8 November marks 165 years since author Bram Stoker was born in Dublin, Ireland. Fryer Library holds two letters written by Stoker. The first dates from December 1884 and was sent to Edmund Hodgson Yates; the other dates from July 1903 and was sent to Edmund's son, Edmund Smedley Yates.

Shown here is a portion of the 1884 letter. Stoker and Yates knew each other through the theatrical business; at this point in his life, Stoker was working as personal assistant for English actor/manager Sir Henry Irving and as business manager of the Lyceum Theatre, owned by Irving. Irving was in America between September 1894 and April 1895, and Stoker sent this letter from the Bellevue Hotel in Philadelphia. Correspondence with Irving is also held in the Yates collection.

These two documents are part of a collection of over 600 letters held in the Edmund Yates collection (UQFL314). A print guide to the papers was compiled by Peter Edwards and Andrew Dowling and is available in the Fryer reference collection as well as via UQ eSpace. The Stoker/Irving correspondence is part of a wider collection of theatre-related correspondence within the collection.

Another significant set of letters covers journalism (Yates was co-founder of weekly newspaper The World); further information on the journalistic side of the collection can be found in the article by Peter Edwards published in Found in Fryer: stories from the Fryer Library collection.

- Penelope Whiteway.

The Fryer Library will be closed for the Queen's Birthday public holiday on Monday, October 1.

Henry Mobsby, Fireworks representing King George V and Queen Mary, with words God Bless Our King and Queen and the date 1901, UQFL181 Box 2 folder 1 photo 57, Fryer Library, The University of Queensland.

You can view current opening hours for all UQ libraries, online.

Frank Moorhouse won the Fiction category of the Queensland Literary Awards last night for his book Cold light, the final in his Palais de Nations trilogy. In accepting the prize, Mr Moorhouse said:

The Queensland Prize because of its history as a long existing prize, the dismaying axing of it by the new Queensland government and now as a prize reborn is, I think this year, now Australia's most Noble of the Literary Prizes - it is the only prize created by the citizens of the state, in fact, by citizens throughout Australia - it is not the Premiers Prize it is the Citizens Prize.

And of all the prizes I have won for my writing the winning of this one has made me the proudest.

Fryer Library holds an extensive archive of papers from Frank Moorhouse, including drafts, notes and research material for his books and writings, going back to The Americans, baby (1972). As well as literary material there is also a large amount of personal material including correspondence and photographs.

- Cathy Leutenegger.

The latest issue of Fryer Folios has just been published. Focusing on Stradbroke Island, articles include:

Also in the issue is a wrap up of news and events, as well as an article by the 2011 Fryer Fellow, James Halford.

Issues are being posted to Friends of Fryer members, and are available from the Fryer Library reading room. Previous issues are available online.

If you have any feedback on Fryer Folios, we would love to hear from you. The editors can be contacted by emailing fryer@library.uq.edu.au.

'Early Amity' UQFL122, box 9, image 32, Fryer Library, The University of Queensland Library.

At Fryer, we have a reproduction service, if you are researching or wanting to publish material from our manuscript or rare collections.

Here are some answers to our most frequently asked questions:

1. Why do I have to fill out an application form?

As well as recording the details and specifications of your copying, the form includes a copyright declaration. Declaring for what purpose you require the copies (for example for research & study) often affects whether or not copies can be made.

2. Can I order copies online?

You can download the form and return it to us at the desk, by post, or by scanning and emailing (all our contact details are included on the form). Please ensure that you have completed and signed the form in ink.

If there are no copyright, access, or preservation restrictions, we can start processing your order.

3. Do I have to provide proof of copyright permission before I get copies?

For unpublished materials (such as manuscript collections) Fryer library staff usually investigate copyright permission on your behalf. However, if you are using other special collections libraries, be aware that it can be your responsibility to provide proof.

4. How long does it take?

We aim to complete approved copy requests within ten business days. However, delays can occur if we cannot locate or contact a copyright holder. Contacting copyright holders can be an extensive process.

If you have a deadline, such as a submission date, please mark it clearly on the form, so that a library staff member can keep you updated.

5. How much does copying cost?

Our current schedule of charges is always available from our website. Prices range from 50 cents for pdf scans to $5.50 for digitization or professional photographs. While we always try to minimise cost, some items can only be photographed for preservation reasons.

6. Can I make the copies myself?

Where possible we allow client photocopying (of published material) and non-flash photography of certain items in the reading room. Always ask a Fryer library staff member before making copies, so that we can assist with any preservation or copyright requirements.

The Australian Copyright Council website is an excellent place to find out more information on Australian copyright.

If you have another question about copy requests at the Fryer Library, just email fryer@library.uq.edu.au.

UQ Library and the Friends of Fryer hosted National Year of Reading Ambassador Nick Earls on 8 August.

Our new University Librarian, American Robert Gerrity opened the event, mentioning Earls's new book Welcome to Normal as a timely supplement to his current list of must-read Australian literature.

Simon Groth of the Institute of the Future of the Book Australia led Nick Earls in a discussion of the book. Earls chatted about his inspiration for several of the short stories, including a delightful tale that featured his parents, a B&B in Andalusia, and the heart of a 14th-century Scottish king. (This story also features over at Nick Earls's blog.)

The pair also talked about the usefulness of Google Maps in the writing process, and considered ebooks and the opportunities this creates for publishing short stories. The event concluded with a well-attended book signing and light lunch.