Ways into the Collection: The 'Human Interface': Reading Race, Collecting Cultures - Research Skills Series

The Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Race Relations Resource Centre (AIU Centre) is an open access University of Manchester facility which is both public and academic facing. The Research Skills Series of blog posts is designed to promote insight into how the Centre's collections can enrich the work of students and researchers. The blog post 'Ways into the Collection: The 'Human Interface' ' is the third of four 'Ways into the Collection' pieces. It explains how the 'way into' the AIU Centre's collections can be smoothed by discussing research/study needs with the individuals whose role is to take care of the collection, answer questions from users, find information and give advice regarding materials in the library/archive. At the time of writing, the Centre's two 'Human Interfaces' are Hannah Niblett (Collections Access Officer) and Ruth Tait (Senior Library Assistant). The experience they bring to their respective roles is described. Ruth Tait is the main 'Human Interface' users of the Centre will encounter, and her special insights into the strengths of the Centre and its collections are provided, along with her advice on how best to prepare for consulting the Centre's 'Human Interfaces'. Other 'Ways into the Collection' pieces cover: Questions to ask yourself; Databases; Serendipity.