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Foreword

In 2001—the centenary of Australia's federation—the National Library of Australia celebrates its first 100 years of collecting, preserving and providing access to Australia's documentary heritage. Today the National Library serves the Australian people through the provision of information and research services, interpretive exhibitions, publications and events. Increasingly we are able to extend these services by offering web-based access to digitised copies of many of the unique items in our collections.

It gives me great pleasure, in our anniversary year, to invite you to celebrate the role of libraries and archives across the world through the exhibition Treasures from the World's Great Libraries. This exhibition presents an extraordinary sample of the cultural treasures to be found in libraries throughout the world, ranging from ancient texts and forms of writing to electronic books. The National Library's own extraordinary collection is represented, as well as the collections of some of Australia's State libraries.

Treasures from the World's Great Libraries breaks new ground for the National Library and is the first exhibition of its kind in Australia. It pays tribute to the unique role played by libraries in collecting and preserving the history and culture of the world. It is fitting that in our centenary year the National Library has undertaken such a comprehensive, innovative and exciting project.

The exhibition owes its existence to the enthusiastic participation of 38 major libraries around the world. I thank all the lenders to this exhibition, as well as the many people who have worked hard to turn an ambitious idea into a significant exhibition. They include curators, conservators and collection managers in participating libraries.

Exhibitions such as this could not be staged without the support of our sponsors who have recognised the importance of the exhibition and made it possible for over 130 international treasures to come to Australia.

I know that you will enjoy this once in a lifetime opportunity to see first-hand Treasures from the World's Great Libraries.

Jan Fullerton
Director-General
National Library of Australia


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