ALEXANDER TURNBULL LIBRARY

Turnbull Library Record, Volume 6, Issue 2, 1 October 1973, Page 44

ALEXANDER TURNBULL LIBRARY

REPORT BY THE CHIEF LIBRARIAN TO THE NATIONAL LIBRARIAN, 1972-73

The year was a most significant one in the Library’s history, marking as it did the move from the Turnbull Building in Bowen Street to the renovated ‘temporary’ headquarters on the second floor of the Free Lance Building. The Library in 1955-57 had been located for two years in the Colonial Motor Company Building in Courtenay Place to permit strengthening of the Bowen Street home against earthquake damage. Nevertheless, despite significant expenditure on this reconstruction, overloading within the next decade had made alternative accommodation a matter of urgency.

The new premises, when all work has been completed, permit the Pacific collection of printed books and pamphlets (excluding some periodicals and newspapers) to be accommodated on one floor in one building, a considerable working advantage to the staff. Rare books, art, map and manuscript collections are also in the building, although the bulk of the Library’s general and special collections —more than half its total bookstock —are in Courtenay Place, and the Photograph Section and Microfilm Unit in the Local Government Building. Basement storage elsewhere is still necessary.

The planning of the move itself was the responsibility of Miss M. Walton, Reference Librarian. The operation, a very considerable one involving the relocation of over 55,000 volumes and other materials, will be completed when the newspaper collection is assembled during May. It is hoped to retain the Bowen Street Building as a display and exhibition centre for some of the Library’s paintings and also within an approved concept of limited use as a support-storage area for manuscripts and periodicals still in other buildings. The interest of the Wellington City Council in the retention of the building has been greatly appreciated.

The year also saw the first attempt in the Library’s 52 years of history by one of the Library’s Chief Librarians to locate and acquire or copy important art and manuscript material in the United Kingdom. With financial support from the Trustees, I was able to spend three months in following up lines of enquiry and making appropriate arrangements. The relative success of the operation has proved the point that in the Turnbull area a permanent London Liaison Officer can be of immense help to the Library’s acquisition programme and provide an on-the-spot means of appraising material coming up at auction. On the completion of my term as Chief Librarian I would like to acknowledge formally the assistance and support given to me on all

occasions during the past seven years by the Trustees and particularly by senior members of staff. What has been achieved in developing and strengthening the resources of the Library has been largely due to their efficient and devoted application of a wide range of special skills. The functions and purpose of the Turnbull Library within and beyond the specifications of the National Library Act have still to be fully understood not merely by some members of the general public but by the library profession as a whole. However, I am confident that, with the continuing support of the Trustees and the Library staff, the precise role envisaged for the bequest by Alexander Turnbull can be fully realised, if perhaps only in the National Library Building.

Acquisition and Cataloguing Acquisitions in all areas of the Library’s interests have continued at a reasonably satisfactory rate. While statistics give no inkling of the significance or value of individual items the following table shows the present overall situation as well as the annual additions.

Holdings 311311973 Additions 1972/73 Books, etc. 154,598 5,573 Manuscripts 1,600 linear feet 165 units or ca.so feet Art pieces 7,987 originals 457 originals 10,787 prints 192 prints Photographs 113,819 negatives 6,808 negatives 113,275 prints 20,156 prints 456 albums 76 albums Maps 14,861 2,050 Microfilms 6,020 reels 735 reels

On the setting up of the National Library in 1966 the Library’s acquisition policy in certain areas was modified to conform with that of the then Central Division and the General Assembly Library. However, in order to cover certain subjects in greater depth and to follow a policy strictly in accord with the founder’s wishes, there are good reasons for extending the Library’s present coverage of printed material. Many items published in New Zealand are now being received under the 1971 amendment to the Copyright Act although administrative and other problems persist. Funds are nevertheless freed for other purchases. During the year the Library continued to fill gaps in its New Zealand and Pacific holdings and at the same time added to the special collections. Microfilm continues to be received from the Pacific Manuscripts Bureau, the Australian Joint Copying Project, the project officer of the Western Pacific High Commission and elsewhere. Significant additions

to the collection of early voyages included A new discovery of Terra Incognita Australia by Gabriel de Foigny, 1693; Journal du voyage de Siam fait en MDCLXXXV et MDCLXXXVI, 1687 and Journal ou suite du voyage de Siam, 1687 by de Choisy, and Journey into Siberia, 1770 by D’Auteroche. Important art and manuscript acquisitions are noted below. The Endowment Trust has continued to support materially the National Library appropriation. Within the Catalogue Section 4,073 books and pamphlets were catalogued as well as sound recordings and periodicals. The section continues its responsibility for the compilation of the New Zealand National Bibliography, noted below, the maintenance of the Union Catalogue of pre-1801 imprints held in New Zealand, the control of the binding programme and the supervision of the cataloguing of the Library’s special collections.

