The Ephemera Collection: A ‘Snapshot in Time’ of World Youth Day 2008
As part of its role as custodian of the nation’s memories, the National Library of Australia endeavours to document nationally significant events that occur each year.
Ephemera such as brochures, flyers, posters, etc. are collected selectively by the Library at many major events. These materials are then organised into formed collections, which create cultural snapshots that social historians and others can access and learn from in the future.
The Library has collections on many events such as the 1956 and 2000 Olympics, the Bicentenary, and the Rugby Union World Cup 2003.
In July 2008 a large event engulfed Sydney, disrupting traffic, taking over Randwick Racecourse and bringing thousands of excited pilgrims to Sydney. This event was World Youth Day 2008 (WYD08). The Library contacted the organisers of the event and encouraged staff and others to collect any ephemera they could get their hands on.
From the papal ‘boat-o-cade’ schedule to traffic advice, all sorts of material was collected to create a picture of WYD08. As you can imagine, most materials relate to the events and religious services held throughout WYD08. However, the collection doesn’t stop there: pilgrim passports, meal vouchers and an invitation to meet the Pope were also received.
Even the ubiquitous WYD08 backpack with its unmistakable red, yellow and orange colour scheme is represented in the National Library’s collection. Other realia, many of them aimed at helping pilgrims remain comfortable while attending the evening vigil, were collected. Examples include WYD08 branded bandanas, torches, groundsheets and space blankets.
The McDonalds VIP card offering discounts to pilgrims was an eye-opening item, while a passport to shopping at Sydney Airport provides an interesting example of a commercial tie-in to this event.
The National Library’s PANDORA—Australia’s web archive of Australian online publications and websites—has archived the WYD08 website, ensuring that material relating to ‘cyber pilgrims’ was also retained.
Looking through the WYD08 collection provides interested people with much more insight into the event than can be gathered just from written accounts. So the next time you are curious about a major event in Australia’s history, consider delving into the Ephemera Collection here at the National Library.
Bruce Klopsteins
Ephemera Officer, Australian Collection Development Unit



