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1 September-October 2000 No. 249 Official Newsletter of The Library and Information Service of Western Australia Spotlight on.... - Y o u r G u i d e t o K n o w l e d g e state reference library state2 Welcome to the referenceWelcome library state reference second special edition to the State Reference Library of knowit. This issue library state reference library state focuses on the State Reference Library referenceCultural monuments library such as services as well as museums, art galleries and state statelibraries are allreference too often seen as LYNN including the second issue of the libraryan obligation rather thanstate a means Professional Journal. to a cultural end. I’m happy to report the reference library State Records Bill This issue of knowit celebrates the stateState Referencereference Library of Lynn Allen (CEO and State Librarian) (1999) is passing FROM Western Australia. through Parliament having had its second reading library state Claire Forte in the Upper House. We are all looking forward to (Director: State Reference Library) The State Reference Library this world leading legislation being proclaimed. reference library covers the full range of classifiable written knowledge in much the same way as a public library. As you I hope many of you will be able to visit the Centre state reference library state might expect in a large, non-circulating library, the line line line for the Book on the Ground Floor of the Alexander line line referencebreadth of material library on the shelves state is extensive. reference Library Building to view the current exhibition Quokkas to Quasars - A Science Story which library state reference library state A We also have specialist areas such as business, film highlights the special achievements of 20 Western and video, music, newspapers, maps, family history Australian scientists. You will also see on display reference library state reference and Australian children’s literature. This issue places the rare Gould’s Mammals of Australia volume 2. librarya spotlight state on some reference of these specialist library areas. state In addition to the exhibition we have organised 2 reference library state reference This important institution has long been a part of the exciting free lunchtime lectures. The talk on 20 history of learning in this state since the Victoria October will discuss the ethical responsibilities of library state reference library state Public Library opened in 1889. As the library is more scientists, particularly in relation to genetic referencethan just our collections, library we’ve state assembled reference a melange research. On 3 November we look at the fascinating of diverse articles to tell our story. There are tales of art of forensic science. What exactly does a forensic library state reference library state our past; reflections on the strange and bizarre entomologist do, and what would you want with a questions inhabiting the minds of Western Australians; forensic dentist? Find out these answers and more. reference library state reference and minor nuggets of wisdom from the pens of sage librarywriters intended state to reference stimulate your thoughts library on us. state I look forward to seeing you in the library. reference library state reference And having read this, and read it well, remember to librarymake some state time in reference the future to visit library us – to join state the referencelong lineage of learning.library state reference library state reference libraryClaire Forte state referenceDirector library : State state Reference reference Library Official Newsletter of The Library and Information Service of Western Australia September - October 2000 No.249 Editorial enquiries: Dana Tonello (Public Programs) ph:(08) 9427 3449 fax: (08) 9427 3152 email: [email protected] Public Libraries editorial: Tom Knapp (Public Library Services) ph:(08) 9427 3126 fax: (08) 9427 3169 email: [email protected] Editorial published may only be reproduced with the permission of Public Programs. Join The Western Australian Library Society and you automatically receive knowit every two months. Membership enquiries (08) 9427 3150. Deadline for issue no. 250 (November - December ‘00) - 13 October 2000 The Library and Information Service of Western Australia Alexander Library Building, Perth Cultural Centre, Perth WA 6000 Tel: (08) 9427 3111 Fax: (08) 9427 3256 Website: www.liswa.wa.gov.au knowit reserves the right to edit all articles. Views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of knowit or The Library and Information Service of Western Australia. All articles must be supplied ISSN 1328-7176 with a name and contact details for verification. 