Guide to the Papers of Averill Edwards

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MS 9778; MS Acc08.199; MS Acc13.054

National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record

Collection Summary

Creator
Averill Edwards
Title
Papers of Averill Edwards
Date Range
1937-2012
Collection Number
MS 9778; MS Acc08.199; MS Acc13.054
Extent
2.13 metres (14 boxes + 1 folio item)
Language of Materials
English
Repository
Special Collections (Manuscripts)

Introduction

Scope and Contents

The collection includes Library Association of Australia (LAA) and Australian Library and Information Service (ALIA) correspondence relating to branch and head office business, awards, visits and speeches Edwards made as ALIA president, papers relating to the relocation of ALIA Head Office from Ultimo (Sydney) to Canberra and the building of the Canberra office. There are conference papers, discussion papers, branch correspondence, building contracts and plans, conference reports, constitution papers, Parliamentary submissions, minutes and by-laws.

Many of the papers deal with the role and work of ALIA, librarians, library technicians, and teacher librarians. Other subjects include the name change from Library Association of Australia to Australian Library and Information Service, information technology in the workforce, library access, ALIA Presidency, the location and move of ALIA Headquarters, and the use of copyright material in churches.

Correspondents include Alan Bundy, Anne Hazel, Sue Kosse, J.G. Dwyer, Frances Awcock, Warren Horton, John Levett, Colin Steele, Phil Roberts, R. Segal, M. Wathen, Sue Phillips and John Brudenall.

Conditions Governing Access

Please refer to the collection's catalogue record for the access conditions (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn3109293).

Conditions Governing Use

Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions. For such material, written permission to publish must be obtained from the copyright holder(s). Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.

Preferred Citation

Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of Averill Edwards, National Library of Australia, [class number, box number and series and/or file number]'.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The collection was donated to the Library by Averill Edwards in several instalments from 2004-2013.

Records of the Australian Library and Information Association, 1931-1995 are held in the National Library Manuscript Section at MS 7446. Records of St Columbus Church, Braddon, are held at MS 8243.

Arrangement

The papers have been largely maintained in the order in which they were received.

Finding Aid Source(s)

Please note: This finding aid may comprise or contain descriptive information provided by donors, researchers and/or volunteers.

Biographical Note

Averill Margaret Bruen Edwards was born in Sydney on 20th of May, 1939. She was a teacher prior to joining the National Library of Australia, where she was employed from 1968-1999. Averill worked in a number of areas including inter-library loans, acquisitions, selection, the Policy Secretariat, and reference. She managed the Information Services Section from 1989. She was the chief liaison librarian in North America when she represented the National Library from her location at the Australian Embassy in Washington.

Averill has a long term association with ALIA and was president in 1989, managing a series of changes which included a name change from the Library Association of Australia to the Australian Library and Information Association Information Association, a move from Sydney to Canberra, the building of its present quarters at ALIA House, Napier Close, Deakin and a change to ALIA's charter and objectives. During her presidential year, the Association developed standards for school, prison and public libraries and put the publications program on a sound financial footing.

As director of the Information Services Section, Edwards was instrumental in the transition of the Library's reference services from a `collections' base to a range of electronic information services. She developed policies consolidating the national role of the Library with services for researchers, and other users in remote areas. Prior to her retirement, Edwards was responsible for managing a web-based pathway for users to access informations from print and electronic sources. Edwards retired in January 1999.

Edwards has also been active in the Uniting Church in Australia at the regional and State level, and in 2004 was the only layperson to have been Presbytery Chairperson.

Librarian. Averill Margaret Bruen Edwards was a teacher prior to joining the National Library of Australia, where she was employed from 1968-1999. Edwards has long been involved with various library associations, including serving terms as President of the ACT Branch of the Library Association of Australia and the Australian Library and Information Association. Edwards had also been active within the Uniting Church in Australia at the regional and state level and, as at 2004, was the only laywoman to have been Presbytery Chairperson.

