$2.1 million boost to Library

Library

Every great research institution needs a great research library, and the collections at the University of Adelaide have just been given a significant boost.

Earlier this year, Vice-Chancellor and President Professor James McWha approved $2.1 million in ongoing funding for the University Library to dramatically expand its collections.

This funding boost was the result of a review commissioned by the University in 2007 to assess the Library's buying power and to benchmark it against the other universities in the Group of Eight.

The review found that a funding boost for the Library was needed in order for it to continue its excellent service of the University's research-intensive mission.

University Librarian Ray Choate said that once the extra funding was announced, feedback about what should go on the Library's shopping list was sought from Schools and Faculties.

"This funding increase has allowed us to critically examine areas of need across the entire University," Mr Choate said.

"We've been pleased to grant almost all the requests received for new resources.

"The new collections focus on areas that are growing strongly, as well as on areas of emerging research interest, including multi-disciplinary research.

"Some of our new resources are items that have been keenly sought after for a long while, and we're gratified that we're now able to offer them."

New additions to the collections encompass electronic resources (including 22,000 new e-book titles), datasets, music scores and multimedia items, as well as new books and journals.

"The funding has been spot on in terms of being able to meet demand and we were even able to add some extra acquisitions after the first round of requests," Mr Choate said.

"While the volatility of the currency markets earlier in the year gave us cause for thought, the current strong position of the Australian dollar was an unanticipated extra boost to our buying power, given that so many resources are purchased from overseas.

"The new breadth and depth of our collections comes at a perfect time, as the University of Adelaide continues its very strong performance in attracting research grant funding," Mr Choate said.

The University Library encompasses the iconic Barr Smith Library, as well as the Elder Music Library, the Sir John Salmond Law Library, and the libraries of the Roseworthy and Waite campuses.

The Library collections will become even more widely accessible to members of the University of Adelaide community as it increases the mass of electronic journals, books and databases.

To find out more about recent acquisitions, visit: www.adelaide.edu.au/library/news/resources

Story by Karah Hogarth