What is the primary responsibility of the National Library of Australia (NLA) as defined by the National Library Act 1960?

The National Library of Australia is primarily responsible for maintaining and developing a national collection of library material. This collection is intended to be comprehensive, specifically focusing on materials related to Australia and the Australian people, thereby functioning as the nation's national library.

In which suburb of Canberra is the National Library of Australia located?

The National Library of Australia is situated in Parkes, Canberra, within the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).

What was the initial objective of the Commonwealth Parliament Library upon its establishment in 1901?

Established to serve the newly formed Federal Parliament of Australia, the Commonwealth Parliament Library was driven from its inception by the goal of developing a truly national collection. This vision aimed to create a public library comparable to the Library of Congress, housing literature from around the world and for all time.

What ideal did the Joint Parliamentary Library Committee, chaired by Frederick William Holder, define for the Commonwealth Parliamentary Library in 1907?

In 1907, the Joint Parliamentary Library Committee envisioned building a great Public Library, similar to the renowned Library of Congress in Washington. This library was intended to be a national repository, worthy of the Australian Nation, holding literature from the world and all eras.

How did the library's naming evolve between 1901 and 1960?

From 1901, the library served the Federal Parliament. By 1923, two names were used concurrently: Commonwealth National Library for the national collection and Commonwealth Parliament Library for the parliamentary collection. In 1960, the National Library of Australia was created as an independent statutory body, separating the national and parliamentary library functions.

What significant recommendation regarding the library's structure was made by the Paton Committee in 1957?

The Paton Committee recommended the establishment of a National Library as an independent statutory body. This recommendation aimed to provide a distinct and recognized national institution for library services.

When was the National Library of Australia officially established, and what legislation enabled its creation?

The National Library of Australia was created in 1960 through the National Library Act 1960. This act legally established the library as a separate entity.

Describe the original National Library building constructed in 1934.

The original National Library building on Kings Avenue, Canberra, was designed by Edwin Hubert Henderson. Although intended to comprise several wings, only one was completed, partly due to the onset of World War II. This building was later demolished in 1968.

When was the current National Library building inaugurated, and by whom?

The present National Library building was officially opened on August 15, 1968, by the then Prime Minister, John Gorton.

What notable artworks are featured within the National Library building?

The foyer of the National Library is adorned with marble, stained-glass windows created by Leonard French, and three tapestries by Mathieu Matégot. Additionally, a sculpture titled 'Lintel Sculpture' by Tom Bass is installed over the library's entrance.

On what date was the National Library building officially recognized on the Commonwealth Heritage List?

The National Library building was listed on the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List on June 22, 2004, acknowledging its heritage significance.

What is the purpose of the reading rooms within the National Library?

The reading rooms provide access to the library's collections and resources, allowing users to consult with expert staff, browse the reference collection, and utilize electronic journals, ebooks, indexes, and databases. They also offer services like free internet, computer use, scanning, photocopying, and printing.

Where is the Main Reading Room located within the library, and what key services does it offer?

The Main Reading Room is situated on the ground floor of the National Library. It houses the majority of the library's Internet access terminals and provides wireless internet access for visitors.

What is the core principle guiding the National Library's collection development?

The library's collection development is guided by the principle of collecting material produced by Australians, for Australians, or about the Australian experience. This encompasses a wide range of formats, not just traditional printed works.

What types of materials, beyond books and serials, are included in the NLA's Australian collection?

The library collects a diverse range of materials including newspapers, maps, posters, music, printed ephemera, online publications, and unpublished materials such as manuscripts, pictures, and oral histories.

Who was Hazel de Berg, and what was her significant contribution to the NLA's collections?

Hazel de Berg was a pioneer in recording Australian cultural figures. Starting in 1957, she conducted nearly 1,300 interviews with Australian writers, artists, and musicians, contributing significantly to the library's oral history collection over a period of twenty-seven years.

What is the significance of the John A. Ferguson collection within the NLA?

The John A. Ferguson collection is a core part of the library's Australiana collection, representing a significant historical resource for documenting Australia's cultural heritage.

