Australian law libraries also had their beginnings with the solicitors and judges of the early colony. The earliest and greatest collection of law books was amassed in Victoria by Sir Redmond Barry. [1] Barry was undoubtedly Australia's greatest advocate of self improvement through self education, permitting early settlers to use his private collection of books residing in his own home. This collection later formed the basis of what we now know as the State Library of Victoria. Redmond Barry was elected to the early Supreme Court of Victoria in 1852, and continued his life long love of libraries by selecting and acquiring books for the new Court library.[2] An item from the Argus Newspaper of 13 May 1853, as recounted on the current Supreme Court website, is worth repeating here:
"Law Library - His Honour Mr Justice Barry yesterday intimated that he would be glad if the Gentlemen of the Bar would nominate two of their body and select two of the other profession to meet him tomorrow at his Chambers, Supreme Court, at two o'clock to determine on such a selection of Law Books, as it might be judged necessary to form the contemplated law library for the use of the profession. His Honour likewise intimated that he had now a fund of £296 in hand from fees, etc, for the purchase of books and as he had taken measures to add another £200 to that sum, the profession might confidently look forward to the nucleus of a valuable library being made. He would like the consultation to take place this day (Friday) in order to send advices per Harbinger."[3]
The first shipment of books had arrived and been set up in the library by mid 1854. The collection was moved to the majestically domed building we use today in 1884.[4]
The State Library of Victoria [5]
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Research notes:
[1] [2]Barry, Sir Redmond, Australian Dictionary of Biography online
http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A030104b.htm
[3][4]http://www.supremecourt.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/Supreme+Court/Home/About+the+Court/History/Library/SUPREME+-+Library+History+-+Home
[5] I noticed multimedia was a component of the marking guide, so I included one picture. Sorry to be a pain, but really no picture/video/sound that I OWN has been relevant to this blog(?)... I took a picture of the State Library Australiana reading room myself so have included it to show I can... Automatic blogger posts insist on placing the pic at the top of the post, so I manually edited the html and shoved it to the bottom. The terms of service of all blogging etc sites clearly state that one must own the copyright to an image to include in the post.. I am no copyright angel, but still, surely it must be important to stick to these rules in a library course.. :)
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