Jump to Navigation

Fryer Library

The Fryer Library is the Special Collections section of The University of Queensland Library, and is a closed collection. It has an extensive Australian studies collection of published and unpublished material. Its strengths are Australian literature and history. In addition to publications, the collection contains microform, manuscripts, photographs, rare books, theses and other special collections (see below).

1. Primary user groups served

The Australian studies resources principally support the teaching, learning and research activities of the Faculties of Arts, and Social and Behavioural Sciences. University client groups are staff, postgraduate and undergraduate students. The Library's external clientele includes the general public, and staff and students from other academic institutions within Brisbane. Professional researchers such as architects, historians and heritage consultants make use of the collection. The Library attracts scholars from interstate and overseas, particularly to use the manuscript collections.

2. Purpose of the collection

The Australian literature collection primarily supports the research interests of the School of English, Media Studies and Art History. The Australian history and politics collection primarily supports the research interests of the School of History, Philosophy, Religion and Classics.

3. History of the collection

The Students' Dramatic Society commemorated the memory of their late Vice-President, Jack Fryer, by establishing the Fryer Memorial Library of Australian Literature in early 1927, with a modest sum of ten pounds. The initial gift of the Dramatic Society was soon supported by other gifts in money and kind. The Library, with a lecturer in Modern Languages, Frederick Robinson as custodian, was initially opened as a reading room "approached through Dr Robinson's own study". It contained not only works of Australian literature but also background books of Australiana. As custodian of the Fryer Memorial Library, Doc Robbie nurtured its development over some 25 years.

In 1949, the first classes were taught on the St. Lucia campus. The Faculty of Arts moved to St Lucia in that year. The Fryer Library moved from the cramped accommodation at George Street to a "handsome room 30 feet long, under the cloisters of the main St. Lucia building". (Robinson, F.W.) The Library contained a number of bookcases, and had a display case in the centre bay. The Fryer collection was maintained in the English Department until the 1950s when it become part of The University of Queensland Library.

From its humble beginnings, the Fryer Library has built up one of the largest collections of manuscripts in Australian academic libraries, virtually all of it in the area of Australian studies. The collecting of Australian literature commenced in 1927, and deliberately set out to build a research collection of Australian literary works and critical studies on Australian literature. The Hayes collection was acquired in 1967, containing a wealth of Australian literary and historical publications. Most Australian writers of fiction, essays, poetry and literary criticism from the earliest days of Australian writing to the 1960s, are represented in the Hayes collection.

4. Description of the collection

Australian literature:
  • Literary works in most genres. Australian fiction, poetry and drama sections of the collection are collected at research level intensity.
  • Children's literature, westerns and romance writing are not collected. A number of categories of writing are selectively acquired. These include adventure fiction, thrillers, erotic fiction, historical fiction, horror and ghost stories, science fiction, crime writing, privately printed poetry and Australian satire and humour.
  • University of Queensland Press deposit copies of all publications in the Australian literature genre.
  • Autobiography, essays and critical writing about particular authors and themes in Australian literature are collected.
  • Australian popular culture is selectively collected : for example, The Australian Women's Weekly popular fiction series 1937 - 1940 was acquired through a retrospective purchase.
Australian history and politics:

Retrospective Australian historical publications form a major part of the Hayes collection. This covers exploration of Australia as well as social and political historical coverage. Queensland history, including local and school histories, is well represented in the Hayes Collection.

5. Inter-disciplinary relationships

Publications to support the undergraduate teaching program are collected by the Social Sciences and Humanities Library. This necessitates some duplication between the two libraries.

Parts of the collection such as theses, microform, rare books and the Hayes collection support wider cross-disciplinary research interests.

6. Scope of current collecting

  • Languages collected: English (some non-English translations of Australian works are held).
  • Geographical areas collected: Australia.
  • Chronological period collected: Fryer collects current and retrospective Australian material.
  • Types collected: Monographs, journals, microform, theses, manuscripts, pictorial material, ephemera, audio-visual, CD ROM, electronic files.
  • Publication dates: 1700s onwards.
  • Special considerations: Closed access collection. Some restrictions apply on access to manuscript collections.
  • Genre: The Library collects publications, both monographs and journals in the areas listed below. This general section of the policy relates to publications. Reference should be made also to separate sections of this document about other parts of the Fryer collection.

Australian literature:

Current acquisition policy builds on the existing holdings in the Hayes and Fryer collections:

  • The Hayes collection acquired in 1967 contained a wealth of Australian literary and historical publications. Most Australian writers of fiction, essays, poetry and literary criticism from the earliest days of Australian writing to the 1960s are represented in the Hayes collection. It is particularly strong in nineteenth century works including serial publications. Another strength is that Father Hayes collected the works of minor writers. Many of the works in the collection have handwritten annotations by their authors.
  • The Fryer Library collection of Australian literature commenced in 1927 and deliberately set out to build a research collection of Australian literary works and critical studies on Australian literature. Gaps in these retrospective holdings are filled through purchases and donations. Bequest funds are often used for this purpose.
  • Current collecting maintains this goal by acquisitions through a Bennett profile and additional acquisitions from the examination of journal literature, publishers' announcements and sources of information on the Web.
  • Publications examining Australian literature in a broader social, cultural and political context are collected. This may result in some duplication between the Fryer collection and that of the Social Sciences and Humanities Library.
  • Publications concerning cultural policy and organisations are collected. These include histories of Australian theatre companies and other groups associated with the arts.
  • There are subscriptions to the major literary journals. Small literary journals are collected.
  • Primary source materials in the manuscript collection augment the printed holdings.

