Tour #2 Libraries Australia Forum 2008

Wednesday 22 October 2008

1 pm to 4.30 pm

Meet at 12.50 pm in the Foyer of the Macquarie Street Wing to meet Group tour host, and the State Library of NSW tour guide.
1.00-2.00 State Library of NSW (Macquarie Street)
2.10-3.00 Australian Museum, Research Library (Cnr College St. and William Street)
3.10-4.30 Art Gallery of NSW, Research Library and Archives (Art Gallery Road)

Libraries to be visited

Venue 1: State Library of NSW, Macquarie Street, Sydney
12:50pm: Assemble in the Foyer of the Macquarie Street Wing to meet Group tour host, and the State Library of NSW tour guide.

The State Library of New South Wales is internationally renowned and one of Australia's leading libraries. The Library houses and hosts extensive collections and exhibitions, as well as talks, tours and movies. To this end, the Library holds over 5 million items and aims to collect, preserve and make accessible the documentary heritage of NSW. Where else, for example, would you find Abel Tasman's journal of 1643-1647 and the earliest known photograph taken in Australia, the 1845 daguerreotype of Dr William Bland?

The tour host will accompany the group to the next venue.

Venue 2: Australian Museum, Research Library
2.10pm Meet in the William Street Foyer
Security clearance will be arranged prior to the tour

The Research Library holds one of the finest natural history collections in Australia. Dating from 1836, the Research Library has developed comprehensive and specialised collections in the areas of vertebrate and invertebrate zoology and taxonomy, anthropology, earth and environmental sciences, materials science and museology.

The tour host will accompany the group to the next venue.

Venue 3: Art Gallery of NSW, Research Library and Archives
3.10pm: Meet near the Art Gallery enquiry desk
The Group will enjoy afternoon tea at this venue

The Art Gallery of New South Wales Research Library and Archive collection dates from the foundation of the New South Wales Academy of Art in 1871. Established as a resource for the professional staff of the Gallery, the Library is used to research works of art in the collection and proposed acquisitions, to prepare for exhibitions and educational activities, and to answer public enquiries. As a consequence the Library reflects the strengths of the Gallery's collection, with an historical emphasis on Australian and British art. Extensive collections of contemporary art, Asian art and photography have been acquired in recent years. Since it opened to the public in 1988 its valuable collections have been used by art scholars and curators, artists, art dealers, the media, students and the public.

At the conclusion of the Tour, the group will be able to enjoy Art After Hours until 9pm.