What specific areas of collection strengths does the NLA possess beyond general Australiana?

The library has particular strengths in the performing arts, including dance. It also holds substantial collections of general overseas materials, rare books, and world-class Asian and Pacific collections, complemented by extensive microform holdings.

What obligation does the NLA have regarding Australian publications due to legal deposit provisions?

Under the Copyright Act 1968, the NLA is legally required to collect a copy of every Australian publication. Publishers must submit their materials to the library upon publication to fulfill this obligation.

As of June 2019, what was the approximate size of the National Library's collection in terms of items and shelf space for manuscripts?

As of June 2019, the National Library's collection comprised approximately 7.7 million items. Additionally, its manuscript material occupied about 17,950 meters (nearly 59,000 feet) of shelf space.

What is the NLA's role in digital preservation, and what is the Pandora Archive?

The National Library of Australia is recognized as a world leader in digital preservation techniques. Since 1996, it has maintained the Pandora Archive, an Internet-accessible collection of selected Australian websites, contributing to the preservation of digital heritage.

What is the National edeposit (NED) service, and which organizations collaborate on it?

The National edeposit (NED) service is managed and hosted by the NLA, facilitating the deposit of born-digital content as required by legal deposit legislation. Member organizations include Libraries ACT, Libraries Tasmania, Northern Territory Library, State Library of New South Wales, State Library of Queensland, State Library of South Australia, State Library Victoria, and the State Library of Western Australia.

What makes the NLA's Asian collections significant within Australia and the Southern Hemisphere?

The National Library houses Australia's largest and most actively developing research resource on Asia. It also holds the largest Asian language collections in the Southern Hemisphere, comprising over half a million volumes and extensive online resources.

Name at least three specific scholarly collections that have been acquired for the NLA's Asian Collections.

The library has acquired several significant scholarly collections for its Asian holdings, including the Australian Buddhist Library Collection, the Braga Collection (focused on Portuguese in Asia), and the Coedès Collection (related to Indo-China).

What is the focus of the National Library's Pictures collection?

The National Library's Pictures collection primarily focuses on documenting Australian people, places, and events, spanning from the era of European exploration in the South Pacific to contemporary happenings. Items are acquired mainly for their informational value and historical significance.

What types of media are represented in the NLA's Pictures collection?

The Pictures collection includes a wide array of media, such as photographs, drawings, watercolours, oil paintings, lithographs, engravings, etchings, and sculptures or busts.

What is the PROMPT collection, and how is it utilized?

PROMPT is the Performing arts ephemera collection held by the National Library. Since around 2017, volunteers have been using this collection to contribute content to the AusStage database, enhancing the accessibility and research value of performing arts history.

What is the significance of the J.C. Williamson Distributed Collection and the AusStage database in terms of international recognition?

Both the J.C. Williamson Distributed Collection and the AusStage database have been recognized for their cultural importance, having been added to the UNESCO Australian Memory of the World Register in 2021.

What national leadership role does the NLA play in relation to the Australian library community?

The NLA provides national leadership in developing and managing collaborative online services with the Australian library community. This effort aims to simplify the process for users to find and access information resources at a national level.

What services does the NLA offer to Australian publishers?

For publishers, the NLA offers a Prepublication Data Service and provides International Standard Serial Numbers (ISSNs) and International Standard Music Numbers (ISMNs) for Australian publishers. It also manages the National edeposit (NED) service to help publishers fulfill their legal deposit obligations.

What is the Australian National Bibliographic Database (ANBD), and how is it accessed?

The Australian National Bibliographic Database (ANBD) is a resource for librarians, used for reference, collection development, cataloguing, and interlibrary lending. It is accessible through the Libraries Australia subscription-based service.

What online discovery services does the NLA provide for the general public?

For the general public, the NLA provides access to the Australian Web Archive (which includes PANDORA and the Australian Government Web Archive), the National Library of Australia Catalogue, and the 'Ask a Librarian' service for research assistance.

What is Trove, and what is its most recognized feature?