Australian history and politics:

Selective acquisitions are made to retrospective historical holdings. Current collecting activity focuses generally on works that complement the primary source materials in the manuscript collection. These categories are:

Trade union history in Queensland:

  • Communism and left politics in Australia: 20th Century political pamphlets are well represented in the collection.
  • Public debate on social and political issues: concerns such as aboriginal rights, civil liberties, the environment, homosexuality, multiculturalism and women's rights. A broad spectrum of views are sought. Collecting activity includes pamphlet publications from public interest advocacy groups involved with the promotion of the issues. Pamphlet type publications predominate in the public discussion of these issues. This collection focus complements the collection in the Social Sciences and Humanities library.

Policy documents of Australian political parties:

The collecting focus is national policy statements by the major Australian political parties and policies by parties operating at a state and local level in Queensland. These publications complement the political ephemera in the Vertical File Collection (see entry under 3.5.2)

Queensland history:

Publications concerning most aspects of Queensland history are collected. Collecting activity includes local histories, and church and family histories where these document the history of the region. This focus supports the teaching and research program of the Centre for Applied History and Heritage Studies of the School of History, Philosophy, Religion and Classics.

Australian Art:

Collecting concentrates on limited edition and expensive works on art, and other formats that make housing in the general collection unsuitable. Art exhibition catalogues are collected.

7. Special Collections

1. University of Queensland Publications and Papers

The Library aims to document the history of the University through its official publications and also through the publications of University associations and societies. As well, a "slice of the life" of the University is obtained through primary sources such as photographs and reminiscences of staff and students. The collection is housed in the Fryer Library.

Holdings cover primarily the St Lucia campus, but some coverage of the Gatton and Ipswich campus is reflected in holdings. Publications and primary sources about the development of the University also constitute in part a local history of St Lucia particularly in the early years of the University's development.

1.1 Description of the collection

Official publications: The Library maintains holdings of official publications of the University, such as :

  • Calendar 1911-
  • Ceremony for the Conferring of Awards 1967-
  • Handbooks 1925-
  • Orientation Programme 1968-
  • University of Queensland Gazette 1945-1969
  • University News 1969-

As well, the library collects:

  • Senate Minutes of Meetings 1910- and Senate Business Papers 1987-
  • Annual reports of schools and academic support sections
  • Minutes of the Academic Board and Faculties
  • Strategic planning and other significant reports on University organisation and functions - for example, The University of Queensland Strategic Plan; UQ: Ipswich campus
  • Journal publications of sections of the University - for example :
    • Alumni News
    • Graduate School Grad Post
    • ITS Bulletin
    • Mayne Medical School Newsletter: Graduate School of Medicine newsletter
    • Projects Review: School of Geography, Planning and Architecture
    • Institute of Modern Languages Prospectus
    • Queensland Independent (newspaper of the School of Journalism and Communication)
    • Timeline (Centre for Applied History and Heritage Studies, School of History, Philosophy, Religion and Classics)
    • Teaching Facilities Update

Examination papers: The Fryer Library holds what constitutes a master set of the University's examination papers from 1913 onwards. The University Archives holds some but not a complete set. The papers are in original paper format and are bound. The set does not include any restricted examination papers - that is, those papers not authorised for general circulation. Also the examination papers for the period from 1995 have been digitised and are available from the Library's Web Page within the Library. Ongoing digitisation of the examination papers will occur.

Histories of the University: The Library aims to collect all histories of the University. These can be official histories to commemorate an anniversary and also histories of a section of the University. Examples of these are :

  • An Account of the University of Queensland during its first twenty-five years, 1910-1935 (Brisbane : 1935)
  • University of Queensland Jubilee 1910-1960 (Brisbane: 1960)
  • Thomis, Malcolm I. Place of Light and Learning: the University of Queensland's first seventy-five years (St Lucia : The University of Queensland Press, 1985)
  • Craig-Smith, Stephen J. Gatton College: 100 years of science with practice by Stephen J Craig-Smith, Craig J Pearson, and Juliet C Middleton (Brisbane : University of Queensland, 1996)
  • Gourlay, M. 75 years of civil engineering at the University of Queensland (St Lucia : Dept of Civil Engineering, 1985)
  • Duchesne College 1937-1989: from acorn to oak (Brisbane : Boolarong, 1989)
  • From Many Nations : a history of International House 1955 to 1994 (Brisbane : International House, 1995)
  • Schiavo, John. Union College : a history by John Schiavo, Peggy Burke and Ross Johnston (St Lucia : Union College, 1997)

Colleges, clubs and societies: Publications of University colleges, clubs and societies are sought. These include publications of the Sports and Physical Recreation Association and student society magazines such as from the Law Students Society, Queensland Dental Association and University of Queensland Medical Society.

The University of Queensland Student Union: The University of Queensland Student Union has a long publishing record. The Queensland University Magazine published by the Student's Association commenced in 1913. This was later called Galmahra (1921-1968). The student newspaper Semper Floreat (now called Semper) commenced in 1932. Fryer has holdings of these. As well, the Union Commemoration Song Books (1920 - 1940) and Whacko (1935-1972) was a forum for satirical comment and humour.

