Barr Smith Library has appeal for donors

The annual appeal to raise much-needed funds for one of the State's greatest assets is underway for 2011.

Playing a key role in the educational experience of both students and academics, the Barr Smith Library now has collections of 2.3 million items and offers global access to resources through an ever-growing virtual presence.

While the Library now provides more than 20,000 electronic journals and approximately 80,000 E-Book titles, it still manages 400,000 loans per annum.

The 2011 Barr Smith Library Appeal will provide vital support to ensure the Library continues to cater to the changing needs of students, staff and the community, and provide the best possible range of resources.

"The funds from the 2010 Appeal allowed the Library to acquire and enrich the collections with over 1400 additional titles," said University Librarian Ray Choate.

"Many of these are in areas of interdisciplinary interest which do not otherwise get selected - the need for good current collections to support understanding of Islamic culture and history in our world is one example. We have also been able to acquire extra resources in more expensive specialised areas - such as Art and Art History.

"It is important for a research library of the Barr Smith's status to hold new scholarly editions of seminal authors in Arts and Sciences - an example acquired on 2010 Appeal funds is the modern scholarly edition of the works of Robert Boyle, the 17th century chemist of Boyle's Law fame. Such editions are generally only accessible in special research libraries such as our own Barr Smith Library."

Donations to the 2011 Appeal will assist the Library to continue to expand the collection for the benefit of students, staff, graduates and the general community.

Support can also be provided by joining the Friends of the University of Adelaide Library network which promotes the interests of the Library and offers its members a range of benefits.

For more information about the Barr Smith Library Appeal, the Friends of the University of Adelaide Library, or to make a donation, please contact Development and Alumni on 08 8303 5800, email: development@adelaide.edu.au or go to: www.alumni.adelaide.edu.au/bsl_appeal

Story by Genevieve Sanchez