Alternative Arrangements
Rebuilding the Collection
Since its inception in 1966 the AI Library has grown to become a
world-class library. It has one of the largest collections of literature
on artificial intelligence in Europe, covering the complete history of
artificial intelligence. The Librarian, Olga Franks, who has worked
in the AI Library for 16 years, provides services to the academic
community of the University of Edinburgh and to the industrial
clients of the AI Applications Institute, and to many visitors. The
library houses special collections of books, journals and has a
particularly complete collection of research reports on artificial
intelligence and related topics, including general artificial
intelligence, expert systems and their applications, logic
programming, mathematical reasoning, natural language
processing, robotics, vision.
This unique collection was devastated in the fire of 7th
December. Plans are being made to rebuild the collection.
A message from our librarian, Olga Franks
I should like to thank all collegues and students for their many
messages of concern and support following the fire that consumed
so much of the AI Library. You will be relieved to hear that
some early archival material such as DCL memos, EPU, DAI research
papers, MSc theses from 1984 to 1998, early PhD theses as well
as some general reports which were not on regular display
thankfully survived in an unaffected area and were removed
yesterday to temporary accommodation in the closed access area
of the Main Library. They will be available for loan shortly
on request.
Regretfully, all books, journals and reports from other AI centres
such as MIT, Stanford, CMU etc have been lost. Several staff and
graduates have offered personal books and other material to
contribute towards the re-establishment of the collection. We are
most grateful and encouraged by this generosity which strengthenes
our optimism at such a difficult time.
I have been authorised to commence re-ordering appropriate material
immediately, and would appreciate receiving from staff the full
details of all texts recommended for AI modules at their earliest
opportunity.
Thank you very much for your help.
Olga
