Subsystems Publications Project

The History of Psychology Centre’s partial collection of member network (subsystem) publications was merged in 2006 with the Society’s official library collection at Senate House Library, University of London to create a single, more complete, collection.

At the same time we began a project - the Subsystems Publications Project - to try to create a definitive list of every member network periodical publication. This was necessary because to gather a complete collection by filling the gaps we needed to identify exactly what had been published before we could work out where the gaps were. Unfortunately, no central record had been kept, and the publishing histories of many titles were not at all straightforward.

We have since gathered a lot of new information from members and member networks through researching in online databases and rummaging in dark and forgotten corners of the Leicester office for back numbers. From this, we have created a more complete list, and we are at the stage we can more clearly see what is missing from our official library collection. (We are still looking for more information on publications - see 'What we need to know' below.)

For some subsystems we have complete collections, but many gaps remain; we are now seeking to fill those gaps.

What we need to know

To create a definitive list of member network publications we need the exact title, date first appeared, date discontinued, numbering system, any anomalies (e.g. varying parts per volume), frequency, title changes, etc.; in short, anything that is useful to be able to say precisely what has been published under each title. Each issue of unnumbered but dated newsletters would, for example, need to be listed, since there may be the odd month or year when none appeared.

Our current Subsytem Periodicals List gives what information we have about series and frequency of all the publications we know about. Some of this information is missing, patchy, inconsistent or otherwise inadequate for determining a complete list of everything ever published. Member networks and titles for which we have incomplete data are highlighted. We will be grateful for any information about titles or series/frequency that will help us build a complete definitive list. There may even be publications that have come and gone and that are unrecorded on our list. For inclusion in the list, publications should be in one of the following categories:

• periodicals (whether numbered by issue or by volume/part)
• newsletters (or similar) either numbered or unnumbered but dated
• other items (e.g. occasional papers) in numbered series
• other unnumbered but dated publications regularly (or sporadically) published as a part of a series

If you have any further information on publications or missing copies you would like to donate, please contact us.