3 FOCUS ON...The State Reference Library Curiosity and wonder Visitors to the State Reference Library often remark on the impressive scale of the building and its powerful presence in the cultural centre precinct. In the eyes of some, this is appropriate testimony to the glory of the book and the wisdom of our collected writers. To others, this is a symbol of elitism, alienating parts of the community and dissuading them from making the journey of learning. In the face of such widely differing views, what are the “Francis Bacon said long ago that everyday life, an experience we badly custodians of the State Reference “wonder is a seed out of which need if we are to grow into the fullness Library to make of the value of their knowledge grows”. It is a statement that of our humanity. Curiosity is not the institution to the community? does not permit reversal: rational source of seeking learning and knowledge does not spawn wonder, knowledge; in fact, much of curiosity Pioneer child-psychologist Bruno which is an emotion. All too many of is very easily satisfied. It is wonder, I Bettelheim (author of the classic work today’s museums try to convey believe, which presses one toward an on fairy stories, The Uses of knowledge to children, out of which no ever deeper penetration of the Enchantment) reminds us of the wonder will grow. I believe that the best mysteries of the world, and to a true wonder which is so central to we can do is instil in children the awe, appreciation of the achievements of knowledge and learning, and how the wonder out of which alone man”. magnificent buildings and their meaningful knowledge grows. Such Children and museums / Bruno Bettelheim, knowledge truly enriches our lives by in Recollections and reflections, pp. 142- collections can inspire such important 143 (London, Penguin Books, 1992) feelings: permitting us to transcend the limits of State Libraries in Curios & Oddities Australia / by Peter from the scrapbook Biskup A two volume work, The Cockroach by P.B.Cornwell. (an excerpt from an article published in Brought before a reader interested in the reason Alexandra, vol. 6, no. 2, 1994, p 116) cockroaches were so prolific. The original enquiry – “Got anything on the sex life of the cockroach?” “The founding fathers of State Libraries had one thing in common: the provision of books for the information and cultural enrichment of the citizenry of colonial capitals. Tours of the State Reference Library Most state libraries, as Richardson Staff of the State Reference Library are proud to offer general tours to small demonstrated in his 1961 article, groups of visitors. These tours offer a wealth of information that includes an were modelled on the British overview and history of the Alexander Library Building; the many artworks Museum Library, and saw scattered liberally throughout the building; key State Library personalities themselves as ‘national’ institutions as well as a brief but informative look into specialist sections – Arts and with a mandate to collect ‘books of Literature, Business and Management, Industry and Technology, Music all languages and descriptions’; and Performing Arts Library, Social Sciences, the Genealogy Centre and even in those colonies that could not the State Film and Video Library. afford to subscribe to this lofty ideal, they were still regarded as These tours are conducted on the last Thursday of the month starting at 10.30am. Bookings can be made two weeks in advance by completing a requirements of civilized society and tour request form – phone 9427 3240 or download a form from the Visiting funded accordingly, at least in Us section of our website (http://www.liswa.wa.gov.au/visiting.html ) prosperous times” 4 FOCUS ON...The State Reference Library The way we A string quartet, perched on the mezzanine were.... balcony, played waltzes There is something eerie about a library by Strauss. A spotlight without books; shelves without a picked out a vocalist purpose. Such a building can look whose voice wrapped itself denuded, stripped bare of its public around the beguiling lyrics covering and its meaning. of “Memory”. A troupe of staff joked their way th On the 24 April 1985, the ghosts of through the wit of the Monty remembrance joined staff as they said Python Bookshop Skit. farewell to the old Hackett Hall, the Women, finding themselves former home of the State Reference dressed in the same outfit, Library. glared at each other and The photographs here, unpublished swore vengeance on unscrupulous 15 years since we moved to the new since the event 15 years ago, show costume hirers.Bodies and legs building. staff in period costume as they mingled angled together on the dance floor as together in the shell of a special people charlestoned and jived. Men We now handle a total of 115,324 building – a place where readers and appeared dressed as women, but no- enquiries from clients, either directly writers had merged in their quest for one noticed. The empty jarrah shelves or through public libraries (compared deeper learning for nearly one hundred looked on, not yet missing their friends to 41,139 in 1983/84); and 397,201 years.