Tales from Two Cities: From Senate House Library to the State Library of New South Wales

Dr Karen Attar (Curator of Rare Books and University Art, Senate House Library / Senior Librarian, Rare Books, State Library of New South Wales)

“Uncle Jack said you must choose between this world, the next world, and Australia”. Based on a secondment from Senate House Library to the State Library of New South Wales in the heart of Sydney, this talk juxtaposes the two institutions. It looks at holdings, acquisitions, descriptions, and values at the State Library, a copyright library founded 10 years before the University of London. The Library is renowned for its travel narratives and Australiana and holds some enviable treasures. Conversely, discoveries there have led to heightened appreciation of the treasures at Senate House.