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Geoffrey Bolton's speech at the launch of the National Library's 100th Anniversary Program JUNE 2001
Centenary Exhibition at Parliament House
2 June
22 August 2001 The National Library began its journey in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Library in Melbourne. This exhibition, which opens on 2 June 2001 in the Presiding Officer's Gallery at Parliament House, traces the growth of the National Library out of the Parliamentary Library to become one of Australia's pre-eminent collecting institutions. The exhibition will feature a range of collection materials, illustrating the extraordinary development of the Library's collections and key moments in its history. Spotlight Talk: Navigating the National Library Web Site Wednesday 6 June, 12.30 pm Come and hear how the Library's web site can be unravelled to find the treasures it contains and the many links to other useful web sites. Friends Event Tuesday 12 June, 12.30 pm Bookings recommended: (02) 6262 1698 Spotlight Talk: The Banksias Series with Celia Rosser Wednesday 13 June, 12.30 pm Celia
Rosser was commissioned to visually document the genus Banksia by Monash
University. This is a special opportunity to meet the artist and hear about the
works in a special preview talk before the exhibition, The Banksias:
Watercolours by Celia Rosser from the Monash University Collection, officially
opens on 14 June. Friends Event Saturday 16 June, 2.00 pm The
culmination of a 25-year project for Monash University, this exhibition is a
must for lovers of exquisite botanical art and one of Australia's most admired
native flowers. Join the Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney for an
exclusive talk by the artist, who will be in Canberra for a short time
following the opening of the exhibition. Spotlight Talk: Picture Australia Project Wednesday 20 June, 12.30 pm Find
out how to use Picture Australia, the new web service hosted by the National
Library of Australia. You can obtain access to many pictorial collections from
the one search screen-bringing Australia's pictorial heritage together and to
your fingertips. A
Novel Idea! Film Series Thursday 21 June, 6.00 pm A
classic favourite-Cary Grant plays an absent-minded anthropologist who finds
his ordered life turned upside down by an encounter with an anarchic heiress
played by Katherine Hepburn. Independent Scholars Association of Australia Event Thursday 21 June, 5.30-7.00 pm Dr McKernan, first holder of the Frederick Watson Fellowship at the National Archives of Australia, author and historian, will talk about Australian POWs after 1945.
Tuesday 26 June, 4.30 pm A
special talk for teachers on The Banksias: Watercolours by Celia Rosser from
the Monash University Collection exhibition. This is your opportunity to meet
the National Library's Education Manager and find out how you can utilise the
National Library's school tours and talks for your class. This special viewing
will also include a curatorial talk in the Exhibition Gallery and
refreshments. Spotlight Talk: For the People and Parliament: Commonwealth Parliamentary Library-National Library of Australia 1901-2001 Wednesday 27 June, 12.30 pm Find out about the shared history of the National Library of Australia and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Library through the story of their first 100 years. Spotlight Talk: United States of America Independence Day-The National Library Connection Wednesday 4 July, 12.30 pm The
National Library has an extensive collection of American material, especially
in such subject areas as government, politics, law, economics, history, and
international relations. Dr Bruce Kent will talk about his use of the Library's
collections for his research on the origins of the Cold War. Friends Event: Friends Midwinter Lecture and Dinner Friday
13 July, 6.30 pm The
lecture before dinner will be delivered this year by James Fitzpatrick, Young
Australian of the Year 2001. James, a fourth-year medical student, will speak
about rural health in Australia and his vision for the future. Spotlight Talk: The History of Botanical Illustration with Helen Hewson Wednesday 18 July, 12.30 pm Helen
Hewson, an Associate of the Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, will speak
about the history of botanical art and Celia Rosser's work. This talk is held
in conjunction with The Banksias: Watercolours by Celia Rosser from the Monash
University Collection exhibition. Spotlight Talk: Banksias with John Nightingale Wednesday 25 July, 12.30 pm Join John Nightingale, curator of Living Collections at the Australian National Botanic Gardens, and learn more about banksias. This talk is held in conjunction with The Banksias: Watercolours by Celia Rosser from the Monash University Collection exhibition. AUGUST 2001
Belonging: A Century Celebrated 22 August11 November 2001Developed by the National Archives of Australia, the National Library of Australia, the State Library of New South Wales and the State Library of Victoria, Belongingtells the story of a century of nationhood by drawing on the magnificent documentary heritage collections of four of Australia's most prominent cultural institutions. Exploring our sense of self and place since Federation, the exhibition invites us to think about what it means to 'belong' and 'not belong' in Australia. While in Canberra, the exhibition will be presented in two venues: the National Library of Australia and the National Archives of Australia. Between the Sheets: A Century of Australian Music 22 August11 November 2001 From music hall, through two World Wars, radio and television and the Internet, music has touched the lives of generations of Australians. This exhibition, highlighting the Library's largely unknown but fascinating music collection, will feature sheet music and ephemera, film footage and recordings of songsfrom the songs of Federation to the anthems of rock music. A diverse public program of performances, film screenings and talks will be staged to accompany the exhibition. Spotlight Talk: Help for Family Researchers in the General Collections of the National Library Wednesday 1 August, 12.30 pm There
