The College Library plays a central role in Girton’s academic life and achievements, while its Archive and its Special Collections enjoy an international reputation. Maintaining these collections, the fabric of the building, and a professional information service for our users is an expensive undertaking. Friends and Patrons of the Library provide vital help with the ‘value-added’ aspects that make Girton’s Library so special. Funds from the Friends have recently been used to provide additional books and IT resources for undergraduates, the cataloguing and conservation of archival papers, and the purchase of special book collections. Friends of the Library are invited to an annual summer event. In addition, Patrons are commemorated on special personalised book plates of an original design by Joan Hassall inserted in new library books to the value of the donation. Frances Gandy, President
FRIENDS OF PEOPLE’S PORTRAITS From the lifeboatmen of Fowey to a retired actor, people from different walks of life are captured on canvas in our unique People’s Portraits exhibition. The high calibre of the artists, all of whom are members of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, makes this one of the UK’s hidden jewels in the portraiture world. People’s Portraits is continually growing, thanks to the ongoing generosity of newly-elected members of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters who each donate a portrait to the collection. The Friends and Patrons of People’s Portraits are essential in providing the resources needed to promote the exhibition and assist with its maintenance. As a Friend you will be invited to an annual reception at which a new portrait will be officially unveiled. Patrons are also invited to an annual dinner. Those who donate over £1,000 have the chance to receive a personal postcard-sized drawing of themselves created by one of the artists from the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, though receipt of a drawing cancels the gift’s qualification for Gift Aid. Dr Alastair Reid, President
FRIENDS OF THE L AWRENCE ROOM The Lawrence Room collections offer a unique insight into College history. Hermione, our portrait mummy, is seen with archaeological finds from as close as the Roman and Anglo-Saxon cemetery on the College site and as distant as ancient Mesopotamia. With new showcases and layout and a complete electronic catalogue, shortly to go on-line, the collections are now available to the public and researchers alike and their reputation is growing fast. The generosity of Friends and Patrons of the Lawrence Room is vital in ensuring the environmental monitoring, conservation, ongoing curation and security of these expanding collections. Friends of the Lawrence Room receive an invitation to an annual event and may be commemorated in the Donors’ Book. Patrons are each year sent an illustrated card highlighting an object selected from the collection. Dr Dorothy Thompson, President
THE INFIDEL BOAT CLUB The Infidel Boat Club is Girton’s alumni boat club. The Club supports the Girton College Boat Club and promotes rowing within the College and beyond. Founded in 2001, the Club has enabled more than 40 alumni to get out on the water. The Club organises rowing and social events in Cambridge, London and beyond. Details can be found at: www.theinfidel.co.uk. Funds raised through subscriptions ensure that the Club is able to offer rowing and social activities to alumni, but its overarching aim is to strengthen links between alumni and current Girton students, and to assist in the development of GCBC. Members receive news by email of forthcoming events and activities. Patrons, who donate £200 or more, may, if they wish, have their contribution acknowledged in rowing programmes. For the President of the Infidel Boat Club