Gertrude Bell and the evolution of the library tradition in Iraq.

Johnson, Ian M.

Abstract

This paper discusses Gertrude Bell's involvement in the foundation of the Baghdad Public Library and the Iraq Museum Library, shedding light on issues that have surrounded their creation and development. It identifies Muriel Jesse Forbes as the person who actually initiated the concept for the library that, as a result of Bell's energetic support, became the Baghdad Public Library and ultimately the National Library of Iraq. It also reviews Bell's commitment to the development of a library as part of the Iraq Museum, and outlines its growth into a major information resource on the history and archaeology of Iraq. Finally it considers the motives underlying the efforts of Bell and her contemporaries, and their impact on the subsequent development of library and archives services in Iraq.

Citation

JOHNSON, I.M. 2017. Gertrude Bell and the evolution of the library tradition in Iraq. In Collins, P. and Tripp, C. (eds.) Gertrude Bell and Iraq: a life and legacy. Proceedings of the British Academy, 205: proceedings of Gertrude Bell: a life and legacy, 11-13 September 2013, London, UK. Oxford: Oxford University Press [online], pages 257-271. Available from: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/gertrude-bell-and-iraq-9780197266076

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (published)
• Conference Name: Gertrude Bell: a life and legacy
• Start Date: Sep 11, 2013
• End Date: Sep 13, 2013
• Acceptance Date: Sep 11, 2013
• Online Publication Date: Apr 13, 2017
• Publication Date: Apr 13, 2017
• Deposit Date: May 23, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 14, 2019
• Electronic ISSN: 0068-1202
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Pages: 257-271
• Series Title: Proceedings of the British Academy
• Series Number: 205
• Series ISSN: 0068-1202
• ISBN: 9780197266076
• Keywords: Libraries; Museums; Iraq; Library and archives services
• Public URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10059/2333
• Publisher URL: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/gertrude-bell-and-iraq-9780197266076
• Contract Date: May 23, 2017