Item Descriptions

Class MS 9778. Original Consignment

Series 1. LAA and ALIA correspondence, 1980-1994

The series relates to Edwards' activities as General Secretary of the Library Association of Australia, and later as President of the organisation. It contains correspondence, typescripts, speeches and itineraries. Subjects include the National Information Policy, Australian Federal Libraries Committee Task Force, Role of ALIA vice-president, role of LAA and ALIA, proposed merger of ALIA and the Australian Council of Libraries and Information Services (ACLIS) and a submission to the Inquiry into Australia as an Information Society.

Correspondents include Colin Steele, Anne Hazel, Peter Durey, Warren Horton and Sue Kosse.

Library Association of Australia correspondence, 1980 -1985 (File 1) - Box 1 (MS 9778)
LAA correspondence, 1985-1988 (File 2) - Box 1 (MS 9778)
LAA correspondence, 1989. ALIA Awards, 1989 (File 3) - Box 1 (MS 9778)
LAA correspondence, 1989. Information for the National campaign; submission to Inquiry into Australia as an Information Society. (File 4) - Box 1 (MS 9778)
ALIA and LAA correspondence, 1989-1990. Invitations, itineraries, details of visits to LAA Branches. (File 5) - Box 1 (MS 9778)
Photograph of Edwards. Presidential and other speeches by Edwards as President of ALIA. (File 6) - Box 1 (MS 9778)
1989 InCite and Frontline. International Relations Committee. 1988-1994 (File 7) - Box 1 (MS 9778)
1st National Forum on Library Promotion, 1989. ALIA correspondence with New Zealand Library Association, 1988-1990 (File <emph render="italic">8<_emph>) - Box 1 (MS 9778)
1989 correspondence. ALIA and school libraries, teacher librarians, position of Director of the State Library of Victoria. (File 9) - Box 2 (MS 9778)
Personal and ALIA correspondence, 1981-1989 (File 10) - Box 2 (MS 9778)

Series 2. Presidency and post presidency of ALIA, 1988-1996

Edwards was president of ALIA in 1989. This series contains ALIA correspondence during the time of her presidency. Includes draft speeches, schedules, newspaper cuttings, media releases, conference reports, invitations, photographs.

Subjects include the sale of the ALIA building in Ultimo (Sydney), ALIA staff restructure and memberships, election of vice-president, branch activities, award nominations, computer systems in libraries, library image, school libraries, services and access to information, library access for disabled readers, inter-library loans, and the production of publications Frontline and InCite. Includes President's task force on the value of the information professional: Special Libraries Association 78th annual conference in Anaheim: California final report (1997) and Australian libraries summit, Canberra (1988). The series also includes a copy of the By-laws of the Australian Library and Information Association (1993) and the ALIA Royal Charter.

Correspondents include John Levett, Colin Steele, Phil Roberts, R. Segal, M. Wathen, Sue Phillips, Frances Awcock, John Brudenall and Alan Bundy.

[Title not available], October 1988 - April 1989 (File 1) - Box 2 (MS 9778)
[Title not available], March 1989 - June 1989 (File 2) - Box 2 (MS 9778)
[Title not available], July 1989 - October 1989 (File 3) - Box 2 (MS 9778)
[Title not available], November - December 1989 (File 4) - Box 2 (MS 9778)
[Title not available], January 1990 - January 1991 (File 5) - Box 2 (MS 9778)
[Title not available], March 1992 - September 1996 (File 6) - Box 2 (MS 9778)

Series 3. Library Association of Australia papers, 1937-1989

The series contains papers of the LAA relating to branch by-laws, school libraries, teacher librarians, the Commission for the Future (1986-1989), meetings, conferences, and the Council on School libraries in Australia. Discussion of the role of teacher librarians and their membership of ALIA. There are papers on information skills, teacher librarians, online information needs, the LAA, and staff employment conditions and salary comparisons between libraries and other organisations. Correspondents include J. G. Dwyer, Alan Bundy.

