Chifley Library

Chifley Library. The Australian National University is home to the Chifley Library, which is named after Ben Chifley, the Prime Minister of Australia from 1945 to 1949. The library is a key part of the university's Research School of Social Sciences and Research School of Humanities and the Arts, and it supports the academic work of students and staff from College of Arts and Social Sciences and College of Asia and the Pacific. The library's collections and services are also used by researchers from Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, National Museum of Australia, and Australian War Memorial.

● History

The Chifley Library has a long history dating back to the establishment of the Australian National University in 1946, with the library's first collection being based on the Commonwealth Parliamentary Library and the National Library of Australia. Over the years, the library has grown and developed, with significant contributions from Harold White, the first National Librarian of Australia, and Harrison Moore, a prominent University of Melbourne academic. The library has also been influenced by the work of Duncan Black, a University of Cambridge economist, and James Meade, a Nobel Prize in Economics winner. The library's history is closely tied to the development of the Australian National University, with key events including the establishment of the Research School of Physical Sciences and the Research School of Biological Sciences.

● Collections

The Chifley Library has an extensive collection of materials, including books, journals, and databases, with a strong focus on the social sciences and humanities. The library's collections include works by prominent authors such as Karl Marx, Max Weber, and Émile Durkheim, as well as key publications from Oxford University Press, Cambridge University Press, and Routledge. The library also has a significant collection of materials related to Australian history, including works by Manning Clark, Geoffrey Blainey, and Humphrey McQueen. The library's collections are also supplemented by materials from National Archives of Australia, State Library of New South Wales, and Libraries Australia.

● Facilities

The Chifley Library is located in a purpose-built building on the Australian National University campus, with modern facilities and equipment. The library has a range of study spaces, including individual desks, group study rooms, and quiet areas, as well as access to University of Canberra and Australian Catholic University facilities. The library also has a range of technology, including computers, printers, and scanners, as well as access to edX, Coursera, and MIT OpenCourseWare. The library's facilities are designed to support the academic work of students and staff, with key partners including CSIRO, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, and Productivity Commission.

● Services

The Chifley Library offers a range of services to support the academic work of students and staff, including research assistance, borrowing, and interlibrary loans. The library also provides training and support for students, including workshops and online tutorials, as well as access to Turnitin, EndNote, and Zotero. The library's services are also available to external researchers, including those from University of Sydney, University of Melbourne, and University of Queensland. The library is a member of Council of Australian University Librarians and Australian Library and Information Association, and it participates in national and international initiatives such as Open Access and Digital Humanities.

● Location

The Chifley Library is located on the Australian National University campus in Canberra, with easy access to Parliament of Australia, High Court of Australia, and National Gallery of Australia. The library is also close to other key institutions, including Australian National Museum, National Library of Australia, and CSIRO. The library's location makes it an ideal hub for researchers and students, with access to a range of resources and facilities, including State Library of New South Wales, Libraries Australia, and National Archives of Australia. The library is also part of the Australian National University's Acton campus, which is home to a range of other facilities, including Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics and Research School of Earth Sciences. Category:Libraries in Australia