Imagine being able to have behind-the-scenes tours and state-of-the-art lectures in the storied British archives and library collections. In June, 14 SC&I Master of Information students and two alumni taking the hybrid summer course British Collections and Archives enjoyed this rare opportunity during a10-day trip to Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Wroxton College in England, near Oxford.

Taught by SC&I Professor of Library and Information Science Marie L. Radford, the trip provided an unparalleled experience for American students, Radford said, because of the rich history of Britain’s collections, which predate American archives and libraries by hundreds of years. Also, while U.S. archives tend to be less accessible, in England, students can see and touch well-preserved manuscripts, books, maps, and illustrations that date back as far as the 1300s.

“It was a great pleasure to lead this year’s British Collections and Archives course,” Radford said. “Every year we work hard to improve the program of visits and speakers, and the course keeps getting better. This year’s group of students, and, for the first time, two alumni, was exceptionally smart, engaged, and motivated to learn all about British culture, history, libraries, and archives. I want to give shout outs to Dr. Rebecca Reynolds, our LIS Department Chair, and Dr. Lilia Pavlovsky, our MI Director, who both have supported this class in providing scholarships for the students and help in spreading the word, which helps in recruiting efforts.  Also, Dr. Pavlovsky joined the group in England this year, helping immensely with every aspect of planning and on-ground logistics.”   

In addition to visiting a variety of archives and libraries, the students attended lectures held in classrooms at Wroxton College. Radford invited British archival experts, historians, and library scholars to lead classes as guest speakers.

The trip also included trips to libraries and archives in Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon, London, Kew Gardens (home of England’s National Archives), and Bletchley Park (where the codebreakers worked in World War II, featured in the movie “Imitation Game”) were just some of the amazing places students visited on this trip.

Although academic work was the focus of the week, Radford said the students had opportunities for free time and to have fun. The students spent an unscheduled day in London to visit iconic tourist spots (like the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, or Buckingham Palace), museums, gardens, and historic sites.  

“In terms of the academic side of things, the lecturers were all excellent and it was an amazing opportunity to see a lot of British history (from the Middle Ages to the present) up close,” said Siobhan Hickey MI’25.  “Visiting Bletchley Park was a major highlight for me and something that I would highly recommend not only to library-track students but others doing work with data and information. One of the best parts of the trip for me, though, was the absolutely gorgeous countryside around Wroxton. It was a really peaceful environment and great for people who love to hike and ramble.”

Living in England meant experiencing British traditions, like tea-time, which was held at Wroxton twice a day. Around 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., coffee, tea, and pastries were served. Radford and the students stayed in private college dorm room with access to the usual university facilities of a library, classrooms, recreational space, and, of course, wi-fi.

A Medieval banquet was a highlight of the week, when students (and faculty!) attended the dinner dressed in costumes and enjoyed traditional English medieval music, stories, and dinner together with very limited access to silverware.

“This course provided students with an immersive cultural experience they will never forget. The course was very fast-paced for everyone, with all the coach trips and visits, lectures, and opportunities to explore the archives at Wroxton.  What is now Wroxton College was once the residence of Lord North, who was the British Prime Minister during the American Revolutionary War. The stately college buildings are of historic importance, and living there is like stepping back in time, with beautiful grounds set in the English village of Wroxton complete with thatched cottages.  We all had a great time, and the student evaluations have been exceedingly positive about their learning adventure, which is what it is all about,” Radford said.

Learn more about the Master of Information at the Rutgers School of Communication and Information on the website.

Photos: Courtesy of Marie L. Radford