The Library continues to collect Student Union publications. Some of these have a relatively short life. Those with some longevity include The Higher Degree (1978-), Orientation publications (1979-) and Her-etical (1990-) publication of the Women's Rights Area of the Union. The records of the Student Union are held in Fryer's manuscript collection (UQFL 194) in 202 manuscript boxes. These records date from 1911 and contain the following series of records:

  • Minutes of meetings : Includes UQ Union Council (1911 - 1981), Annual General Meetings, Executive Committee, and Financial Advisory Committee. Also contains minutes and papers of University of Queensland Committees with Union participation.
  • UQ Student Union Publications & Student Union Publications from other institutions : Includes UQ annual reports, Semper Floreat (1933-1972), commemorative day material, annual reports of sports unions, orientation publications, handbooks, booklets and student magazines

University of Queensland Union Subject Series : Includes subject files about UQ Union Buildings, Commemorative week, various Union Committees, Finances, membership, publications, organisations with which UQU is associated, services to students, involvement with other Australian Universities, UQ Colleges, NUAUS, university reform, conferences and student issues.

Clubs & Societies : Contains requisitions, correspondence, periodicals, application forms, financial records
Photographs

These records are an important record of the administration of the Student Union and of the spirit of student life through the years. The records document student issues and preoccupations. The collection will be added to with future accessions of records.

Other collections: Other university-related papers in the Fryer manuscript collection can be categorised as :

  • Collections of personal papers of individuals associated with the University, for example :
  • J.D. Fryer (UQFL 23) - biographical papers of Jack Fryer, the English Honours student after whom the Fryer Library was named
  • R. Hawken (UQFL 244) - biographical papers on Engineering Professor, Roger Hawken
  • Dorothy Hill (UQFL 25) - professional and personal papers of geologist, Dorothy Hill
  • Dan O'Neill (UQFL 132) - papers containing material on the socialist movement on campus, the Vietnam War protest and other political issues
  • S.A. Rayner (UQFL 297) - research files on University history
  • F.W. Robinson (UQFL 5) - papers dealing with early planning and development of the St Lucia campus

Records of university groups and associations - such as the Dramatic Society records (UQFL 135), University of Queensland Hockey Club (UQFL 136) and Australian Federation of University of Women (UQFL 176)

Reminiscences of students - in the past these have been acquired mainly through Alumni Reunions where participants have been encouraged to record or write their memories of student life and to deposit photographs. The value of these items is the documentation of the informal side of University life. This is an area of collection development that has scope for further development. Hilda Brotherton's memoir and photographs ca. 1908-1968 (Ms F130) are an example of this type of item. She was one of the University's first graduates.

Photographs:

  • George Street site
  • St Lucia site before establishing of the university
  • Buildings and grounds : Great Court buildings
  • Buildings and grounds : St Lucia campus buildings other than Great Court buildings
  • Buildings and grounds : Off-campus
  • Grounds
  • Library
  • Ceremonies
  • Research, teaching and business, cultural and support facilities
  • Students
  • Alumni
  • Staff, and benefactors, and official associates of the university

Oral history tapes:

  • The 75th dinner of the University of Queensland English Department : speeches by David Malouf, Ken Hamilton
  • The University of Queensland Alumni Association 5th Annual Dinner, 1985 : speaker, Sir Walter Campbell
  • Gwen Hughes : her experience at University in its second year. Gwen Hughes interviewed by Ruth Tarlo

Site plans of the early development of the University - these are mostly from the collection of F.W. Robinson who was involved with the early St. Lucia site design. (Later site plans are part of the Property and Facilities Division's collection and form part of the University's records).

Records of the University of Queensland Press, from 1965 onwards. The collection in particular documents the growth of the Press and its influence on the publishing of Australian literature. This archive undergoes regular addition. The Library contributed to the Press's 50th anniversary history by providing a guide to these records.

Some programmes for University events and concerts are acquired.

The Library will continue to collect any of the record categories listed above. The University Archives' collection policy is in a separate part of this document. The Archives retains the official records deemed of permanent value to the University (See 3.10). The Fryer Library collects personal papers and items relating to the University's history. In providing an information service concerning the University's administration and history, the Archives and Fryer Library have a collaborative relationship.

Newspaper cuttings: Newspaper cuttings for the period 1911-1988 were collected and compiled into volumes by volunteers. A volunteer also indexed the clippings. These volumes are a valuable coverage of reporting of university activities for the period. This compilation ceased in 1988 and collecting newspaper clippings is no longer being maintained.

Political and cultural ephemera: The Library collects political and cultural ephemera from the University. This includes handout material generated by student groups usually related to social and political issues of the day. These are referred to as the Vertical Files and have been an important source of documentation on student politics and radicalism of the 1960s and 1970s. These have been well used by researchers. Examples of these files include:

  • University Anarchists
  • University Conscription Committee
  • University of Queensland Aboriginal Land Rights Support Group
  • University of Queensland Country Party Club
  • University of Queensland Women's Rights Committee

Collecting this type of material requires building up networks of contacts with student activists and is an area of collection development where more activity can occur in the future.

2. Rare (Restricted Access) Material
2.1 Primary user groups served

Staff and students of the University.

2.2 Description

Publications may be placed in this collection in the Fryer Library because of their age, rarity, commercial value, fragility, physical format or subject matter.

