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April 2010 Issue
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Young author makes appeal for library

 Alumni

Meet the public face of the 2010 Barr Smith Library Appeal: highly regarded young author Patrick Allington.

Dr Allington, who has a PhD in Creative Writing from the University of Adelaide, published his widely praised first novel, Figurehead, in July 2009.

He also has a Master of Arts (Politics) and Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from the University, and in March was awarded the $15,000 Barbara Hanrahan Fellowship as part of the Adelaide Festival Awards.

Figurehead - and the writing process behind it - also formed a significant component of his PhD, which he completed in 2005.

Most recently, his novel has been selected for the longlist of Australia's premier literary prize, the Miles Franklin Literary Award.

After spending many undergraduate and postgraduate hours in the Barr Smith Library, Dr Allington knows the impact it can have on a student's learning and subsequent career path.

"I must have borrowed hundreds of books from the Barr Smith Library in my time, so I'm delighted that Figurehead is now on the shelves," Dr Allington said.

"In the digital age, the Barr Smith Library remains a vital part of the student experience at the University of Adelaide. Over the years, it's the diversity of the Library's resources I have most appreciated. I fully endorse the Barr Smith Library Appeal in its efforts to help keep the Library providing the same resources and support that helped me as a student."

University Librarian Ray Choate said the heart of the Barr Smith Library's purpose now, and into the future, is the enabling of outstanding achievement by University students and staff.

"Our goal is to provide the best possible resources in the best possible environment," he said.

"For example, our Special Collections area has just undergone a significant upgrade and refurbishment and is now on Level One of the Library - and part of that is the University authors collection, which features works by University staff and students such as Patrick's.

"It is my hope that the University community can continue to support the Barr Smith Library Appeal so that many more students, like Patrick Allington, go on to see their own works in the Library."

To give, or to find out more about the 2010 Barr Smith Library Appeal, please visit: www.alumni.adelaide.edu.au/bsl

Story by Ben Osborne

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Author Patrick Allington in the historic Reading Room at the Barr Smith Library
Photo by Ben Osborne

Author Patrick Allington in the historic Reading Room at the Barr Smith Library
Photo by Ben Osborne

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