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ISSN 1039-3498 | no. 48| December 2000


One hundred years

OnThursday 30 November at 6 pm over 200 guests assembled at the National Library to launch the Library’s anniversary program. In 2001 the Library celebrates its centenary—100 years from the establishment of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Library in Melbourne. The Minister for the Arts and Centenary of Federation the Hon. Peter McGauran officiated at the launch, with historian Geoffrey Bolton and Jim Bain, Chair of the Library Council also speaking. The guests toasted the Library in recognition of the past 100 years and to wish it well for the next 100.
launch Library's Anniversary Program

At the launch of the Library’s Anniversary Program.
From left to right: the Minister for the Arts and Centenary of Federation the Hon. Peter McGauran,
Professor Geoffrey Bolton, Jan Fullerton and Jim Bain. Jan Fullerton is holding PictureAustralia’s award for best Arts Site in
the Financial Review Australian Internet Awards 2000.
Photograph: Greg Pook

The National Library grew out of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Library and for many years the Library was located within the Parliament building in Melbourne. In 1926 the Library moved to Canberra with the opening of Parliament House and, in 1968, its permanent home on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin was opened.

To mark the occasion of its centenary the Library has planned an exceptional program of exhibitions, publications, events and special projects to invite all Australians to help celebrate the Library’s first 100 years. Special highlights from the anniversary program include the conference ‘An Inventive Magic: Donald Friend and his Diaries’ (23–24 February). This two-day conference will explore Donald Friend’s artistic and personal life, as well as examining his extensive writings in the 44 diaries held by the National Library.

The Library is also planning a second two-day conference in October entitled ‘The Secret Self: Exploring Biography and Autobiography’. Speakers at this conference will be invited to reveal the fascinating role of biography in re-inventing the private as public, uncovering family mystery, and examining the role of memory.

Jennifer M.T. Carter

Other special events include the Wednesday lunchtime series of ‘Spotlight Talks’ which will focus during the anniversary year on how to access the Library’s collections and services. Topics to be covered include digitisation, oral history, Federation, family history, preservation and much, much more. Another exceptional event will be the National Library Open Day (date to be confirmed). For one day the Library will open doors traditionally closed—visitors will be able to explore the stacks area, take a behind-the-scenes tour, and talk to Preservation Services staff who ensure the long life of Library treasures.

To commemorate the anniversary the Library will release early next year the hardcover publication Remarkable Occurrences: The National Library’s First 100 Years, 1901–2001. This beautifully illustrated publication tells the stories that lie behind the collecting of Australia’s heritage and reveals the history of one of Australia’s largest collecting institutions.

The National Library will also launch the ‘100th Birthday Book Search’ initiative in 2001. The Library will invite all Australians to give the Library a special gift and assist with the development of our collections. To complement the Book Search the National Library will also embark on a fundraising campaign to increase and further develop our existing Acquisitions Trust.

Prof. Geoffrey Bolton

The Library is also planning a number of special exhibitions—Bunyips: The Travelling Exhibition and Internet Experience will show at the Library from 24 January and then tour over the next three years to 29 venues in each Australian state and territory. Belonging: A Century Celebrated (22 August–11 November) tells the story of a century of nationhood, drawing on the collections of the Library, the National Archives of Australia and the State Libraries of New South Wales and Victoria. The centrepiece of the exhibitions program will be the final exhibition for the year Treasures from the World’s Great Libraries opening on the 7 December. This international exhibition celebrates and acknowledges the importance of libraries—guardians of history and culture.

The Library’s program for 2001 promises to be both stimulating and exciting—a fitting commemoration of one of Australia’s finest cultural institutions. The Library hopes many Australians will join in the celebrations that mark our first 100 years.
—Heather Clark

Top left: Jennifer M.T.Carter with her book Eyes to the Future: Sketches of Australia and her Neighbours in the 1870s,
published by the National Library. Photograph: Damian McDonald

Right: Professor Geoffrey Bolton delivering his speech. Photograph: Damian McDonald

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Please address any comments and enquiries to The Editor, Gateways: dthomas@nla.gov.au

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