Acclaimed author David Malouf has recalled his time as a student at The University of Queensland to celebrate 80 years of the Fryer Library and to launch the final volume of The Bibliography of Australian Literature.
In a memorable speech at Customs House on November 12, Dr Malouf paid tribute to the Fryer Library, which holds one of the nation's most important collections of Australian literature and was crucial for the creation of the four-volume Bibliography, which records 40,000 works and 12,000 authors.
"A great library is the hallmark of a great university," University Librarian and Director of Learning Services Keith Webster said.
"Great libraries are in large part distinguished by the breadth and depth of their special collections; collections which, in turn, attract great scholars."
The Bibliography works in tandem with the AustLit online archive and records the details of all book-length literary works by Australian writers over the last two centuries.
"The Fryer Library is a profoundly important site to scholars of Australia'ss literary heritage," AustLit Executive Manager and Bibliography Associate Editor Kerry Kilner said.
In celebrating the completion of the 15-year project, Ms Kilner acknowledged the collaboration between The University of Queensland and its AustLit partners, which include 11 Australian universities and the National Library of Australia.
In particular, she acknowledged General Editors Emeritus Professor John Hay and Mr John Arnold, and her co-Associate Editor, Terence O'Neill.
The project was made possible by long-term funding provided by the Australian Research Council as well as internal university grants.
"AustLit and The Bibliography of Australian Literature are both examples of outstanding scholarship made possible only through access to significant heritage collections," Mr Webster said.
"As we recognise their achievement and celebrate the past work of the Fryer Library, we also look to the future, anticipating the scholarly achievements yet to come."
Fryer Library was named in memory of John Denis Fryer, a graduate of the University who died as a result of injuries received during his service in World War I.
Dr Frederick Walter Robinson of the University's English Department founded the Fryer Memorial Library of Australian Literature, using a £10 gift from Fryer's fellow students to purchase Australian literary works in his memory.
The Bibliography of Australian Literature is published by UQP.
Media: Tanya Ziebell at the UQ Library (07 3365 6315, t.ziebell@library.uq.edu.au) or Cameron Pegg at UQ Communications (07 3365 2049, c.pegg@uq.edu.au)