Some publications such as art books containing loose or large plates would be vulnerable on the open shelves.

2.3 Purpose of the collection

The following categories of publications are represented in the collection :

  • Early printed books and manuscripts: Includes incunables from the early days of printing before 1500. Examples are :
  • Pope Gregory IX. Decretales cum apparatu domini Bernardi et lucubrationibus Hieronymi Clarii (Nuremburg: Anton Koberger, 1493)
  • Fragments of a medieval manuscript relating to the liturgy of Holy Thursday

British and European publications from the seventeenth and eighteenth century: Includes those relating to the discovery and exploration of Australia and the Pacific:

  • Cook, James 1728-1779. A voyage towards the South Pole and round the world : performed in His Majesty's ships the 'Resolution' and 'Adventure', in the years 1772, 1773, 1774 and 1775 / written by James Cook, Commander of the 'Resolution'. 2nd edition. (London : Printed for W. Strahan and T. Cadell, 1777)
  • Parkinson, Sydney, 1745?-1771. A journal of a voyage to the South Seas : in His Majesty's ship, the Endeavour the command of Captain James Cook faithfully transcribed from the papers of the late Sydney Parkinson, Draughtsman to Joseph Banks, Esq. on his late expedition with Dr. Solander round the world. (London : printed for Stanfield Parkinson, the editor, 1773)
  • The voyages of Governor Phillip to Botany Bay : with an account of the establishment of the colonies of Port Jackson and Norfolk Island, compiled from authentic papers : to which are added the Journals of Lieuts. Shortland, Watts, Ball & Capt. Marshall with an account of their new discoveries. 3rd edition. (London : Stockdale, 1790)
  • Hawkesworth, John 1715?-1773. An account of the voyages undertaken by the order of His present Majesty for making discoveries in the southern hemisphere : and successively performed by Commodore Byron, Captain Wallis, Captain Carteret and Captain Cook in the Dolphin, the Swallow and the Endeavour : drawn up from the journals which were kept by several commanders, and from the papers of Joseph Banks. 2nd edition. (London : printed for W. Strahan, and T. Cadell, 1773)

Books considered rare because of the nature of their publishing or association: Includes limited editions, first editions of significance, and editions of special note such as pirated or surreptitious editions:

  • C.C. Kohler (Firm). 19th century British drama : a collection of 750 items (Dorking, Surrey : C.C. Kohler, 1982) (750 original playscripts)
  • Dickens, Charles 1812-1870. Bleak house / by Charles Dickens; with illustrations by H. K. Browne (London : Bradbury and Evans, 1853). First edition issued in monthly serial publications
  • James, Henry 1843-1916. The ambassadors (London : Methuen, 1903)

Books of aesthetic importance: Includes fine printing and private press books:

  • Morris, William 1834-1896. The story of Cupid and Psyche / William Morris ; with illus. designed by Edward Burne-Jones, mostly engr. on wood by William Morris ; the introd. by A. R. Dufty (London : Clover Hill Editions, 1974).
  • 3 volumes. Designed and printed by Will and Sebastian Carter at the Rampant Lions Press, Cambridge. This is a 2 vol. set plus which contains a set of collotype prints of the 47 original Cupid and Psyche drawings and a set of proofs of the 44 wood engravings.
  • Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm 1844-1900. The antichrist : a new version in English / by P. R. Stephensen ; with illus. by Norman Lindsay (London : Fanfrolico Press, )
  • Stephensen, P. R. (Percy Reginald) 1901-1965. The legend of Aleister Crowley : being a study of the documentary evidence relating to a campaign of personal vilification unparalleled in literary history (London : Mandrake Press, 1930)

Science fiction and fantasy: The Donald Tuck collection was acquired in 1983. This comprised significant holdings of early pulp magazines, such as Astounding/Analog, The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, Galaxy, and New Worlds Science Fiction. The original collection of Donald Tuck has continued to grow through donation. Fantasy fiction is one of the teaching streams of the University's School of English, Media Studies and Art History.

Parasitology collection: Covers the history of the development of the study of parasitology. This collection was named in honour of Professor John Sprent, the leading Australian scholar in the field of parasitology. It had been a collection in the University's School of Molecular and Microbial Sciences. It includes rare volumes of the works of Linnaeus and other early scientific works. It contains significant volumes charting the development of the study of parasitology into the twentieth century:

  • Linnaeus, Carl 1707-1778. A system of vegetables according to their classes, orders, genera, species : with their characters and differences in two volumes. Translated from the 13th ed., as published by Murray, of the Systema Vegetabilium of the late Professor Linneus and from the Supplementum Plantarum of the present Professor Linneus, by a member of the Botanical Society at Lichfield (Lichfield : Printed by John Jackson for Leigh and Sotherby, 1783). 2 volumes
  • Redi, Francisci 1626-1698. Experimenta circa generationem insectorum : ad nobilissimum virum Carolum Dati (Amstelodami, Sumptibus Andreae Frisii, 1671)

Natural History: especially covers botany and ornithology:

  • Mathews, Gregory Macalister 1876-1949. The birds of Australia (London : Witherby, 1910-)
  • Martyn, Thomas, fl. 1760-1816. The universal conchologist : exhibiting the figure of every known shell accurately drawn and painted after nature / with a new systematic arrangement by the author Thomas Martyn. (London : Thomas Martyn, 1789-)

Some exceptionally controversial works and some erotica: Humphry, Derek 1930-. Final exit : the practicalities of self-deliverance and assisted suicide for the dying

2.4 Scope of current collecting
2.4.1. Languages collected: Mostly English, other languages represented.
2.4.2. Publication dates: 1493 onwards.
2.4.3. Special considerations:

Repair and boxing of rare books is undertaken by the Fryer Library's specialist bookbinder or by Fryer staff for simple conservation work. Some volumes in the collection have been relocated to Rare Books from general and special locations in Branch libraries. Botanical and ornithological volumes in this category have been transferred from the Biological Sciences Library.

