Description
A Library operated from the very beginning of the University's existence. Originally, however, the Department of Technical Education provided this service from the Sydney Technical College Library as a joint arrangement for both the University and the College. Council determined at its 12th September, 1949 meeting that for the time being the use of the library of the Department of Technical Education be continued, publications and records being duplicated wherever necessary and provision made for endowment or bequest of books to the University and immediate consideration be given to the proper housing of the library in its work of serving the two institutions (resolution 21). Accordingly, a Library Committee of the Professorial Board was established on 6th June, 1950 and a Library Committee of Council on 13th November, 1950 (resolution 89). Edith Sims was the Librarian responsible for supervising both the University and Department of Technical Education library services. Sometimes referred to as the Acting Librarian of the New South Wales University of Technology, she remained in this position for ten years as the Library was shared across the two sites of Ultimo and Kensington. At Kensington the location of the Library was initially in part of a wing of the Main Building from 1955, before moving to a floor of the Dalton Building in 1958. The first University Librarian, John Metcalfe, was also appointed in this year by Council on 18th November (resolution 58/149) effective 2nd February, 1959 and from this point the Library essentially became an independent entity of the University. The top floor of the Heffron Building was allocated to the Library from 1962, but it was not until 1965-66 that the Library was given its own purpose-built area in the form of the Robert Menzies Building. In 1975-76 Stage 2 was added to the Library, providing additional space. From mid-1994 the Library was brought under the control of the new Division of Information Services (DIS) and the position of University Librarian replaced by that of Principal Librarian from 23rd October, 1995. On 1st October, 2000, however, following the split up of DIS the position of University Librarian was reinstated. In 2004, the University Librarian was Andrew Wells. Controlling Organisation: UNSW - 01/07/1949-