School libraries, 1985-1988. Includes the paper Information skills, the teacher and the teacher-librarian by Mairead Browne and Janet Hansen. School Libraries Committee, 1988-1989 (File 1) - Box 3 (MS 9778)
Commission for the Future correspondence, 1986-1987. Includes the paper: Library resources in the age of information technology by A. Edwards. (File 2) - Box 3 (MS 9778)
Historical notes of the Library Association of Australia (1937-1961) and the Australian Institute of Librarians Constitution, Sydney, (1938) (File <emph render="italic">3<_emph>) - Box 3 (MS 9778)
Salary and condition comparisons, 1989 (File 4) - Box 3 (MS 9778)

Series 4. ALIA headquarters, 1988-1990

The series relates to the decision to relocate ALIA Headquarters from Sydney to Canberra. Subjects include the initial decision, valuation and sale of the Ultimo site, application for the Canberra lease, tenders for the building, LAA restructure and membership, and staff relocation. Includes minutes, discussions, lease plans, valuations, cost plans, building design and plans, landscaping, tender, site meeting minutes and press releases.

[Title not available], 1988 (File 1) - Box 3 - 4 (MS 9778)
[Title not available], 1988 (File 2) - Box 3 - 4 (MS 9778)
[Title not available], 1989 (File 3) - Box 3 - 4 (MS 9778)
[Title not available], 1989 (File 4) - Box 4 (MS 9778)
[Title not available], 1989 (File 5) - Box 4 (MS 9778)
[Title not available], 1989 (File 6) - Box 4 (MS 9778)

Laying of the foundation stone

[Title not available], 1989-1990 (File 7) - Box 4 (MS 9778)
[Title not available], 1990 (File 8) - Box 4 (MS 9778)
[Title not available], 1990 Opening of ALIA Headquarters, Canberra (File 9) - Box 4 (MS 9778)
National Headquarters, Australian Library and Information Association final sketch plan report / Philip Cox, Richardson and Taylor Partners Pty Ltd, March 1989 (2 copies) (folio) (File 10) - Folio-Box shared, Folio-Box 1