Additions to the Rare Book collection are made through the identification of new and existing material in the Library's total collection, by donation of material or by purchase. The current collecting focus for the Rare Book collection is to continue to build on its existing strengths in Australian and Queensland history and literature, while also acquiring materials to support the study of book history. Purchases are occasional and may be funded by bequest or other special funding.

3. Manuscripts

The Fryer Library began collecting manuscripts from the late 1960s when the Library received the Hayes collection. This substantial collection included not only publications but also manuscripts of literary and historical importance. The manuscript collection is now an extensive primary source resource for Australian studies throughout the University. It also attracts scholars from interstate and overseas.

3.1 Purpose of the collection

The manuscript collection is a valuable source of original material for research. The research value is not only the information contained in items in the collection but also the organic unity represented by the relationship between files and items within the collection as a whole. An example of this is the relationship between a notebook of background notes and the draft in a collection of literary papers. Manuscript collections are arranged according to the principles of provenance - that is papers and records are maintained according to their creator or source rather than according to a subject classification system. Collections are kept together and where possible, the original order established by the creator is retained.

3.2 Primary user group served

Staff and students of the University of Queensland. Staff and students of other Australian and overseas institutions and members of the public.

3.3 Description of the collection

Manuscripts are unpublished documents. Some types of manuscripts are : correspondence, diaries, notes, literary drafts, and financial records. These can be handwritten, typescript and electronic documents and other forms of documentary records. Manuscript collections can contain printed, pictorial and multimedia items.

Manuscript collections are referred to as "papers" or "records"; papers generally refer to a group of manuscripts created or acquired by an individual person or a family ; records refer to manuscripts created by an organisation in the course of its day-to-day activities. Individual manuscript items are also collected. An individual diary, notebook or letter will fall within this category. The Fryer Library manuscript collection contains collections of personal papers of individuals and families, and the records of organisations. Collections of personal papers predominate. Generally, collections are available for research. However donors of papers can arrange with the Fryer Librarian other conditions by which the material is made available to researchers. Restrictions on access can apply to sensitive papers.

Most of the manuscripts in the collection have been acquired by gift. Donations under the Cultural Gifts Program (previously Taxation Incentives for the Arts Scheme) are accepted. A donation under this Program allows the donor to claim the benefit of an income tax deduction. Gifts falling within the Library's Collection Development Policy are accepted.

Additions to the manuscript collection may also be acquired through direct purchase.

3.4 Scope of current collecting

The Library will continue to add to existing strengths. In addition, it is ready to enhance its collection to ensure that it complements the contemporary teaching and research needs of the University. The existing strengths in the manuscript collection are:

Architectural plans: The Queensland Architectural Archive consists of a number of separate collections. These are non-government architectural records, mostly dating from after the 1890s, and mostly relating to buildings in Southern Queensland. Included are plans for many buildings listed by the National Trust, as well as many significant buildings, which have now been demolished. The plans are grouped into collections according to the architect or architectural firm from which they originated:

Birrell, J.P.; Brown, V.M.; Conrad and Gargett; Cummings, R.P.; D.D.B. (Douglas, Daly, Bottger); Donoghue, J.P.; Edwards, Bisset and Partner; Fulton, C.; Gill, George Brockwell - see Conrad and Gargett; Gzell, V.; Haenke, W.; Hayes and Scott; Hodgen, W.; Lange Powell, Dods and Thorpe; Langer, K.; Lund Hutton, Ryan and Moreton; Oribin, E.; Scorer and Scorer - see Birrell; Trewern, A.T.; University of Queensland Site Plans; Wilson, A.B.

Collections include architectural plans and drawings, photographs, construction specifications, correspondence and related documents. Electrical and mechanical engineering plans such as drainage drawings are not retained.

New acquisitions are sought and consultation with the staff of the School of Geography, Planning and Architecture ensures that the collection maintains its relevance to the teaching and research interests of the School. Also architects, heritage professionals, and members of the public consult these architectural collections regularly.

Australian literature: Many of Australia's internationally and nationally acclaimed writers are represented in the collection. The Library holds literary manuscripts and papers of :

Thea Astley; Peter Carey; Nancy Cato; Bruce Dawe; John Forbes; Gwen Harwood; Xavier Herbert; Janette Turner Hospital; Thomas Keneally; David Malouf; Olga Masters; Frank Moorhouse; Oodgeroo Noonuccal; Thomas Shapcott.

The collection policy is not restricted to writers who have established an international and national reputation. Papers are sought from emerging writers and those who have been recognised at state and regional level. Acquisition activity will focus on adding to established collections as well as being alert to new collecting opportunities. Papers of Queensland writers and writers with an association with the University of Queensland Press are acquired. However collecting is not confined to these categories. The Library seeks to cooperate with other institutions in this collecting arena. Holdings of papers in other libraries will be taken into account so as to minimise conflict between institutions.

