William Albert (Bill) Cowan (1933-1984)
Papers 1923-1974
MSS 92 C8713p
Biographical Note
William Albert Cowan was born in 1908 in Dunedin, New Zealand, and educated at Otago Boys' School and the University of Otago, graduating with first class honours in Latin and French despite struggling financially. He gained a further degree in classics at the University College, London, also with first class honours. On his return to New Zealand he taught for a short time in at Wellington College in NZ before being appointed University Librarian at the Barr Smith Library in 1933.
In 1935-1936, a study grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York enabled Cowan to attain his Bachelor of Library Science degree at the Library School of the University of Michigan, and also to visit university libraries in Great Britain, Europe and North America. The Carnegie Corporation was at this time generously promoting growth of Australian libraries, resulting in a renaissance of librarianship in Australia. Bill Cowan thus became one of the first professionally trained Australian librarians.
During his administration, the Barr Smith Library grew from approximately 90,000 to over 300,000 volumes despite limited financial resources. The Medical Library grew to be regarded as one of the strongest in the country, while Cowan tirelessly built up the periodical collection through an exchange programme using the Australian Journal of Experimental Biology and Medical Science.
His period of administration was an eventful and arduous one, covering the difficult years of the Depression followed by World War II. The post-war years and the influx of students brought new stresses for university libraries, and it was not until the Murray Commission Report that funding increases became available for the purchase of books and periodicals. In addition to his Librarianship duties, Cowan lectured in the Dept of Classics until 1955.
Bill Cowan took an active part in the Australian Institute of Librarians and its successor, the Library Association of Australia. He was an examiner of university librarianship for many years, and was the university librarians' representative of the Australian Unesco Committee for Libraries from 1954.
After 30 years as Librarian, he retired in 1964 due to ill health and was awarded the title of Emeritus Librarian. He was a well-respected scholar of the classics, a perfectionist, and lived rather frugally.
Bill and his wife Marnie Cowan both believed in the benefits of tertiary education. In 1994 Marnie established a trust to help students financially. Since its inception the Cowan Grant has provided over $1.2 million of grants and scholarships.
Contents Listing
Series 1. References and testimonials 1923-1936 1 cm.
Includes testimonials from Cowan's former headmasters and Professors TA Adams (University of Otago), Harold Butler (University College) and Marriott Smiley (University College); certificates of award of Postgraduate Arts Scholarship from the University of NZ 1930, and admission to BA degree and MA degree (University of NZ); record of studies at University College, London, 1930-32; testimonial from headmaster of Wellington College,NZ.
Series 2. Correspondence of William and Marnie Cowan, 1936-64, and undated 2 cm.
Includes letters received from and copies of replies to Sir Mark Mitchell 1936; 1937 Professor Harold Butler (University of London), William Warner Bishop (Librarian of University of Michigan) and copy of Bishop's letter to Sir William Mitchell re Cowan's report on the development of libraries in Great Britain and the United States; 1938 copy of a letter to Sir William Mitchell from FP Keppel of Carnegie Corporation re possible grant to the University of Adelaide.
1955- includes correspondence with Marriott Smiley, Max Cary, Marta and George Sved, Sir Henry Basten (Vice-Chancellor, University of Adelaide), Paquita and Douglas Mawson, Sir William Mitchell, Ted Strehlow, John Trevaskis, invitation to tour Soviet Union, HM Green, reference for Noel Stockdale, Kilmeny Symon, and letters from Jean Whyte on Library Association of Australia matters. Also letters commenting on Cowan's early retirement in 1963/64 from Gwenda Sargeant (Law Librarian), BFG Apps (University of Sydney), Dr K Woodroofe (London), FH Rogers (Librarian University of New England), Barry Scott (Librarian University of Queensland); 1963 letter to Katherine Ford of the Carnegie Corporation thanking them for past support; replies to Clare Campbell-Smith (Librarian ANU), Mr CW Collins (Librarian University of Canterbury), WS Rogers (University of Adelaide), Keyes Metcalf (Massachussetts), Margaret Sorrell (Barr Smith Library); also letter from Henry Basten offering Cowan title of Emeritus Librarian, ALG McDonald, Archibald Price and Peter Hawe.
1964- includes notes from JB Cleland, Arthur Alderman, letters from Richard Blackwell of Blackwells' asking advise re supply of American books to Australian libraries, list of books donated by Cowan to Bedford Park (now Flinders University), Ray Brown and Max Horsnell (University of Adelaide).
Series 3. Report on activities abroad 1937
Sponsored by a Carnegie Corporation grant, from August 1935-September 1936 Cowan undertook studies at the Postgraduate Dept of Library Studies at the University of Michigan, and also visited university libraries in Canada and eastern United States, England, Scotland, Paris, Switzerland and Germany. This report on his study leave prepared for Sir William Mitchell includes recommendations for the improvement of service and conditions in the Barr Smith Library. Typescript (photocopy) [20] leaves
Series 4. Correspondence with Ira Raymond 1963 0.5 cm
Letters to Ira Raymond re his unsuccessful application for the position of Librarian at Bedford park (now Flinders University) and advising Raymond of his early retirement; also letter of congratulations on Raymond's appointment as Librarian at the Barr Smith Library.
Series 5. Report on study leave in 1955 / WA Cowan
In October 1954-March 1955 William (Bill) Cowan took study leave funded by the Carnegie Corporation to study 19th century bibliography in the New Bodleian Library, and then visited university libraries in England and Scotland, the United States and Canada. This report focuses on problems of growth in university libraries. Typescript (Roneo copy) 28 leaves
Series 6. "Finding a needle in a haystack": talk by Noel Flentje 1974
Script of talk by Professor Noel Thomas Flentje on the history of the Barr Smith Library, recorded 24 May 1974 for broadcast on ABC Radio; also Cowan's comments and obituaries of Flentje from Advertiser May 1974. Typescript (photocopy) 6 leaves
Series 7. Plaque
Correspondence concerning the installation of a plaque in the Barr Smith Library foyer in recognition of Cowan's service.
Series 8. Biographical
Article written for the Adelaide University Graduates' Union Gazette v.4 (June 1964) on Cowan's retirement. Obituaries prepared for use in Lumen etc. on Cowan's death in 1984. Death notice for Marnie Cowan 1995.
