World Malaria Day 2012 in the Library and the Archives

By rachaelegan on April 26, 2012 • ( 0 )

World Malaria Day is celebrated on the 25th April every year to commemorate the fight against this deadly disease. The theme for World Malaria Day 2012 is ‘Sustain Gains, Save Lives: Invest in Malaria’ with the focus being the importance of investment in resources that will continue the research into, and the prevention of, the still wide-spread problem.

To mark World Malaria Day 2012, a poster display was launched in the Am Fosglan room in the entrance to the University of Glasgow main Library yesterday: the first exhibition to be held in the Library’s new display area. The display will be up until the end of June.

To compliment the display we have searched our collections for records that give us an insight into the study of malaria in the past and the effects the disease has had.

Reception Case display

We have come across many former students of the University of Glasgow who went on to write theses about malaria, those who studied the disease during their lives and those who strove to combat its causes and effects. Many of these important figures are represented in our archive by their personal collections as well as their student records. (You can find out more about the alumni, and others who contributed to the study of malaria, on our University Story Website)

James Campbell MacKillop's malaria notebook (DC367/2/1)

We also found sources out with the student collections, in the business archive, that illustrate the effects of malaria on our ancestors.

Malariologist, Robert Charles Muirhead Thomson, examining mosquito larvae (UGC27/2/2)

These documents are now on show in the GUAS reception case in the Thurso Street searchroom.

There is also an online exhibition, as well as images of the Library’s posters in Flickr, to mark the occasion and all these events help chart the University’s connections to the study and fight against the deadly disease.

By looking back at the history of the study of malaria and celebrating the achievements of those before us, we hope to encourage the continued campaign to control, prevent, and treat the disease.

Do come and visit the exhibitions and find out about the past, present and future of malaria control!