Australian playscripts: The Hanger Collection of Australian Playscripts was established as a permanent memorial to the services of Eunice Hanger to Australian drama. Eunice Hanger was a lecturer in drama in the Department of English from 1955 to 1972. She commenced the collecting of unpublished Australian playscripts for the Fryer Library. Alrene Sykes, also a lecturer in the Department of English continued this interest. Ms Hanger edited several anthologies of Australian plays and wrote extensively on Australian drama.
Playscripts produced in the period from the 1950s to about 1990 form the bulk of the collection. The range of the scripts included stage, radio and some television productions. Collecting of scripts in the ten year period from 1990 relied on unsolicited donations. Collecting activity will be intensified and new scripts will be actively sought. Retrospective acquisitions to fill gaps in holdings will also be sought.

History and Politics: Papers relating to history and politics are selectively acquired. Existing strengths are :
Queensland Council of Unions (formerly Trades and Labor Council of Queensland / Australian Council of Trade Unions (Qld)): Records 1890 onwards (UQFL 118). Ongoing additions to the records of this organisation are made. The Council co-ordinates union activity throughout the State. The bulk of the collection is from 1922 when the Trades Hall Council, Trades Hall Boards and Labour Day Celebration Committee amalgamated to form the Trades and Labor Council of Queensland. The collection includes - minutes, financial records, Workers' Educational Association records, correspondence, wage applications to industrial tribunals, Trade Union Congress reports, Union rules, publications, Labour Day celebration records, various subject files, files relating to industrial disputes and photographs.

Some material predates 1922 including material on the Cosme Co-operation Colony, Paraguay and photographs of 1912 General Strike meetings. This collection not only documents co-ordinated trade union activity throughout the State but also social and political issues over the past 100 years.

Communist Party and left-wing politics: The records of the Queensland Branch of the Communist Party of Australia are held (UQFL 234). This collection is augmented by the papers of activists associated with the Party and with the Left - for example : papers of Eva Bacon (UQFL 241), Warren and Jean Bowden (UQFL 290).

Public debate: Public debate on matters that have been consistently at the forefront of community concern such as : Aboriginal land rights, civil liberties, the environment, homosexuality and corporatisation of government owned services. These issues and others are documented in the papers of D. Marchisotti (UQFL 156), Marie McFarlane (UQFL 281), Queensland Council for Civil Liberties (UQFL 240) and the Greg Weir Gay Issues archive (UQFL 249).

Queensland history is not a major acquisitive area. The Library maintains a collaborative relationship with the John Oxley Library of the State Library of Queensland. The John Oxley Library has the statutory responsibility to collect and preserve material of all kinds relating to the State of Queensland.

Theatre: Papers about theatre, mainly theatre companies in Brisbane, are collected. Examples of collections held are :

  • Brisbane Repertory Theatre. Records 1925- (247 boxes)
  • Includes reports, minutes, programmes, scripts, correspondence, posters, photographs and production files. Also material relating to La Bamba, La Byte (Youth Arts), Backbone (UQFL 109)
  • Felgate, Rhoda. Scrapbook and photograph albums concerning the Twelfth Night Theatre 1936 - 1971. 35 volumes of newspaper clippings, programmes, publicity material and photographs (UQFL 100)
  • Hardgraves, Vic J. Papers relating to Brisbane Arts Theatre 1936-1973 (3 boxes) Programmes, press clippings, play reviews (UQFL 145)
  • Street Arts Community Theatre Company (Brisbane, Qld). Records 1982-1989 (51 boxes) Minutes, reports, scripts, production files, financial records, press cuttings, programmes, posters, photographs, newsletters (UQFL 229)

Women's studies: The Library seeks to augment the present women's studies manuscript holdings by collecting papers covering a broad range of activities and experiences. Present holdings cover :

  • Women in the labour and trade union movements:
  • Jane Calvert papers (UQFL 306)
  • Trades and Labor Council of Queensland
  • Women's Equal Opportunity Committee
  • From lunchroom to Boardroom oral history project (UQFL 300)
  • Women in the peace movement: Women's International League for Peace and Freedom Records (UQFL 251)
  • Lesbian history: Tania Peitzker papers : a lesbian history of Australia (UQFL 310)
  • Women's advocacy groups:
  • Papers relating to Women's Electoral Lobby (WEL) in the Pam Gorring papers (UQFL 296)
  • Records of Women's Community Aid Association and Women's House (UQFL 276)
  • Union of Australian Women records (UQFL 193)
  • Women in politics and women's political activities:
  • Margaret Reynolds papers relating to women's history research (UQFL 295)
  • Union of Australian Women records (UQFL 193)
  • Feminist activist theory and feminist publishing: The archives of the journal, Hecate (UQFL 235)
  • Women in organisations: Australian Federation of University Women records (UQFL 176)

Special considerations: Some restrictions apply on access to manuscript collections.

4. University of Queensland Theses
4.1 Primary user group served

Staff and students of the University are the prime users. Staff and students of other institutions and members of the public consult theses directly in the Library or acquire copies through the Document Delivery Service.