is a large collection of material of genealogical interest in the general
collections of the Library. Come and find out what is available in books,
journals and electronically. Spotlight Talk: Finding the Irish in the National Library Wednesday 8 August, 12.30 pm Cheryl
Mongan, an author and historical researcher, has used the resources of the
Library, and in particular material held in the microform collection, for her
research on the Irish in Australia. Friends Event: Kenneth Myer Lecture: Professor Peter Doherty Wednesday 8 August, 6.00 pm This
prestigious lecture, named for Kenneth Baillieu Myer AC, Chairman of the
National Library from 1974 to 1982, will be delivered this year by the noted
Australian immunologist and Nobel Prize winner, Professor Peter Doherty. The
Library sees the lecture as an occasion for a statement 'of some significance'
about aspects of Australian endeavour. Organised by the Friends of the National
Library, the lecture will be followed by a reception. Spotlight Talk: Help for Family Researchers in the Reference Collections of the National Library Wednesday 15 August, 12.30 pm There
are many new reference resources available of interest to the genealogist and
family historian. Staff from the Library's Information Services will show you
what is available and how easy it is to access these resources. A Novel Idea! Film Series The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957) Affected by radiation, a family man in suburbia begins to shrink so
that the safe, comforting aspects of home become ever more menacing. A classic
of 1950s sci-fi. Spotlight Talk: Writing for Children Wednesday 22 August, 12.30 pm In
celebration of Children's Book Week, come to the Library and hear about writing
for children in Australia. Bunyips: Australia's Folklore of Fear by Robert Holden Thursday 23 August, 5.30 pm Robert
Holden, author and curator, will speak about his recently published book,
Bunyips: Australia's Folklore of Fear (National Library of Australia, 2001).
This is an opportunity to meet the author and hear about the process of writing
about one of Australia's most elusive mythical creatures, the bunyip. Light
refreshments will be served. Independent Scholars Association of Australia Event Thursday 23 August, 5.30-7.00 pm There
seem to have been two Wallaces. One was the biogeographer, the man who
enunciated evolution by natural selection before Darwin did. The other was a
crank (his word) who dismayed contemporary scientists. Dr Cowan will explain
why he believes that the two are one. One-Day Festival Saturday 25 August, 10.00 am - 4.00 pm Hosted
by the Word Festival Canberra in association with the Friends of the National
Library, this year's seminar will concentrate on the theme of Belonging, to
complement the Federation exhibition of that name. Join some of Canberra's most
interesting writers to discuss what it means to 'belong'. Children's Performance Wednesday 29 August, 10.00 am and 1.30 pm Alex
Hood has entertained generations of Australians with his exciting and fun
children's shows. Alex will give two performances only. Be sure to book
early! Spotlight Talk: A Sense of Belonging with Roslyn Russell Wednesday 29 August, 12.30 pm Explore the Belonging exhibition with curator, Roslyn Russell. This exhibition, developed for the Centenary of Federation by the National Archives of Australia, the National Library of Australia, and the State Libraries of New South Wales and Victoria, tells the story of a century of nationhood and what it means to be Australian.
The National Library Open Day Sunday, 23 September Help us celebrate our 100th birthday at the National Library's Open Day. Find out why the National Library is so much more than books. Explore the stacks area where more than four million books and objects are held. Meet Charlieour robotic book trolleyon our Behind-the-Scenes tours. Find out how our Preservation Section ensures the long life of our many treasures. Take a look at our family genealogy services and join us for a day of celebration. The Secret Self: Exploring Biography and Autobiography 19-20 October A major National Library conference, The Secret Self will provide an insight into the worlds of biography and autobiography. Some of Australia's most intriguing authors will be invited to reveal the fascinating role of biography in re-inventing the private as public, uncovering family mystery, examining the role of memory and revealing the use of biography, memoir and journalism in capturing political life. Treasures from the World's Great LibrariesThe Exhibition Opening 7 December 2001 The National Library is the home of many of Australia's greatest treasures, such as the Endeavour journal of Captain James Cook. In 2001, the world's major libraries will help us celebrate our anniversary through the exhibition Treasures from the World's Great Libraries. Treasures from the World's Great Libraries is the first exhibition of its kind and will be the cultural highlight on Australia's 20012002 calendar of events. Libraries, such as the British Library, the National Library of China, the Library of Congress and the Jewish National University and Library, are lending some of their most precious items and objects to join our ownbringing together for the first time in history the wonders of human culture, endeavour and learning.
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