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Archiver > AUS-VIC-MECH-INST > 2007-04 > 1177287110


From: "Pam Baragwanath" <>
Subject: Re: [AUS-VIC-MECH-INST] Fwd: Re: Melbourne Public Librarytravellingbook box
Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2007 10:11:50 +1000
In-Reply-To: <6.2.3.4.2.20070421185508.02ba7ba8@pop.netspace.net.au>


Linda, not sure if I thanked you for those wonderful photos, just fantastic
stuff. Considerable library collection,(s) looking good. Can I send it to
the the MIRC - MI Resource Centre currently being established at PMI?
Opening officially in November, -07.
Pam.

-----Original Message-----
From:
[mailto:] On Behalf Of Linda
Barraclough
Sent: Saturday, 21 April 2007 7:01 PM
To:
Subject: [AUS-VIC-MECH-INST] Fwd: Re: Melbourne Public Library
travellingbook box

Hi Everyone,

Thought you might be interested in the final outcome of enquiries into the
Box Book (prob. ex Narracan Mechanics' Institute) in the collection at Old
Gippstown (Moe). So the reply from the State Library of Victoria is below.

If anyone knows of any other intact ones in a collection anywhere else, we
would be interested to hear.

Once again, a photograph (third one down) is at:
http://gippslandheritagepark.blogspot.com/2007/04/mechanics-institutes-libra
ries.html

Must take another photo, that shows the handles and railway stickers on the
side. It was obviously designed to arrive on the train, and an easy two-man
lift.

Cheers

Linda


>Dear Linda,
>
>I am writing in reply to your recent email in which you seek
>information on a Travelling Library book box.
>
>A couple of these book boxes have survived however they are lacking the
>sliding doors.They were rescued by members of the cataloguing department.
>
>I was able to consult two librarians who have been working here since
>1959 and one thought that the boxes were in use until the late 1960's.
>However, the former head of the External Services section said that
>they were still in use in the mid 1970's. She thought that they were
>first used in the 1920's.
>
>A brief article on the Public Library by Ernest Pitt (the Chief
>Librarian in 1934) in a publication titled Centenary journal 1934-35
>Souvenir ed, editor L. L. Politzer Melbourne: Collinson, 1934 states
>that in April ,
>1859 the Trustees purchased 500 volumes for circulation amongst the
>dwellers of country towns, thus introducing the system of circulating
>cases of books, a system later known as "travelling libraries" and one
>destined to become a common feature of Australian libraries, and to be
>adopted later in America and elsewhere.
>
>I hope that the information provided helps to answer your queries
>
>
>Regards
>Gerry Brody
>
>Access & Information Division
>State Library of Victoria
>
>03 8664 7002


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