Bibliography Throughout the year monthly issues of the New Zealand National Bibliography were prepared listing 1,365 books and pamphlets, 16 art prints, 50 sound recordings, 2 music scores, 162 new periodical titles and 61 ceased periodical titles. The annual cumulation for 1971 appeared in August 1972 though again it is hoped to issue that for 1972 a little earlier. Miss K. S. Williams, Chief Cataloguer, has edited both the monthly and the cumulative issues. The second volume of the New Zealand National Bibliography covering the letters H to O for the period 1890-1960 was published in May 1972. Features of this volume are the entries in English and translation of Katherine Mansfield’s works (181 entries) and official publications for which the corporate entry is preferred under the words New Zealand followed by the name of the appropriate Department (approximately 3,500 entries). Preparation for the final volume covering 1890 to 1960 is well advanced and publication is expected early next year. Because of pressure of other work little progress has been made on the first volume. However, arrangements have been concluded for the work to be continued by the editor, Mr A. G. Bagnall, following his retirement from the position of Chief Librarian.

Reference Services The work of the Reference staff was considerably restricted by the move for which the Section was chiefly responsible. The operation, however, was 80% accomplished in 20 working days, the Library being closed to the public for only 7 working days from 3-10 January.

In spite of disruptions 5,237 readers used 24,050 volumes during the year. There was a noticeable increase in the use made of the microfilm of Maori Land Court Minute books and as over 6,000 microfilm reels are now held fairly constant use is made of the three microfilm readers. One hundred and twenty-four books or photocopies were lent or provided to other libraries and there were 621 telephone enquiries and 747 letters during the year.

Of the readers using specific research materials 8 were working on doctoral theses, 14 on M.A. theses and 2 on Ll. B’s. Research topics included the impact of World War I upon aspects of New Zealand social history; the role and achievement of Sir Apirana Ngata in the United party and Coalition governments; a centennial history of the Williams family; women’s role in New Zealand society; domestic servants in New Zealand in the 1920’5; a social history of Auckland in the early 1870’s; Geraldine and Manawatu county histories; a history of the Armed Constabulary; a life of Rev. Richard Davis of the Church Missionary Society; and a book on the coconut palm. Overseas students were interested in material on Christmas Island; Maoris in the novel; and William Anderson, surgeon on the Resolution. The English literature collections were used for a study of Laurence Sterne’s work, a descriptive catalogue of 19th century periodicals, a study of the political thinking of Dryden and for a D.Phil. thesis on the ultra Tories in British politics and their attitude to Catholic emancipation.

Manuscripts For the Manuscripts Section the move into the new building made a considerable difference to the quality of service the staff are able to give. For the first time, most of the Library’s accessioned manuscript holdings are now under one roof, and readers’ requests can be met on the same day. Further acquisitions will, unfortunately, have to overflow to other buildings. Acquisitions over the year have been varied and consistent. A number of important manuscripts relating to New Zealand have been brought to light in the United Kingdom thus emphasising yet again the need for an overseas field officer. Among the more significant recent acquisitions were the letters of John Middleton Murry to Katherine Mansfield (a unique correspondence, the other side of which has been in the Library for some years); a small collection of original Katherine Mansfield letters; records of Sir Truby King; the papers of James Coutts Crawford; the nucleus of a John Beaglehole manuscript collection; further Richard John Seddon material; the records of The Terrace Congregational Church; Dora de Beer’s correspondence relating to her translation of Kramer’s Die Samoa-Inseln; the Wanganui his-

torical papers of Maxwell Smart; a variety of Army records; a considerable extension of the collection of manuscripts relating to Pacifist movements. During the year also, the cataloguing of the manuscripts in the Bett collection was completed. Three hundred and forty-two reels of microfilmed manuscripts were received from overseas, chiefly from the Pacific Manuscripts Bureau, and the Australian Joint Copying Project; and forty-three reels of records were copied locally. There were three full-time staff members this year, for the first time. This gave some much-needed latitude, but because of the rate of acquisition of manuscripts in the last six years there is a very great deal still to be done. The sorting, listing, cataloguing and indexing of papers continues, as does the service to readers. During the year 680 people consulted manuscripts; and 150 letters requesting manuscript information were answered.

Art Collection Once the violent fluctuations of the ‘controlled temperature and humidity’ have been steadied it will be fair to say that the Art Collection is benefiting from its rehousing. Although the floor space is not much greater, the ease of access to shelves is considerably increased; cabinet storage in metal drawers will better preserve large and fragile prints, posters and architectural plans; and specially-designed sliding racks both house safely the oil paintings and make them readily available for research and exhibition. A number of small oil paintings continue to be stored at Bowen Street.

