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ISSN 1039-3498 | no. 45 | June 2000


Richard Stone

Richard
Stone
retires

LIBRARIAN
LEAVES
LASTING
LEGACY

One of the National Library’s most experienced and popular librarians, Richard Stone, retired in May after a career of nearly 34 years with the Library.

Richard’s retirement was marked by a dinner at The Long Room at the National Gallery of Australia attended by numerous friends and colleagues, and by a morning tea at the Library.

Richard came to the National Library as a librarian-in-training in 1967. In 1972 he was appointed chief liaison librarian in New York and spent several fruitful and exciting years representing the Library abroad, acquiring materials and establishing relationships with North American libraries. On his return Richard worked in a variety of areas including Loans and Locations, the Australian Library-Based Information System, Serials, Acquisitions and Processing, Australian Reference and Exhibitions.

Richard will be remembered above all else for his work as the Australian Selection (later Collection Development) Librarian. In this position Richard was active in building the Australian printed materials collection to its present high standard.

His interest in and knowledge of older Australian publications and his success in obtaining them form a permanent and lasting contribution to the Library. An interest in documenting all aspects of Australian life and culture led Richard to champion the collecting of ephemera, too often neglected by libraries. Under his guidance the Library has developed a rich and attractive collection of this material. An adventurous traveller to many parts of the world, Richard also has a deep love of the arts, particularly opera and theatre.

His personal interest in the theatre has influenced and enriched the Library’s collections of performing arts material, and Richard has been active in PASIG, the Performing Arts Special Interest Group.

Frequently in demand as a speaker on the Library’s collection material, Richard will be greatly missed by readers and colleagues alike for his knowledge, integrity and good humour. Fortunately he plans to maintain his association with the Library and its collections in his retirement.

Peter Haddad

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