues of libraries in Bath & North East Somerset, North Somerset, Somerset, and South Gloucestershire.

"The project is also an opportunity to examine every item in the collection and assess its condition," added Mr Moger.

"Conservation will be undertaken as necessary to help preserve the material for future generations."