One week down

Following a most enjoyable break (of which more later) after leaving my previous post as University Librarian at the University of Technology, Sydney, I took up the position of State Librarian last Monday, 5 September.

The first week was a whirl beginning with chairing my first meeting of the State Library Executive on my first day and proceeded to meeting the Minister for Arts, the Premier and the Mayor of City of Sydney, among many others, as well as officiating at two public functions. But most enjoyable was meeting more of the State Library staff and beginning to get to know the premises and extensive activities of the Library. It is truly a remarkable organisation with an enormous range of services and activities, truly one of the great libraries of the world.  My new colleagues were most welcoming and delighted to show me a little of what they do - from those helping researchers in the Mitchell Library's magnificent reading room to those deep underground in the conservation lab and those digitising valuable documents and creating e-records to enable worldwide access to the Library's riches.

But, of course, the collections are the aspect which stands out. Their riches are extraordinary and it is a tremendous honour and responsibility to be appointed to care for them and ensure their future development. I shall write more about them later.

The second week has started with another Executive meeting and my first meeting of the Public Libraries Consultative Committee. I'm glad to have met with the PLCC so early in my tenure because the State Library's role in supporting and advancing the extensive public library network across the State is the key to our connection deep into the State's varied urban, country and remote communities.

NAIDOC Week & the Christchurch Earthquakes

A couple of experiences in the last 24 hours have demonstrated the important roles that libraries and other memory institutions play.

Last night we attended one of the NAIDOC Week events, a showing of three films from the NFSA at the Glebe Public Library in Sydney:

My Brother Vinnie (2006, M)

Dir: Steve McGregor, Australia, 25mins
Prod: Sarah Bond, Writ: Aaron Pedersen

A documentary that explores the relationship between Arrernte actor Aaron Pedersen and his brother Vinnie who have grown up as each others’ shadow. From a very young age Vinnie gave his older brother Aaron duty of care. Aaron is a successful actor all the while being responsible for the care of Vinnie, who has mild intellectual disabilities and cerebral palsy. The journey hasn’t been easy for either brother.

Footy The La Perouse Way (2006, M)

Dir: Michael Longbottom, Australia, 25mins
Prod: Lisa Duff, Writ: Michael Longbottom

A documentary that uses historical photographs to talk about the history of rugby league in the Sydney suburb of La Perouse, and how football has helped build a community that prides itself on being open to people of all cultures.
Clips from Footy The La Perouse Way can be viewed on ASO along with educational notes.

Island Fettlers (2006, G)

Dir: Kelrick Martin, Australia, 25mins
Prod: Pauline Clague, Writ: Kelrick Martin

In the late 1960s, Torres Strait Islander men made the epic journey to the Pilbara in Western Australia to build railways between remote mines in the desert and ports on the coast. Tom Saylor was one of the first wave of island fettlers; both he and his son Thomas have waited over 25 years to embark on a cultural pilgrimage back to the islands to reconnect, to reconcile, and to ultimately realise just what it means to be from the Torres Strait.

Each showed aspects of Indigenous life in Australia. The event and those that continue through the week are examples of day to day reconciliation as they foster understanding between cultures.

The other experience was seeing photographs taken by Ross Becker of Lyttelton & Rapaki on the outskirts of Christchurch. The latest photos are first and show the damage from the 13th June quake.Becker was commissioned by the National Library of New Zealand to document the quakes and the experience of the people of Christchurch and surrounding parts of Canterbury.

- Alex

Barani/Barrabugu (Yesterday/Tomorrow)

I continue to receive messages from colleagues around Australasia and around the world. They've come from Uruguay, Mexico, Canada, Sweden, Botswana, Tasmania and many other places. It's been overwhelming but lovely to be wished well by so many friends and colleagues.

Today I went to the launch of Barani/Barrabugu (Yesterday/Tomorrow) Sydney's Aboriginal Journey http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/barani/BaraniBarrabuguYesterdayTommorrow.htm . It is a new guide that showcases the history and culture of Aboriginal Sydney, from first contact to today’s living culture. It was a great launch but, even better, the guide will go with me on my walks around this beautiful city to see aspects just under the surface.

- Alex

 

A big day!

On Wednesday 29 June 2011, the NSW Minister for the Arts, the Hon George Souris, announced that I have been appointed as the State Librarian and Chief Executive of the State Library of NSW. See http://blog.sl.nsw.gov.au/media/. I will take up the position on 5 September 2011.This is a fantastic honour and great professional opportunity. So I have decided to start an occasional blog about my experiences in the position.

Wednesday was quite a day. Following the Minister's announcement, I visited the State Library to meet the executive - who are most impressive team - and then be introduced to the staff by the Chair of the Libraries Council, Mr Rob Thomas, who is a very strong advocate and supporter of the Library.

I returned to UTS where I was given a rousing official farewell before lots of friends and colleagues. Organised and convened by my boss, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Teaching, Learning & Equity) Professor Shirley Alexander, it featured:

• acknowledgement of country by the wonderful Joan Tranter who explains the importance of acknowledging country so well
• an address by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Ross Milbourne, which was very generous in describing my achievements at UTS
• very warm comments from my friend and colleague Professor Jill McKeough, Dean of Law
• engaging and amusing comments from my friend and colleague Mal Booth who will be the acting University Librarian after I leave - see http://frommelbin.blogspot.com/   
• a great animation made by my friend ands colleagues Sharlene Scobie and Belinda Tiffen
  The Godfather Part 100 The Library Years

• a song by my friend and colleague Professor Theo Van Leeuwen  to the tune of "My favourite things"
• and a response from me.

I was then given a wonderful gift,  a Japanese-style woodcut by Theo Tipiloura Jilamara (Northern Editiorns, 2010,  New Japanese-style woodblocks from Tiwi Islands ).

After talking with so many friends and colleagues who attended, my lovely Sue, Kate and Daniel took me to dinner.

All in all, an extraordinary day! It really marked my transition from UTS which I will leave soon to my new role at the State Library where I hope to do great things with its staff, Council and the Public Libraries Network.

 - Alex Byrne