Trove is an online library database aggregator launched by the NLA in 2009, built collaboratively with major Australian libraries. Its most well-known feature is its extensive collection of digitized Australian newspapers.

What types of non-fiction books does the National Library publish?

The National Library publishes non-fiction and children's books that explore its collections. These publications cover subjects such as History, Natural History, and Art, with some having received awards like the Eve Pownall Award for Information Books.

What benefits does library membership confer upon Australian residents?

Free registration allows Australian residents to become members, granting them benefits such as requesting items for onsite use in reading rooms and accessing a selection of licensed electronic resources, like the full text of Encyclopaedia Britannica, from offsite locations.

Who was the first Interim Commonwealth Parliamentary Librarian, and what was the duration of their service?

Arthur Wadsworth served as the Interim Commonwealth Parliamentary Librarian from 1901 to 1927, a period of approximately 25 to 26 years.

Who held the position of National Librarian between 1947 and 1970?

Harold Leslie White, who held the title of National Librarian, served in that capacity from 1947 to 1970, a tenure of about 22 to 23 years.

Who is the current Director-General of the National Library of Australia?

As of the information provided, Marie-Louise Ayres is the current Director-General, having held the position since 2017.

What funding challenges did the National Library face in 2016, and how were they addressed?

In 2016, the library faced threatened funding cuts to its Trove service. A public campaign led to a government commitment of A$16.4 million in December 2016, spread over four years, to secure the service's future.

What staffing and operational challenges did the NLA encounter by early 2020?

By early 2020, the National Library was dealing with increasing demand for digital services while facing dwindling staff resources. To address this, the library undertook a restructure of its staffing and operations.

What is the purpose of the National Library's participation in the National and State Libraries Australia (NSLA) initiative?

The NLA collaborates with other major libraries through initiatives like National edeposit (NED) and the Australian National Bibliographic Database (ANBD) as part of the National and State Libraries Australia network, aiming to improve access to and management of library resources across the country.

What is the significance of the NLA's collection of printed ephemera?

The library holds a substantial collection of printed ephemera, gathered since the early 1960s, which includes various minor publications, pamphlets, invitations, and other materials. These items are collected for their informational content, design elements, and representation of specific periods or portraiture.

What is the role of the 'Ask a Librarian' service?

The 'Ask a Librarian' service is available to users who require research assistance or need general information about the National Library of Australia. It provides a direct point of contact for inquiries.

What is the National Library's budget for the 2025-2026 financial year?

The National Library's budget for the 2025-2026 financial year is projected to be A$100,000,000.

How many employees did the National Library have in 2016?

In 2016, the National Library of Australia employed approximately 400 people.

What is the purpose of the National Library's website?

The National Library's website, www.nla.gov.au, serves as its primary online presence, providing information about its collections, services, building, and operations, and acting as a gateway to its digital resources.

What is the significance of the NLA's collection of manuscripts related to Papua New Guinea and the Pacific?

While the manuscript collection predominantly relates to Australia, it also holds important holdings concerning Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, and the Pacific region, contributing to a broader understanding of the area's history and cultural heritage.

What is the purpose of the National Library's 'Copies and interlibrary loans for individuals' service?

This service allows members to order electronic copies of certain items and obtain inter-library loans for use within the library's reading rooms, enhancing access to materials for research and personal use.

What is the NLA's role in managing the National edeposit (NED) service?

The NLA hosts and manages the National edeposit (NED) service, which is a collaborative effort with several state and territory libraries. This service ensures that born-digital content published in Australia is collected, stored, and made accessible as required by legal deposit legislation.

National Library Of Australia Wiki: The National Library of Australia: A Repository of Knowledge and Heritage

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History and Foundation

Origins and Vision

The genesis of the National Library of Australia (NLA) can be traced back to the establishment of the Commonwealth Parliament Library in 1901, serving the nascent Federal Parliament. Early aspirations, articulated by the Joint Parliamentary Library Committee in 1907, envisioned a grand Public Library, akin to the Library of Congress, to serve as a repository of global literature worthy of the Australian nation.

