The new Learning Hub and the Library

As you may be aware, the University is undertaking a major building project around the Hughes Plaza (“Building campus life with new student learning hub“).

A side effect of this project will require that the Barr Smith Library vacates the area under the Hughes Plaza deck, on Level 3 South of the Library, and also that we relocate Special Collections from Level 4 of the Library.

An area on Level 1 South of the library — southwards from the study area — will be redeveloped to accommodate Special Collections. To make space for Special Collections, we are currently moving items from the main collection stacks in that area to Level 1 North. Some low-use items will be sent to store.

In order to vacate Level 3 South, the Reference Collection is also currently being weeded, prior to relocating the Reference Collection to the foyer outside the Reading Room on Level 2 North. We are still exploring alternative locations for staff from Level 3 South.

We apologise for the inevitable and unavoidable disruption and disturbance that will result from this project.

Event: Carl Vine: What Use is Classical Music?

The Friends of the University of Adelaide Library and Musica Viva invite you to a free public talk with Carl Vine, Artistic Director of Musica Viva, on Thursday 12 November 2009 at 6.00 for 6.30pm.

Venue: Napier Theatre GO4, Ground Floor, Napier Building, University of Adelaide.

Carl Vine first rose to prominence as a composer of music for classical dance, with over 20 scores to his credit. He has since emerged as a major orchestral composer with seven symphonies and seven concertos heading the catalogue, and his piano music is played frequently around the world.

He has an impressive catalogue of chamber music, complemented by various work for film, television and theatre. Although primarily a composer of modern ‘art’ music, he has undertaken such diverse tasks as arranging the Australian National Anthem and writing music for the Closing Ceremony of the Olympic Games (Atlanta, 1996). In his role as Artistic Director of Musica Viva Australia, Carl is also Artistic Director of the Huntington Estate Music Festival, Australia’s most prestigious chamber music festival.

Carl Vine has commented widely on the role of the Arts in Australia.

Bookings by Tuesday 10 November to:
Email: robina.weir@adelaide.edu.au
Telephone: 8303 4064

Admission is free and open to the public: gold coin donation invited.

Paul Wilkins
Deputy University Librarian
Barr Smith Library

Wines by:

Calling all science students. How do YOU use the Library?

Students currently studying 1st, 2nd or 3rd year Chemistry, Biochemistry, Geology, Ecology, Environmental Biology, Genetics, Physiology, Microbiology or Immunology are invited to participate in a Library focus group.

It doesn’t matter whether you are a regular in the Library or have only ever gone into the Library to use the toilets. We are keen to hear your views!

By participating in a focus group – and sharing your thoughts – you’ll be helping us to build an even better Library.

Available sessions are:

• Wednesday 28th October: 10:15am-11:00am
• Thursday 29th October: 11.15am-12:00 noon

About the focus groups

Sessions will last about 40 minutes, will consist of a minimum of 4 and maximum of 10 students, and will be held in the Barr Smith Library. Snacks and drinks will be provided. By participating in the focus groups you’ll also go in the draw to win one of several book vouchers.

To book your spot and be part of a focus group, or for more information, please email Ursula Henderson, ursula.g.henderson@adelaide.edu.au or call 8313 1063.

Exhibition: Upon this site – Adelaide’s original vegetation

An exhibition of works by Christian Clare Robertson will be on display on Level 3 South of the Barr Smith Library from 23 October to 18 November 2009, during normal Library opening hours.

Christian Clare Robertson’s exhibition, through a suite of watercolour and pen drawings, evokes contemplation of the native vegetation that once grew on the site of the present city of Adelaide. These plants were virtually all cleared at the time of European settlement and are now unfamiliar to most people, with only a few oases within the city area that endeavour to nurture them.
Robertson grew up in Adelaide and majored in painting at the SA School of Art in the 1960s. She worked at the Art Gallery of South Australia as Assistant Curator of Prints and Drawings in the early 1970s.
Robertson now lives in Darwin where she has pursued an active art practice for several decades.

Entry to the exhibition is free – all welcome.

The Bill Cowan Barr Smith Library Fellowship

Applications are invited for the Bill Cowan Barr Smith Library Fellowship which has been established by the Cowan Grant to provide financial assistance towards study for postgraduate degrees by research using the collections of the Barr Smith Library. The Cowan Grant was founded in 1994 on the estate of Marnie and Bill Cowan to provide financial assistance for students and offers a range of scholarships. Bill Cowan was Librarian at The University of Adelaide 1933 to 1964.

The Fellowship is open to students currently residing temporarily or permanently in Australia and undertaking study towards a postgraduate degree by research, either commencing or in progress. Postdoctoral researchers may be eligible within three years of a doctoral award where the research using the Barr Smith Library collections is being undertaken in attachment to an Australian University.

The Barr Smith Library has very large general collections of over 2 million items and rich Special Collections for research, both printed books and manuscripts.

A comment from the 2008 [Inaugural] Fellow, Mr Ming Hwa Ting:

“I would have to say that the Fellowship has assisted greatly in my academic and professional development. It has allowed me more scope to present my research findings at various international conferences. The provision of an office space has also made me a more productive researcher since the resources I need are easily accessible.”

Applications close on 30 November 2009.

Before making inquiries about the Fellowship prospective applicants should familiarise themselves fully with the Fellowship website. Subsequent questions and inquries should be directed to:

Paul Wilkins
Deputy University Librarian
University of Adelaide Library
The University of Adelaide, AUSTRALIA 5005
Ph : +61 8 8303 5223
Fax : +61 8 8303 4369
e-mail: paul.wilkins@adelaide.edu.au

Changes to Library Website

The Library web site is receiving a “makeover”, with pages gradually being updated to the new University standard.

Our web site dates back to 1995 — soon after the “birth” of the World Wide Web. We were one of the first in the University to have a public and global presence on the web. So we have a complex web site, with a lot of pages. It will take some time for us to roll out the new style to all pages, so please bear with us during this process.

We are changing the pages one section at a time. So far we have changed Special Collections and the About sections. Watch for more changes soon.

And please leave us a comment to tell us what you think of the change.