As part of the Academy’s ongoing mission to promote and disseminate scientific knowledge, the library has established a new online public access catalogue (OPAC) to help researchers locate historical scientific materials.
The library's collection focuses on material relating to the history of Australian science, particularly one-of-a-kind items such as journals, field and lab notes, photographs, and correspondence that illuminate the lives and work of Australian scientists. Researchers worldwide can use the OPAC to discover these unique and invaluable materials, with records continually added and updated.
The Academy is continuing to assess and catalogue material, including manuscripts, in the new catalogue, but already the catalogue is a dramatic improvement on the previous webpage-based system which offered limited searchability. The underlying software is Koha, a free, open source library management system widely used worldwide.
The Basser Library and Fenner Archives collects material documenting the history of science in Australia, with particular emphasis on collecting biographical material about prominent scientists. The Library Committee advises Council on the operation and development of the library.
Dr David Branagan has resigned from the committee after a phenomenal 42 years of service. Professor Joe Gani FAA has also stepped down after 13 years. The Academy and committee members warmly thank them for their invaluable support and contributions over the years.
Professor Patrick De Deckker FAA, was appointed a member in October. Dr Wolf Mayer, visiting Fellow at the Australian National University, will join the committee in 2015.
© 2024 Australian Academy of Science