Evolution and Establishment

Throughout the mid-20th century, the dual identity of the Commonwealth National Library and Commonwealth Parliament Library evolved. Following the 1957 Paton Committee's recommendation for an independent statutory body, the National Library Act 1960 formally established the National Library of Australia as a distinct entity, separating its national mandate from its parliamentary functions.

Growth and Development

The library's collection has grown substantially since its inception. By June 2019, it comprised over 7.7 million items, including extensive manuscript materials occupying nearly 18 kilometers of shelf space. This growth reflects its commitment to preserving Australia's cultural heritage across diverse formats.

Architectural Significance

The Landmark Structure

The current National Library building, situated in Parkes, Canberra, was officially opened on August 15, 1968. Designed by Bunning and Madden in the Late Twentieth Century Stripped Classical style, it is a prominent architectural landmark.

Artistic Integration

The building's interior is notable for its artistic elements, including marble finishes, stained-glass windows by Leonard French, and three Aubusson tapestries created by Mathieu Matégot. A significant sculpture, the 'Lintel Sculpture' by Tom Bass, adorns the entrance.

Constructed primarily from marble, granite, trachyte, and copper, the building's design reflects a blend of classical principles and mid-20th-century modernism. It was listed on the Commonwealth Heritage List in 2004, recognizing its cultural and architectural importance.

Location and Context

Located on Parkes Place and King Edward Terrace, the library is strategically positioned within Canberra's Parliamentary Triangle, overlooking Lake Burley Griffin. Its original 1934 building, designed by E. H. Henderson, was demolished in 1968 to make way for the Edmund Barton Building.

Comprehensive Collections

Australiana Focus

The NLA's core mandate involves collecting library materials relating to Australia and the Australian people. This includes books, serials, newspapers, maps, music, manuscripts, photographs, and ephemera, aiming for a comprehensive representation of the nation's cultural heritage.

Global and Specialized Holdings

Beyond its national focus, the library maintains significant collections of overseas materials, rare books, and specialized resources. Its Asian and Pacific collections are particularly noteworthy, being the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, encompassing materials in multiple languages and covering diverse geographical areas.

The library holds over half a million volumes on Asia, with extensive research resources in Western languages and significant holdings in Burmese, Chinese, Indonesian, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Lao, Manchu, Mongolian, Persian, Thai, Timorese, and Vietnamese. Notable acquired collections include the Braga Collection (Portuguese in Asia) and the Coedès Collection (Indo-China).

Visual and Unpublished Materials

The library's holdings extend to visual materials like photographs and artworks, as well as unpublished materials such as manuscripts and oral histories. The manuscript collection is vast, documenting Australian history from the 18th century onwards, including significant items like Captain Cook's Endeavour journal.

Digital Preservation and Access

Web Archiving

The NLA is a leader in digital preservation, maintaining the Australian Web Archive (incorporating the PANDORA archive and others) since 1996. This initiative captures and preserves selected Australian websites, ensuring long-term access to the nation's digital heritage.

National edeposit (NED)

Since May 2019, the NLA has hosted the National edeposit (NED) service. This collaborative platform facilitates the remote deposit of born-digital content by Australian publishers, fulfilling legal deposit obligations under the Copyright Act 1968 and making materials accessible nationwide.

Digitisation Efforts

The library actively digitizes its collections, making millions of images accessible online. This includes newspapers, official documents, and other materials, significantly expanding access to historical resources for researchers and the public.

Library Services

Collaboration and Leadership

The NLA plays a crucial leadership role in developing collaborative online services for the Australian library community. It provides essential services to libraries, publishers, and the public, fostering national access to information resources.

Publisher Services

For publishers, the NLA offers services such as the Prepublication Data Service and the assignment of ISBNs and ISMNs. The National edeposit (NED) service streamlines the legal deposit process for digital publications.

Librarian and Public Access

Librarians utilize the Australian National Bibliographic Database (ANBD) via Libraries Australia for cataloguing and interlibrary lending. The general public can access the NLA Catalogue and request items for onsite use, with membership providing additional benefits like offsite access to licensed electronic resources.

