ANNUAL APPEAL to benefit the Institute of Historical Research

From the Membership Secretary

Prof. Paul Hammer/AFIHR
Department of History
University of Colorado
234 UCB
Boulder, CO 80309-0234

• Please consider making an annual tax-deductible (U.S.A.) contribution for the benefit of the Institute of Historical Research.
• An annual contribution of $45.00 or more provides standing as a regular individual member of the Institute to U.S.-resident donors ($30.00 for graduate students).
  • Additionally, only for American Friends of the IHR, an additional $30.00 option allows members to opt for full access to the rich array of resources of the IHR's British History Online (as explained on the contribution form).
  • As explained below, again only for American Friends, a further $55 gives a member personal access to Royal Historical Society’s Bibliography of British and Irish History
• Checks and forms should be returned to Prof. Hammer (use address on tax deductible contribution form) in order to maintain an updated list of contributors and addresses (checks will be sent on to our treasurer).

From the President of the AFIHR

President's Report to the Membership

July 2012

Sears McGee
President, AFIHR,
Department of History,
University of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9410

Previous Reports

I regret that this newsletter is now a month later than usual, but I wanted to be able to report to you from London about how the IHR is coping with its temporary location in the south block of the Senate House while the refurbishment proceeds just to the north. Last week I spent an afternoon tracking down information for my current book project, and I’m pleased to report that the library continues to work well. The British Library is, of course, indispensable, but the availability of basic printed sources, reference materials, periodicals and monographs on the open shelves at the IHR makes one’s work much more efficient for so many purposes. I attended a packed seminar of the Tudor-Stuart seminar last week, so that side of the operation appears to be thriving as well. The plans for the “new” IHR that is scheduled to open in 2013 are exciting and can be seen on the IHR website (see current and future status at IHR Relocation site). You will be pleased to know that the tearoom will be back in its customary space alongside new meeting and teaching rooms, more space for academic and research staff, and many improvements for the library. And if you have not yet had a look at “The History Spot” (History SPOT - Seminar Podcasts and Online Training)for its podcasts of many of the seminars and lectures at the IHR, you have a treat awaiting you.

I am delighted to announce that, thanks to Professor Miles Taylor, the IHR’s director, and his staff, we are now able to offer a new benefit that will be helpful for many members of the AFIHR. It was a worrying development when the Royal Historical Society’s Bibliography of British and Irish History became a proprietary service under the aegis of Brepols Publishing not long ago. Many college and university libraries have been unable to afford institutional subscriptions to BBIH since then, and annual subscriptions for individuals are now pegged at $171. Beginning January 1, 2013, however, AFIHR members can have annual subscriptions for $55, a savings of approximately two-thirds. If you wish to take advantage of this opportunity, please note that subscriptions are for the calendar year that begins January 1 and that the IHR needs to provide Brepols a list of AFIHR members who have opted to buy the subscription by mid-November. If you know of anyone who might find this extraordinary resource useful, please pass along this newsletter (or direct them to our online contribution form (just fill in, print, and mail with the appropriate check).

Please renew your membership in the AFIHR so we can continue to support the work of the IHR from this side of the Atlantic. More information is available elsewhere on this website. A contribution $45 or more annually to the American Friends of the IHR ($30 for graduate students) confers membership in the Institute and facilitates the creation or updating of a personal "swipe" card at the reception desk. All officers and board members of the AFIHR serve without compensation. Administrative costs are minimal, consisting of mailing expenses, occasional technical services, and accounting fees. Therefore nearly every dollar contributed is forwarded to the Institute in order to help pay for some aspect of its work. Checks are to be sent to Professor Paul Hammer (above), so that he can keep our membership list up to date. Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely yours,

Sears McGee