Assistant National Librarian, 1968-1971

Containers:

Box 7-8

Component identifier:

Series 7

Content Summary:

In May 1967 Athol Johnson, the Assistant National Librarian and heir apparent to Harold White, died suddenly at the age of 49. Although Burmester was nearing retirement age, he was selected by White to fill the unexpected vacancy and was formally appointed in November 1967. In the next three years he was at the centre of major events: the long and complex move of the collections from their many locations leading up to the opening of the National Library building in August 1968, a series of major acquisitions culminating in the purchase of the Ferguson Collection in 1970, the beginning of information retrieval services in Australia with the MEDLARS service in 1969, and the Cook Bicentenary in 1970. White retired in June 1970 and Burmester remained as deputy to Allan Fleming until his own retirement six months later. In 1970 he made a visit to libraries in the United States, his first overseas trip since 1951.

The series mostly contains articles, addresses and talks that Burmester gave on the Library, its collections and the new building. There is also a report on his American trip and a few documents concerning his retirement, including a letter from Allan Fleming.

Immediate source of acquisition:

The papers were donated by C.A. Burmester in many instalments between 1976 and 1989.

Names:

C. A. Burmester

Contents

Access and use