Trove: Discovering Australia

The Aggregator Platform

Launched in 2009, Trove is a central national service developed collaboratively with major Australian libraries. It aggregates resources from various institutions, providing a unified discovery interface for a vast range of Australian content.

Digitised Newspapers

Trove's most recognized feature is its extensive collection of digitized Australian newspapers, offering invaluable historical research opportunities. The platform integrates most NLA resource discovery services, enhancing accessibility beyond standard search engines.

NLA Publishing

Scholarly and Creative Output

The National Library publishes a range of non-fiction and children's books that delve into its collections, covering subjects such as history, natural history, and art. NLA Publishing has received recognition, including the Eve Pownall Award for Information Books.

Membership and Access

Registration Benefits

Australian residents can register for free membership, granting access to library reading rooms and a selection of licensed electronic resources from offsite locations, such as the Encyclopaedia Britannica.

Inter-Library Services

Members can request items for onsite use and obtain inter-library loans, further enhancing access to the library's extensive resources. Electronic copies of certain materials can also be ordered.

Leadership and Governance

Directors-General History

The National Library has been led by several Directors-General since its establishment. The role has evolved from Commonwealth Parliamentary Librarian to National Librarian and subsequently Director-General, with notable figures shaping its trajectory.

Key figures include Harold Leslie White (1947-1970), Warren Horton (1985-1999), Jan Fullerton (1999-2010), Anne-Marie Schwirtlich (2011-2017), and the current Director-General, Marie-Louise Ayres (since 2017). Their tenures reflect the library's ongoing development and adaptation.

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References

CoedÃ¨s Collection, National Library of Australia

Asian collections, National Library of Australia

Director-General and Executive Member Dr Marie-Louise Ayres, National Library of Australia

A full list of references for this article are available at the National Library of Australia Wikipedia page

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Important Notice

This content has been generated by an AI model and is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is based on data sourced from Wikipedia and has been refined to align with an academic tone suitable for higher education students.

This is not official library documentation or professional advice. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and adherence to the source material, users should consult official National Library of Australia resources and scholarly databases for definitive information. The AI is not responsible for any inaccuracies or omissions.

The National Library of Australia

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History and Foundation ⏳

🏛️ Origins and Vision

📜 Evolution and Establishment

📈 Growth and Development

Architectural Significance 🏗️

🏛️ The Landmark Structure

🎨 Artistic Integration

📍 Location and Context

Comprehensive Collections 📚

🇦🇺 Australiana Focus

🌏 Global and Specialized Holdings

🖼️ Visual and Unpublished Materials

Digital Preservation and Access 💻

🌐 Web Archiving

📄 National edeposit (NED)

🖼️ Digitisation Efforts

Library Services ⚙️

🤝 Collaboration and Leadership

🧑‍💻 Publisher Services

📖 Librarian and Public Access

Trove: Discovering Australia 🔍

💡 The Aggregator Platform

📰 Digitised Newspapers

NLA Publishing ✍️

📖 Scholarly and Creative Output

Membership and Access 👤

✅ Registration Benefits

📦 Inter-Library Services

Leadership and Governance 👨‍💼

📊 Directors-General History

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

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References

📜 References

Feedback & Support 👍

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Disclaimer ⚠️

📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

History and Foundation

Origins and Vision

Evolution and Establishment

Growth and Development

Architectural Significance

The Landmark Structure

Artistic Integration

Location and Context

Comprehensive Collections

Australiana Focus

Global and Specialized Holdings

Visual and Unpublished Materials

Digital Preservation and Access

Web Archiving

National edeposit (NED)

Digitisation Efforts

Library Services

Collaboration and Leadership

Publisher Services

Librarian and Public Access

Trove: Discovering Australia

The Aggregator Platform

Digitised Newspapers

NLA Publishing

Scholarly and Creative Output

Membership and Access

Registration Benefits

Inter-Library Services

Leadership and Governance

Directors-General History

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice