46/47 <strong>Library</strong> Board <strong>of</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> Annual Report O7—O8
Image Robert Hooke, Micrographia, or, some Physiological Descriptions <strong>of</strong> Minute Bodies Made by Magnifying Glasses. London, printed by J Martyn and J Allestry, 1665. From The World <strong>of</strong> the Book Communications The range <strong>of</strong> information, display and marketing material produced by the writers, editors and graphic designers in the Publications and Communications Division has grown considerably over the past year, reflecting an increase in the <strong>Library</strong>’s programs, events and activities. With growing visitor numbers to the Swanston Street building and to the <strong>Library</strong>‘s website, demand continues to increase for customerinformation material to help visitors access collections and services onsite and online, and for signage and brochures providing ‘what’s on’ information and highlighting the <strong>Library</strong>’s permanent and temporary exhibitions. New programs and activities engaging onsite and online <strong>Library</strong> visitors as well as the broader community <strong>of</strong> public library users have resulted in branding strategies and promotional materials to support successful initiatives including ergo, insideadog’s Inky Awards and the Summer Read. Material was also produced to promote online access to <strong>Library</strong> resources for registered users throughout <strong>Victoria</strong>. The exhibitions Famous: Karin Catt Portraits and <strong>Victoria</strong>ns on Vacation and related event programs were supported by a suite <strong>of</strong> materials, including room brochures, portico display banners, press advertisements, invitations, event booklets and fl iers. The array <strong>of</strong> event and learning programs, the international conference, and the strong sponsorship support associated with The Medieval Imagination saw the <strong>Library</strong>’s designers working on a greatly expanded promotional suite. In addition to the usual materials, they created everything from freeway billboards, tram-stop signs and public transport tickets, to conference programs, teachers’ notes and postcards. Corporate publications produced in the past year included three editions <strong>of</strong> <strong>State</strong> <strong>Library</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> News, the <strong>Library</strong>’s annual plan, the <strong>Library</strong> Board <strong>of</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong>’s annual <strong>report</strong>, and new corporate, Foundation and tourist brochures. Document suites for the Australian <strong>Library</strong> and Information Association and Open Road conferences were also produced. In preparation for the latter half <strong>of</strong> 2008, signifi cant work has already begun on a number <strong>of</strong> projects including Sport and War and the <strong>Victoria</strong>n Premier’s Literary Awards. Publishing The prime strategic objective <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Library</strong>’s publishing program is to increase access in print and online to the <strong>Library</strong>’s rich collections, making its unique materials available to new audiences. The aim is to expand the scope <strong>of</strong> the publishing program to encompass both academic and general audiences and, wherever possible, to leverage the <strong>Library</strong>’s organisational skills and knowledge. The collection-based publishing program has continued to grow over the past year, thanks to fruitful collaborative relationships with publishing partners, authors – from both within and outside the <strong>Library</strong> – designers and, in many cases, philanthropic supporters. The 2007–08 book-publishing program reflects these successful and much-valued partnerships. With respect to online publishing and with the generous assistance <strong>of</strong> the Foundation, the <strong>Library</strong> launched The La Trobe Journal website in July 2007, a result <strong>of</strong> collaboration with the New Zealand Electronic Text Centre at the <strong>Victoria</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Wellington. Visitation fi gures have grown steadily and in the past year almost 280,000 visitors accessed the site. Philanthropic trusts and individual donors have made a number <strong>of</strong> publications possible which, while meeting the <strong>Library</strong>‘s strategic objectives relating to collection access and new audiences, may otherwise not have passed the test <strong>of</strong> commercial viability for our publishing partners. Strangers in a Foreign Land: The Journal <strong>of</strong> Niel Black and Other Voices from the Western District is one such example. The book reproduces in its entirety the compelling journal <strong>of</strong> the infl uential Western District settler who arrived from Scotland in 1839. Historian Dr Maggie MacKellar puts that journal in context and draws on other documents that illuminate life in the early period <strong>of</strong> Western District settlement. The book’s publication was initiated and generously supported by Maria Myers AO. The Art <strong>of</strong> the Collection and The World <strong>of</strong> the Book, both published in association with The Miegunyah Press, and both published with donor support, were <strong>of</strong> special signifi cance for the <strong>Library</strong> as they not only showcase in splendid publications important areas <strong>of</strong> the collection, but they also demonstrate the impressive knowledge <strong>of</strong> <strong>Library</strong> staff. Curators <strong>of</strong> the Mirror <strong>of</strong> the World exhibition, Des Cowley and Clare Williamson, were co-authors <strong>of</strong> The World <strong>of</strong> the Book, which was acclaimed by reviewers for content and design and was reprinted in 2008. Contributors to The Medieval Imagination catalogue were drawn from eminent scholars across Australia and the world; the publication produced by the <strong>Library</strong>’s partners, Macmillan Art Publishing, did justice to the scholarship, the exhibition and the magnifi cent illuminated manuscripts themselves. In 2009, we look forward to publishing a companion volume <strong>of</strong> papers arising from the conference, Imagination, Books and Community in Medieval Europe. Already in the pipeline for 2008–09 are several publications resulting from ongoing collaborations with Miegunyah, Australian Scholarly Publishing, Macmillan and Thames & Hudson. Published in 2007–08 October 2007 The Art <strong>of</strong> the Collection The Miegunyah Press in association with the <strong>State</strong> <strong>Library</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong>. Published with the support <strong>of</strong> the Agnes Robertson Trust. ‘This book is a wonderful achievement in high-quality, intelligent art publishing.’ Pr<strong>of</strong>. Sasha Grishin, The Canberra Times, 19 January 2007 Perils <strong>of</strong> the Studio Alex Taylor Australian Scholarly Publishing in association with the <strong>State</strong> <strong>Library</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong>. November 2007 The World <strong>of</strong> the Book Des Cowley and Clare Williamson The Miegunyah Press in association with the <strong>State</strong> <strong>Library</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong>. Published with the assistance <strong>of</strong> Maria Myers AO. ‘The World <strong>of</strong> the Book … is erudite, engaging, unpretentious and a visual treat. As a summary <strong>of</strong> the entire history <strong>of</strong> books and ideas, produced by two individuals, it is awesomely comprehensive.’ Ian Morrison, Australian Business Review, December 2007 – January 2008 March 2008 The Medieval Imagination Edited by Bronwyn Stocks and Nigel Morgan Macmillan Art Publishing in association with the <strong>State</strong> <strong>Library</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong>. Published with the support <strong>of</strong> the Agnes Robertson Trust and K.W. Doggett Fine Paper. ‘The catalogue … must be one <strong>of</strong> the most meticulous and sumptuous publications produced for a public exhibition in this country.’ John McDonald, Sydney Morning Herald, 24–25 May 2008. April 2008 Paperback edition Voyages to the South Seas: In Search <strong>of</strong> Terres Australes Danielle Clode (winner <strong>of</strong> the 2007 <strong>Victoria</strong>n Premier’s Literary Award for Non-Fiction) The Miegunyah Press in association with the <strong>State</strong> <strong>Library</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong>. May 2008 Strangers in a Foreign Land: The Journal <strong>of</strong> Niel Black and Other Voices from the Western District Maggie MacKellar The Miegunyah Press in association with the <strong>State</strong> <strong>Library</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong>. Published with the assistance <strong>of</strong> Maria Myers AO.