ALIA New Graduates Group

Tour of the State Library of Victoria

With the event having to be postponed in April, due to a very happy occasion, the birth of Vic NGGer and SLV Tour guide, Peter Head's son, we tried again for May, and were not disappointed with either the number who attended or the experience had. Just over 30 (yes, 30...WOW!) people made up two tour groups. We were taken down into the "underbelly" of the State Library, as Vic NGG co-convenor, Noriko put it: lift journeys, doorways and passages, it really did feel like we were heading into something top secret.

After beginning with a whole group welcome and introduction to the Library in the foyer and Information Centre by Peter, some went to the right side, others to the left, as people parted ways to let the tour really begin. Peter took one group and his colleague, Carmen the other. The first stop Peter took his group to, was his "home" as a cataloguer, Cataloguing and Acquisitions. We were introduced to an old card catalogue, used if staff want to check the details of items to be catalogued. Some of the participants felt like their cataloguing backlogs and workloads were insignificant, when Peter told them of an item he had just catalogued that had been waiting to be processed for over 100 years! This also gave an insight into how many items come into the State Library's possession. After showing us a few of the other items in the compactus awaiting cataloguing, including a biography of Barack Obama, we were on the move again to the Rare Collection, where we were treated to a "show and tell" of the weird, wonderful, amazing, unique things that are placed here. Comics, politically challenging books, Book Art (some of which looked like edible treats!) and items which made you think 'what would be the value of this?' This is when legal deposit at the SLV was briefly explained: a copy everything that is produced in, or about Victoria, or by a Victorian is kept, plus items are also donated. The example was given of a magician who donated his magic collection, with the stipulation that it only be used by magicians. The question came up about how you would be able to ensure this wish was carried out. Would there be a secret code we wondered??? Someone else asked whether the Library had copies of Underbelly in the collection? Would they be rare?

Lastly, we were taken to the Image Access area, where Genevieve Purgl gave us a very good insight into the work that is carried out by the staff, to make items that might otherwise be less accessible, items that may give us important insights into our culture, available to the general public electronically. Projects like the Melbourne Metropolitan Board of Works maps, which show enough detail to allow you to find your house, or taking the utmost care to preserve the Jerilderie Letter of Ned Kelly fame. Participants brought up issues related to maintaining the integrity of the original item, while ensuring a quality reproduction? High quality photography. How many items can be stored on one piece of media (i.e. a disk)? It was amazing to find out how storage media and capacity has changed over time and how it will change in the future. And what sorts of copyright and privacy issues are faced in making documents available in this way? There have been cases where people have not wanted themselves identified, because they have new lives, or families of identified parties have raised their concerns, and in some cases items have had to be removed from public view.

With the tour ended, and participants pleased they had made the effort to come, some journeyed home, while a smaller contingent went across the road to the Melbourne Central Lion Hotel, for a drink, bite to eat and a chat, recounting what they enjoyed most about the tour. Thank you very much to Peter Head for all his hard work organising the event, and also his colleagues, Carmen Quick, Monika McIntyre and Genevieve Purgl for their parts in what was a successful evening. Thanks also to Margie and Craig Anderson for ensuring we got the certificates and name labels needed to make it a true ALIA event! There were a few surprised looks when participants realised they got a certificate.

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