Series 5. Publications

Subseries 5_1. Publications by Averill Edwards
'Librarian on the line' in The Australian way, August 1989 (File 1) - Box 5 (MS 9778)
'Conspectus at the National Library of Australia: chipping away at the mountain', in Australian library review, v. 8 no. 2, May 1991 (File 2) - Box 5 (MS 9778)
Copyright workshop proceedings : proceedings of a copyright workshop held at the National Library of Australia, 1 June 1981. Canberra : Library Association of Australia, 1981 (File 3) - Box 5 (MS 9778)
'Celebrating 60 years of presidents' in InCite v., 18, Jan. 1997 (File 4) - Box 5 (MS 9778)
'Legal collections of the National Library of Australia' in ALLG newsletter, no. 104, Jun 1991 (File 5) - Box 5 (MS 9778)
'Libraries and librarians; an undervalued asset' in Australian and New Zealand theological library association newsletter, no. 6, Dec. 1988 (File 6) - Box 5 (MS 9778)
'Library resources in the age of information technology' in Challenges and change: Australia's information society / edited by Trevor Barr. Melbourne: OUP, 1987 (File 7) - Box 5 (MS 9778)
'Library technicians in Australia: a problem of definition' in Proceedings of the Third National Conference of Library Technicians, 27-30 March, 1985. Canberra, 1985 (File 8) - Box 5 (MS 9778)
'National information policy'. in ASLA IX: 9th Biennial Conference of the Australian School Library Association, 26-30 Sept. 1985. Brisbane: ASLA, 1987 (File 9) - Box 5 (MS 9778)
A national information policy for Australia: discussion paper. Canberra, Dept. of Science, 1985 (File 10) - Box 5 (MS 9778)
Gateways. National Library of Australia no. 29, Sept 1997 (File 11) - Box 5 (MS 9778)
National Library of Australia news, Oct 1994 (File 12) - Box 5 (MS 9778)
National Library of Australia news, Jan 1998 (File 13) - Box 5 (MS 9778)
NLA times : a service to the staff v. 1 no. 3, 27 Nov 1997 (File 14) - Box 5 (MS 9778)
'New access services from the National Library of Australia' in Australian and New Zealand theological library association newsletter, no. 27, Dec. 1995 (File 15) - Box 5 (MS 9778)
'The SALSSAH experience', by Averill M. B. Edwards, presented by Marie Sexton in Australian bibliographic network: first ABN conference 12-14 July 1983, Melbourne. Papers and proceedings. Canberra : National Library of Australia, 1983 (File 16) - Box 5 (MS 9778)
Subject specialisation in the National Library of Australia in Australian and New Zealand theological library association newsletter, no. 21, Dec. 1993 (File 17) - Box 5 (MS 9778)
A vision for the future; ALIA in the approach to the 21st century in The Australian Library Journal vol. 39, no. 1, Feb. 1990 (File <emph render="italic">18<_emph>) - Box 5 (MS 9778)
Subseries 5_2. Publications contributed to or overseen by Edwards
Acquisitions newsletter no. 45, March 1980 (Item 1) - Box 5 (MS 9778)
The aged in Australia: a research guide and select bibliography of Australian publications. Prepared by the National Library of Australia to mark the International Year of Older Persons, 1999, compiled by Roy Jordan. Canberra, National Library of Australia, 1999 (Item 2) - Box 5 (MS 9778)
The higher Defence organisation in Australia: final report of the Defence Review Committee, 1982. Canberra, Dept. of Defence, 1982 (Item 3) - Box 5 (MS 9778)
How and where directory: an index to informational material issued by official and commercial organisations, by Leslie V. Thomas. Sydney, School Library Association of New South Wales, 1965 (Item 4) - Box 5 (MS 9778)
Papers presented at the National Information Policy Seminar, 7-8 December 1981. Library Association of Australia, 1981 (Item 5) - Box 6 (MS 9778)
Library for the nation, edited by Peter Biskup and Margaret Henty. Canberra, National Library of Australia, 1991 (Item 6) - Box 6 (MS 9778)
Minister and Department of Defence support: interim report of the Defence Review Committee. Canberra, Dept. of Defence, 1982 (Item 7) - Box 6 (MS 9778)
Priorities for the future: proceedings of the first National Reference and information Service Section Conference and the University, College and Research libraries Section Workshop on Research, ed. By Peter Clayton and Russell McCaskie. Canberra, ALIA, 1992 (Item 8) - Box 6 (MS 9778)
Towards a quality service: goals, objectives and standards for public libraries in Australia. Canberra, ALIA, 1990 (Item 9) - Box 6 (MS 9778)
Subseries 5_3. Books presented to Averill Edwards
An enthusiasm for libraries, ed. by Jean P. Whyte and Neil A. Radford. Melbourne, Ancora, 1988. [Signed by Harrison Bryan] (Item 1) - Box 6 (MS 9778)
Best books for children (The Ashton Scholastic guide), by Belle Alderman. Sydney, Ashton Scholastic, 1989 (Item 2) - Box 6 (MS 9778)
The funding of wisdom, by K. A. Lodewycks. Melbourne, Spectrum, 1982. [Signed by K. Lodewycks] (Item 3) - Box 6 (MS 9778)
Reflections of reality? Anne M. Hazell. Blackwood, S. Aust, Auslib Press, 1989 (Item 4) - Box 6 (MS 9778)

Series 6. Uniting Church in Australia

Edwards was active within the Uniting Church in Australia at the Regional and State level and in 2004 was the only laywoman to have been Presbytery Chairperson. This file contains information on the use of copyright material by churches.