4.2 Purpose of the collection

All higher degree theses written by University of Queensland students for research Masters and PhD degrees are deposited in the Fryer Library and are made available for consultation or photocopying for the purpose of research or study. For conditions in relation to restrictions on thesis, refer to University policy:
PhD handbook section 5 : preparation and presentation of a PhD thesis:

  • Final form of thesis (www.uq.edu.au/research/grad-school)
  • PhD rules (www.uq.edu.au/research/grad-school)

If a restriction on access is approved by the Deputy Vice-chancellor (Research), the Library copy will be restricted under the conditions specified.

Generally course-work Masters theses are kept in the academic schools, not the Library. Honours theses also are generally retained in the schools, although the Fryer Library collection has acquired some Honours theses by arrangement with specific schools. For example :

  • School of Psychology Honours Theses - those awarded first class honours
  • School of English, Media Studies and Art History Honours Theses on Australian topics
  • Honours theses from a variety of schools on subjects related to Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders. These have been acquired through an arrangement with the University's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit.

The Library will act on the recommendation of any school that wishes to place a particular Honours thesis in the Library's collection. These are dealt with on a case by case basis.

4.3 Types collected

The University requirement is for deposit of a bound paper copy of a thesis. The University of Queensland is one of seven institutions collaborating on the Australian Digital Thesis Project. The project has established a distributed database of digital versions of theses produced by the postgraduate research students at the participating institutions. The Library promotes this Project and advocates the deposit of a digital copy in addition to the mandatory deposit of a paper copy. The theses will be available from the Web. Retrieval will be enhanced by the inclusion of metadata tags.

5. Microform collection

The Library's major holding of microform is housed in the Fryer Library. Also small amounts of microform holdings are scattered throughout the Branches.

5.1 Primary user group served

Staff and students of the Faculties of Arts, Social and Behavioural Sciences, and Business, Economics and Law make most use of the collection.
There is University wide use of newspapers on microfilm.

5.2 Description of the collection

Significant holdings are of current and back runs of Australian and overseas newspapers. There are also books, journals, theses and some archival material on microform.

5.3 Purpose of the collection

Newspapers: There are current subscriptions to the following Australian newspapers:

  • Age, October 1954 - March 1863 ; 1865 to date
  • Australian, 1964 to date
  • Australian Financial Review, August 1951 to date
  • Canberra Times, January 1964 to date
  • Courier Mail, 1864 to date
  • Sydney Morning Herald, April 1831 to date
  • The Queensland Times is microfilmed by the Library by an arrangement with the newspaper

Other holdings of Australian metropolitan and regional newspapers on microfilm include : Argus (Melbourne) 1846-1949, Bundaberg Mail 1892-1919, Truth (Brisbane) 1900-1951, Northern Miner (Charters Towers) 1877-1977, Capricornian (Rockhampton) 1875-1929, Morning Bulletin (Rockhampton) 1861-1945, the Sydney Mail 1860-1871, 1912-1938, the Daily Mercury (Mackay) 1906-1970, the Queenslander (Brisbane) 1866-1939 and the Queensland Times (Ipswich) 1864,1866 onwards.

Extensive runs are held of The Times (London) 1788 to date, The New York Times, September 1851 to date, Washington Post, 1974 to date, The Globe and Mail (Toronto) 1957 to date, Le Monde (Paris) 1944 to date, and the New Straits Times September 1945 - September 1996, The Hindu (Madras, India) 1888-1898, 1951-1994.
The New York Times Index (1851-) and the Index to the Times (1785-) are held in the Fryer Reference Collection.

Indonesian newspapers include :

Overzicht van de inlandsche en Maleisch-Chineesche pers (Batavia) 1918-1940
Harian rakjat (Djakarta) 1952-1965
Indonesian herald (Djakarta) 1961-1965
Suluh Indonesia (Djakarta) 1953-1965

Internet access to newspaper indexes and full text services supplements the Library's microfilm collection.

Nineteenth century literature:

  • The Nineteenth Century : General Series (London: Chadwyck-Healey in association with the British Library, 1986-)
  • The Nineteenth Century : Visual arts and architecture (London: Chadwyck-Healey in association with the British Library, 1986-1998)
  • The Nineteenth Century : Women Writers (London: Chadwyck-Healey in association with the British Library, 1986-)
  • Nineteenth Century Literary Manuscripts : Part 2, the correspondence and records of Smith, Elder & Co from the National Library of Scotland
  • (Marlborough, England : Adam Matthew Publications, 1999)
  • Nineteenth Century Theatre Periodicals (Brighton, Sussex : Harvester Press Microform Publications, 1984-1986)
  • Women and Victorian values, 1837-1910 : advice books, manuals and journals for women, etc., 1827-1910 : sources from the Bodleian Library, Oxford (Marlborough, England : Adam Matthew Publications, 1996)

Historical records: Microfilm sets of archival records support the research interests of the School of History, Philosophy, Religion and Classics - specifically on the colonial history of Australia, the Pacific and India.

Great Britain - Colonial Office:

  • Annual reports on the colonies, 1889-1938
  • Australia : Confidential print, 1833-1939
  • Fiji : correspondence and miscellanea (Australian Joint Copying Project Series)
  • New Guinea, British (Papua) correspondence 1884-1900 (Australian Joint Copying Project Series)
  • Pacific Western : correspondence 1876-1913 (Australian Joint Copying Project Series)
  • Queensland : Entry books of correspondence, 1859-1873; Original correspondence, Secretary of State despatches, 1859-1900

There are numerous other record series held relating to Australia, New Guinea and the Pacific copied as part of the Australian Joint Copying Project. The Australian Joint Copying Project Handbooks are located in the Fryer Library Reference Collection.

