Betty Smithers Design Collection

The emphasis here is on the 20th century, on garments made from synthetic fabrics and on teenage fashion. There is, for example, a skirt from one of Marks and Spencer's first ranges of pleated terylene, a "wet look" bikini, a group of Utility garments and bed-linen, and outfits by Biba and Mary Quant.

This collection includes catalogues and literature put out by firms as diverse as Asda, Dulux and Harrods, as well as examples of packaging and customised carrier bags for Woolworths, Mary Quant and Camel cigarettes amongst others.

These are small scale examples of industrial design, usually for domestic or office use. There are radios, vacuum cleaners, razors, cameras, hairdriers, a device for heating rollers for the 1930s "Marcelle wave" type of perm, typewriters and adding machines, bakelite electrical fittings, a gas iron (pictured) and a Pel Chair with tubular steel frame dating from the 1940s.

This is a small but interesting collection of objects made from all sorts of different plastics, from a casein photograph frame to a British Rail coffee cup.

This collection specialises in "down market" women's and teenage magazines like Woman's Own, Family Circle, Jackie, Blue Jeans and 19 which are not found in most library collections. The collection of fashion magazines is of particular interest, and includes items from the late 19th century to the present day, with the period of 1910 - 1920 being especially well covered.

There are many other periodicals too, like a group of 1940s copies of Wireless World, Picture Post, 1950s and 1960s motor magazines, 60s and 70s underground magazines such as Oz and feminist magazine, Spare Rib and near complete runs of Sunday Times, Observer and Independent colour supplements.