The art collection is increasingly used although written enquiries to identify or ‘value’ work have dropped, and donations of significant work have almost ceased, as art dealers continue to get inflated prices for ‘old’ New Zealand paintings. Students of art history are its main users but anthropologists, geographers, seismologists and mountaineers find its visual records important to their work. Other government departments continue to use the collection in a variety of ways. 1972-73 has been a vintage year for the acquisition of original paintings and drawings many of which were purchased by the Endowment Trust Board: 457 originals (including 283 cartoons) were obtained. Copyright acquisition was the chief source of reproduction prints: 67 prints and calendars and 84 posters were added to the collection. Some large, previously-acquired collections have been listed (e.g. 242 cartoons from the ‘Free Lance collection’) and a detailed inventory made of the 476 items in the Richard Taylor sketchbook. Its rich medley of pen drawings which date from ‘Kororareka 1830’ to ‘a curious cloud seen at Putiki 19 Nov. 1864’ can now be consulted. If published this sketchbook would

provide the most wide-ranging visual record of New Zealand before photography. Three hundred and sixty-four original works and prints have been catalogued. (There are still some large collections to be catalogued, e.g. Webster, 1970.) The total of items accessioned during the year was 863. Of these the most significant came from the United Kingdom: notably, a group of 18 watercolours by Commander R. A. Oliver R.N.; two watercolours and nine small oils by Albin Martin; two watercolours by Charles Decimus Barraud and ten important pencil drawings from George Hilliard, a surgeon aboard the Lady Nugent, 1840-41; the Library also acquired, at Sotheby’s, the largest share of the significant collection of Captain A. W. F. Fuller, which included two original watercolours by George French Angas. The Library has continued to acquire photographs of paintings and drawings held in outside collections. The major photographic record of art work comes this year from the Bett Collection (249 works were photographed in black and white and some colour transparencies were made) before its return to Nelson. A total of 348 photographs was accessioned.

Map Collection Acquisitions for what is virtually the National Map Collection continue to be sustained. Maps were accessioned during the year totalling 1,266, a considerable decrease on last year and a result largely of time spent on moving the collection. Two hundred and five enquiries were received from members of the public and other sections of the Library. Two hundred and eighteen new maps were catalogued for inclusion in the New Zealand National Bibliography compared with 172 in 1971.

Photograph Section The public continue to make increased use of the Photograph Section. A total of 1,234 persons called at the Section this year, an increase of 14% over last year. Orders resulting from these calls and from letters received amounted to 919. An important acquisition was the S. C. Smith collection of negatives chiefly of the greater Wellington area. Several albums of more than usual interest have also been acquired, including one containing views of the Chatham Islands in the 1860’s. The Library has again been given the opportunity of copying several large collections of photographs, and while this is very much appreciated, the length of time it takes to do so, and the consequent delay in our planned copying programme demonstrate very clearly the need for

a photographer to be attached to the Library. Acknowledgement should be made of the work done on behalf of the Library as a whole by National Publicity Studios.

Conservation

Despite the arrival of equipment and materials, including a laminating machine, required to set up the project, lack of laboratory facilities has prevented progress on physical restoration work. Tenders for the necessary renovations are about to be called. The Conservation Officer has for the most part, therefore, acted in an advisory role. With the assistance of the Trustees, he was able to spend three months abroad to attend the International Institute for the Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works Conference in Lisbon on painting and paper restoration and the ICOM Conservation Committee Conference in Madrid. During the transfer of the Turnbull Library’s resources from Bowen Street to The Terrace, the art material was fumigated with ethylene oxide to eradicate animal and fungal pests. The method was developed and carried out by the Library. The development of new equipment and techniques for conservation work continues with the generous assistance of the Physics and Engineering Laboratory of D.S.I.R. The microfilming of back copies of newspapers and manuscripts has continued with the services of an operator, kindly provided by the Government Printing Office. The very recent installation of a new camera is expected to improve production. The Library has committed more labour to quality control and the arrival of a microfilm duplicator, at present on order, will further commit the Library’s users to this medium without threat of loss to original material.

Exhibitions and Publicity

Members of staff have talked to groups and school parties within the Library and under the auspices of outside organizations. Following the Sir William Fox exhibition at the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, the New Zealand and Australian watercolours by Fox remained on display at the Library. Other major exhibitions included one of early Wellington landscapes, mounted for National Conservation Week; an exhibition of Mein Smith’s watercolours and drawings, to launch the 1972 Turnbull Library Prints; a wide-ranging display of historical maps; Piranesi engravings, accompanied by an exhibition of the Library’s extensive collection of books from the Golden Cockerel Press, and a second series of silk screen prints derived from the Expo 70 Bush Walk by Susan Skerman. In the new premises, exhibition space is unfor-

tunately severely limited and although not all facilities are yet available, the continuing need for the Bowen Street Building for exhibition and lecture purposes is now even more evident. Grateful acknowledgement is again made to the national press and the Broadcasting Corporation for their generous allocation of space.