Great Britain - Foreign Office:

  • Confidential Print - China 1848-1937, 1947-1957; Inter-imperial relations; North America 1711-1941; Miscellaneous 1839-1939; Japan 1859-1954; Far Eastern affairs, 1937-1954; Africa 1834-1954; Pacific Island 1882-1923; Slave trade 1858-1892
  • Foreign Office Registers - China; Japan; Borneo; Pacific Islands; Korea; Siam
  • General Correspondence - France; Political 1906; Japan 1856-1905; China 1815-1905; Pacific Islands 1899-1901

House of Commons Parliamentary Papers: The microfiche is held for the Parliamentary Sessions of 1801-1900; 1975-1987 . This Chadwyck-Healey publication provides a significant coverage of British public policy and is a detailed major source for the students of the government's social, political and economic policies.

India Office: Various record series including :

  • Elgin collection : papers of the 9th Earl of Elgin as Viceroy 1894-98 and Kilbracken collection as Permanent Under-Secretary of State for India 1883-1909
  • Birkenhead collection : papers of the 1st Earl of Birkenhead as Secretary of State for India, 1924-1928
  • Haig, Halifax, Hallett, Linlithgow and Templewood collections of papers, 1926-1945
  • Correspondence between the Secretary of State and the Viceroy, 194?-1947
  • Governors' reports for the States of India, 1937-1947 (IOR ; L/P & J/5 London, India Office Library & Records)
  • As well as other series relating to the colonial administration and transfer of power of India.

United States: Despatches from US Consulate in Batavia 1818 - 1906; Apia 1843 - 1906; Auckland 1839 - 1906; Melbourne 1852 - 1906; Newcastle NSW 1887 - 1906; Honolulu 1820 - 1903; Lahaina 1850 - 1871; Sydney 1836 - 1906; Tahiti 1836 - 1906; Hobart 1842 - 1906; Levuka and Suva 1891 - 1906; Havana 1793 - 1906; Hilo 1853 - 1872; Fiji 1844 - 1890

  • Despatches from US Embassies in Hawaii 1843 - 1900; Great Britain 1791 - 1906
  • Department of State. Diplomatic Instructions 1801 - 1906
  • China through western eyes : manuscript records of trades, travellers, missionaries and diplomats 1792 - 1942 (Marlborough : Adam Matthew publications, 1996-)

Various other series are held on microfilm, such as :

  • ERIC (education)
  • Dutch East Indies. Gouverneur Generaal. Mail reports from the Netherlands East Indies, 1869 -1940. Reports from the governor general of the Netherlands East Indies to the Ministry of the Colonies.
  • Korn, V E. Korn collection, 1865 - 1969. The collection contains documents relating to the Dutch Administration in Indonesia, adat law (pertaining to land ownership, marriage, inheritance, crime etc) and the autochthonous government.
  • Health, physical education and recreation microform publications.
  • Early English Books 1475 - 1640, 1641-1700 (Ann Arbor Michigan : University Microfilms)
5.4 Scope of current collecting

5.4.1. Languages collected: English and foreign languages especially for newspapers.

5.4.2. Types collected: The Fryer Library collection includes material on microfilm, microfiche and microcard. Microcards are gradually being replaced where possible.

5.4.3. Special considerations: The microform collection is developed through the collection development activities of the Social Sciences and Humanities Library.

5.4.4. Conspectus: Microform holdings were included in the Conspectus evaluation of relevant subject areas of the collection.

6. Photographs

Photographs are mostly acquired by the Fryer Library as part of manuscript collections and reflect the subject matter within those collections, for example, the literary collections contain photographs of the Australian writers and the Queensland Council of Union records contain photographs of trade union identities and activities. Photograph albums containing historical photographs of Queensland are included in the collection. Photographs of the University are kept. Publications of fewer than five pages are generally treated as ephemera. These include leaflets, posters, art gallery catalogues and programmes.

7. Art exhibition catalogues

The Fryer Library maintains a standing order with the Queensland Art Gallery for Catalogues of its exhibitions. This includes "blockbuster" exhibitions. Other Australian exhibition catalogues are acquired, mostly through donation. The bulk of these relate to exhibitions in Queensland.

8. Theatre programs

Some theatre programmes are acquired by Fryer Library with playscripts for the Hanger collection. These are kept with the playscripts. Other programmes from Queensland theatres are acquired, mostly through donation. The bulk of these relate to Brisbane theatre productions.

9. Political handouts

The collection in Fryer Library consists of handouts from political parties, organisations and advocacy groups. The bulk of the collection covers the 1960s and 1970s. The handouts cover a range of issues including Aboriginal rights, abortion, anti-conscription, child care, constitutional matters, disarmament, equal pay, foreign bases, homosexuality, industrial issues, media, nuclear issues, peace, police powers, rape, republicanism, state of emergency, universities, Vietnam war and women's rights.

The collection is particularly strong in anti-conscription and anti-Vietnam War material. Collecting of handouts from the 1980s has relied on unsolicited donations. Collecting activities will be intensified and political ephemera will be actively sought. Retrospective acquisitions to fill gaps in holdings will also be sought.