[Title not available], 1981- 1987 (File 1) - Box 6 (MS 9778)

Class MS Acc08.199. Consignment Added 2008

Series. 4th month, 4 year reviews

Assessment of Call for Rev D'Arcy Wood, Rev Jennifer Farrell, Rev Ron Reeson, Rev Geraldine Leonard, Rev Ros Kingham, Rev Pam Crispin, 1993 - 2007 (File 16) - Box 4 (MS Acc08.199)

Series. Assorted working groups and reviews

Woden Valley Task force, Budget Task Force, Review of role of PRC Secretary, Report on UCA presence in Lanyon, ACT, Mission Reference Committee and other assorted admin./structural matters, Pilgrim House Policy Committee membership, Aug. 1996-2004 (File 14) - Box 3 (MS Acc08.199)

Matters involving personal activity in various management roles within the Presbytery post Chairperson role.

Review of Tuggeranong Uniting Congregation and Weston Creek Congregation - Survey, results, minutes, recommendations, reports, 1994-1997 (File 5) - Box 2 (MS Acc08.199)
Structural review of Presbytery - Working papers, agenda, drafts and spreadsheets, 1999-2001 (File 15) - Box 4 (MS Acc08.199)

At 2000 a review of the structure of the Presbytery was necessary

Series. Brindabella Christian College

Agenda, working papers, reviews, reports to Presbytery and Synod, 2000-2001 (File 18) - Box 4 (MS Acc08.199)

My involvement in this school only

Series. Chairperson of Presbytery

Orders of Service for ordinations, inductions, official functions, administrative matters, agenda, 1993 (File 1-2) - Box 1 (MS Acc08.199)

some original letters to the Chairperson on a variety of matters.

Orders of Service for ordinations, inductions, official functions, administrative matters, agenda, issues., 1994 (File 3-4) - Box 1 (MS Acc08.199)

includes original letters but no formal minutes or agenda of meetings.

letters, papers, agenda on administrative matters, issues, Jan-June 1994 (File 6) - Box 2 (MS Acc08.199)
letters, papers, agenda on administrative matters, issues, June - Dec1994 (File 7) - Box 2 (MS Acc08.199)

Series. Homosexuality - Assembly Resolution 84 and Task Group

Papers, some minutes, statements concerning this matter for the Weston Creek Congregation., 2003 (File 13) - Box 3 (MS Acc08.199)

Averill was Chairperson of Church Council when this matter arose but resigned when it was clear the Council had different views

Minutes, submissions, drafts of the Group set up by Canberra Region presbytery to deal with this issue., 1994-1995 (File 12) - Box 3 (MS Acc08.199)

Series. Kilby Fellowship fund

Constitution, amendments, agenda and minutes, 1989-1991 (File 4) - Box 2 (MS Acc08.199)

Series. Korean congregation conflict

Letters between the congregation and the Presbytery office, 1994 (File 11) - Box 3 (MS Acc08.199)

Series. Mirinjani Constitution review and Management review report

reasons for review, responses, start of process, letters between Mirinjani Board, Synod Aged Care and the presbytery, 1991-1996 (File 9) - Box 3 (MS Acc08.199)
letters between Canberra Central Parish and Presbytery, 1996 - 1997 (File 10) - Box 3 (MS Acc08.199)

Series. Mission Development Worker position and Management Committee

Establishment of position, appointment, Management Review Committee, Support Group, two final reports, correspondence, agenda, reports, 2002-2007 (File 17) - Box 4 (MS Acc08.199)

I was a member of the selection team, the support team, Management C'tee

Series. National Centre for Christianity and Australian culture

Agenda, letters, reports, 1994-1997 (File 2) - Box 2 (MS Acc08.199)

deals with the development of the concept of an ecumencial Christian centre in Canberra.

Series. NSW Synod

Complaints - member of committees to investigate, 1999 (File 19) - Box 4 (MS Acc08.199)

Much of this material is in the Synod archives.

Series. Presbytery Bulletin 1992-1994

Contains the contribution of the Chairperson each month, Dec 1992-Dec 1994 (File 1) - Box 2 (MS Acc08.199)

Deals with issues and events involving the Chairperson

Series. Presbytery matters

Orders of Service for inductions, commissioning, other matters for which a Chairperson is required or desired., 1995-2007 (File 5) - Box 1 (MS Acc08.199)

Consultation with Monaro congregation included.

