proACTive

Number 231: February 2003

Canberra firestorm | Mt Stromlo Library destroyed | ACT local presence person

Canberra Firestorm
The staff at ALIA National Office are aware that many ACT members, their families and friends have been affected by the catastrophic fires that have touched us all in some way. We would like you to know that for those who have lost their homes we offer spare rooms in our homes, household items, and temporary accommodation for pets. We are also happy to listen to their story. The thoughts of Joyce Kirk, our president, and members are with you. Please phone Trish on ph 02 6215 8223 or Yvette on ph 02 6215 8224 if we can be of assistance.

Mt Stromlo Library destroyed
The ANU branch library at Mount Stromlo was destroyed in the fire. This has been a huge loss not only to the University but to astronomy in Australia, as some of the material held in the collection was unique or of great historical value. The international astronomy community is understandably distressed by the fate of the observatory in the bushfires. Jeanette Regan, who served as librarian at Mt Stromlo Library for ten years until the end of 2001, has received and passed on some offers of assistance for the library from international wellwishers who did not know how to get in touch, but one contact point they remembered was her name!

Scholarly information services/library staff at the ANU are developing a plan to manage the current situation and to continue providing services to the staff and students of the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics. Any plans to replace the branch library will of course be taken up at a future time in the context of understanding the information needs of the academic community and the rebuilding of Mount Stromlo.

The only part of the collection left is items that were out on loan. A book from the library at Mount Stromlo was returned to ANU's Chifley Library on the Tuesday morning after the fire, three weeks after the due date. The book was one written by Sir Richard Woolley, who was Director of Mount Stromlo from 1939 to 1955 and who went on to become Astronomer Royal at Greenwich Observatory in the UK. The status of all Stromlo books, not out on loan as of lunchtime Friday 24 January, has been set on the OPAC to read as 'destroyed'.

ACT local presence person
In the last issue of proACTive, an advertisement appeared for a local presence person to assist ALIA's ACT groups for the equivalent of three days a month. However Judith Brooker, our first ACT local presence person, will be continuing in the position. The work undertaken supports ACTive ALIA's objectives and activities. Thank you to those who expressed interest in the position.

Helen Roberts

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