Key milestones in the development of the National Brewing Library

26 March 2001 The Institute & Guild of Brewing issue a prospectus,  seeking a partner to accept their library on a permanent loan basis and to manage it jointly.

July 2001 Oxford Brookes University issue their proposal, noting the international reputation for excellence in brewing research and dissemination of technical information held by the Brewing Research Group of the School of Biological and Molecular Sciences. Additionally, that the brewing library would complement other special collections already held in the University Library, in particular the John Fuller Collection of 7000 books and pamphlets on all aspects of hospitality, gastronomy, catering and cookery.

11 December 2001 The Council of the Institute and Guild of Brewing confirm acceptance of Oxford Brookes University's proposal.

January 2002  Boxes of books from the Whitbread Library and the British Beer and Pub Association have already arrived.

6 March 2002  More than 100 boxes containing the Institute of Brewing Technical and Historical Library (which has been in non-accessible storage since 18 August 2000) are delivered.

09 April 2002 The first formal meeting of the joint management  committee is held with an initial remit of agreeing a name for the collection and drafting the legal agreement between the two partner institutions.

Spring 2002 Boxes are unpacked, books and journals are sorted, and duplicates are identified for return to the Institute and Guild of Brewing Library and Archive Group for sale or disposal.

2 July 2002 Cataloguing begins. By the end of November more than 3,600 books and pamphlets will have been fully catalogued.

16 July 2002  A press release is issued by the Public Relation Office at  Oxford Brookes University announcing the establishment of the collection and confirming the name as "The National Brewing Library at Oxford Brookes University".

10 December 2002   The National Brewing Library is officially opened by Dr John Andrews, President of The Institute and Guild of  Brewing and Professor Graham Upton, Vice Chancellor,  Oxford Brookes University. This event will coincide with an IGB meetings day and Fellows Dinner, hosted by Oxford Brookes University.

December 2002  The catalogue of the National Brewing Library will become  available, with links from Oxford Brookes University Library homepage, The Institute and Guild of Brewing homepage, and the British Beer and Pub Association homepage.

6 January 2003      The National Brewing Library is open to Members of the Institute and Guild of Brewing, Oxford Brookes University and bona fide researchers and scholars. (Access details)

Spring 2003   The National Brewing Library website launched.

September 2003 The collection is moved into new secure accommodation, linked to the John Fuller Collection.

6 May 2004 The National Brewing Library Management Committee agree the new Scope of the Collection and Aquisitions Policy

September 2005 Oxford Brookes University opens the Buckley Building - the new centre for research. One floor of this, attached to the Library, forms the new Special Collections Reading Room. The National Brewing Library, along with other special collections, is moved into this purpose built accommodation which provides controlled temperature and humidity, secure conditions and appropriate working areas both for Library staff and visitors.

January 2006 A programme of conservation and protection of the older and more vulnerable books begins.