Letters,papers, reviews of South Tuggeranong, St Ninian's East Belconnen parishes., 1980 -1993 (File 8) - Box 2 (MS Acc08.199)

Consultations with three parishes

Series. Professional papers

Papers prepared for publication, given at conferences, seminars together with some book reviews of the published papers, 1978-1988 (File 20) - Box 5 (MS Acc08.199)

librarianship only

Papers prepared for publication, given at conferences, seminars together with some book reviews of the published papers, 1979-1992 (File 21) - Box 5 (MS Acc08.199)

Librarianship only

Series. Strategic Plans

Development of strategic plan for NSW Synod and then the for the Presbytery of Canberra Region., 1996-97 (File 3) - Box 2 (MS Acc08.199)

Class MS Acc13.054. Consignment Added 2013

Comprises papers relating to Averill Edward's involvement in various organisations, including; the Uniting Church of Australia, including for the NSW Synod, the Canberra Region Presbytery and the Weston Creek congregation; the Presbytery Research and Planning Committee; the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) and the National Library of Australia; the Braddon Tennis Club.

National Library of Australia working papers, 1980-2009 (File 1) - Box 1 (MS Acc13.054)

Reports, correspondence, papers and addresses given by Averill at of the National and International level in the Library sector

Act and NSW Presbytery Synod, 1998-2011 (File 2) - Box 1 (MS Acc13.054)

Includes Presbytery News, letters regarding Synod, sexual misconduct, training, committees

Braddon Tennis Club, 1968-2010 (File 3) - Box 1 (MS Acc13.054)

Meeting agendas and notes

Greenhills Centre, 2008-2011 (File 4) - Box 1 (MS Acc13.054)

Greenhills administration documents while Averill was Chairperson of the Board - includes meeting agendas and notes

Uniting Church Australia - Western Creek, 2003-2012 (File 5) - Box 2 (MS Acc13.054)

Order of Services; emails and planning papers for 'Gathering of Fellowship' - a forum relating to homosexuals within the church

Uniting Church Australia - Greenhills, 2010-2012 (File 6) - Box 2 (MS Acc13.054)

Papers relating to the administration and planning of the facility while Averill was Chairperson of the Board; includes copy of Dare to Dream by Max Hill OAM

Uniting Church Australia - Greenhills notebook, 2009-2011 (File 7) - Box 2 (MS Acc13.054)

Averill's handwritten notes and copies of board meeting agendas

ALIA, 1987-2000 (File 8) - Box 2 (MS Acc13.054)

Articles written by and about Averill as President of ALIA; working papers including draft annotated reports; Letters and cards congratulating Averill on her election to Vice President of LAA

Uniting Church Australia Synod of NSW, 1999-2007 (File 9) - Box 2 (MS Acc13.054)

Opening service address, emails, review of roles, correspondence and reports regarding Synod

Uniting Church Australia - Review of Mission Development Worker, 2007 (File 10) - Box 2 (MS Acc13.054)

Papers include emails, survey, Minority and standing committee reports

Uniting Church Australia, 1978-2004 (File 11) - Box 3 (MS Acc13.054)

Service and event booklets, copies of Presbytery News, Addresses, Synod material correspondence, reports and sermons; includes Commissioning of Elders booklet (1978)

Uniting Church Australia - Presbytery of Canberra, 1995-2007 (File 12) - Box 3 (MS Acc13.054)

Material relating to Brindabella Christian College including copy of 2001 review; Uniting Church of Australia planning committee - includes progress reports

ALIA, 2005-2013 (File 13) - Box 3 (MS Acc13.054)

Uniting Church Australia - Weston Creek, 2003-2011 (File 14) - Box 3 (MS Acc13.054)

Praise and fellowship group papers

Uniting Church Australia - Presbytery Gungahlin, 1996-2013 (File 15) - Box 3 (MS Acc13.054)

Planning documents, Feasibility Study and Implementation reports; Standing committee papers


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