The Maori Heritage touring photographic exhibition has been lent to several small centres. The Library has lent paintings to the Waikato Art Gallery for exhibitions on early Hamilton and Te Whiti; paintings by Samuel Butler and mediaeval manuscripts to the Robert McDougall Art Gallery, Christchurch; and early Maori books to the National Museum and Italian art books to the New Zealand Women Writers’ Society for exhibitions marking the UNESCO International Book Year. The Durer engravings from the Library’s Bishop Monrad collection have been lent to the National Art Gallery for research preparatory to the forthcoming Durer exhibition at the Gallery.

Functions at the Library included the launching of two new publications and the Mein Smith Prints by the Trust Board and two addresses under the auspices of the Friends of the Turnbull Library, one by the Rev. David Swain on the papers of Bishop Hobhouse, the other by Mrs Margaret Scott, the Manuscripts Librarian, on some aspects of her overseas research on Katherine Mansfield.

The National Film Unit made available the colour film produced in 1971, Alexander Turnbull's Library, directed by Paul Maunder. Although the interpretation gives a somewhat personal and restricted view of the Library and its functions, it has made some aspects of the Turnbull known to many thousands, both throughout New Zealand and in the United Kingdom.

Publications

The fourth of the Library’s series of monographs was published jointly by the H. B. Fleck Memorial Fund of the Endowment Trust and Victoria University of Wellington. It is The London Journal of Edward Jerningham Wakefield 1845-46, edited by Professor Joan Stevens from the manuscript in the Library. John Cawte Beaglehole: a bibliography was compiled by staff of the Library and published, as a joint tribute, by the Friends of the Turnbull Library and the Publications Committee of the Victoria University of Wellington. The printers, Messrs Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd., generously contributed almost half the cost of publication. The 1972 print series, in a new format, reproduced five watercolours by Captain William Mein Smith, the New Zealand Company’s first Surveyor-General. The Friends of the Turnbull Library again published two issues of The Turnbull Library Record.

Appendix Library Donors April 1972 to March 1973 Mr E. L. Adams; Miss M. Adams; Mr Alexander Aiken; Mrs H. W. Baines; Mr A. C. Barrington; Mrs R. B. Bartleet; Mr G. A. Beale; Mr I. D. Beattie; Mr Reg Bell; Miss E. M. Burgess; Mr A. Burrell; Mr W. B. Burt; Mrs J. M. Calcinai; Mr N. C. Clifton; Mr R. W. Coughlan; Mr Elsdon Craig; Mr A. R. Dawber; Miss Dora de Beer; Mrs Dust; Mrs I. P. Elliott; Mrs J. J. Faulkner; Mr Brian Fisher; Mr T. C. Foughy; Col. R. F. Gambrill; Miss G. M. Gilbert; Sir William Goodfellow; Miss Irene Green; Miss P. Greenwood; Miss Rosemary Greenwood; Mr D. J. Griffin; Dr E. M. Griffin; Mr F. D. Harris; Mr R. T. Harwood; Mrs Juliet V. Hobbs; Mr T. A. Hume; Mr George W. Hunt; Sir John Ilott; Miss J. Johnston; Miss Constance Keller; Miss J. S. Kirkwood; Mrs F. O. Lane; Mr Ralph Lynn-Sawyer; Mr J. Locke; Estate of Cecil Lawrence Lovegrove; Mr K. D. Mclntyre; Mr and Mrs D. McKenzie; Mrs L. McLennan; Mr Willis D. Mcßae; Mr W. Main; Dame Ngaio Marsh; Mr L. H. Marshall; Mr A. D. Mead; Mr W. P. Mead; Mrs Millen; Mr A. G. Mowat; Mr and Mrs D. K. Mulgan; Mr Doug Munro; Estate of Sir Walter Nash; Mr W. T. Neill; Dr James Ng; Father R. P. O’Reilly; Mrs N. D. Osborn; Mr Robert Pinney; Mr W. G. Ranstead; Mr K. J. Ray; Mr A. W. Reed; Mrs D. R. Reeves; Mr W. B. Ross; Mr R. E. Rossiter; Mr G. L. M. Scholefield; Mrs Hester Sibley; Miss Celia Sisam; Mrs E. M. Sladden; Estate of Mr Max Smart; The late Capt. G. T. Stagg; Prof. Joan Stevens; Mr G. W. Stewart; Mrs S. F. C. Sweeny; Mr C. R. H. Taylor; Mr Bruce Thomson; Mr Jim Thomson; Mr Oliver Trowell; Miss Dora Walker; Bishop A. K. Warren; Mr Robin White; Mrs I. Willott-Bakko; Mr G. B. Wilson; Mr Ormond Wilson; Miss Constance M. Wood; Mrs Lilian Wouldes.