Join us online or in person for a special 90 minute seminar with several Deakin Librarians and Archivists, talking about their collections and exhibitions.
Deakin Libraries, Archives, Exhibitions and Special Collections
Antony Catrice, University Archivist
In 1993, as a newly appointed archivist in Deakin Archives it was made clear to me that the collection I was to be most aware of and careful with, was contained in thirteen boxes marked The Briggs Papers. The significance of the Briggs Papers lies in their documenting a case of academic fraud at Deakin (one of the first to be investigated in Australia) and to the resulting inquiry, the process of which tested the University’s regulations and caused internal divisions ending with the resignation of the Vice Chancellor.
The files were considered contentious and evidence of a scandal best forgotten, but a chance encounter with a former senior Deakin member of staff connected to the case inspired me to read the Briggs papers. Further contacts added fresh perspectives not always reflected in the records and ultimately led to the discovery of a tell-all file. Despite making international headlines at the time, today this story is surprisingly little known and piecing it together is a testament to the role of record-keeping and archives to tell important stories.
Kristen Thornton, Special Collections Librarian
‘Not just rare books: newly acquired special collections’. This presentation will explain how by selecting particular new items, Kristen is able to focus on fabulous things. She will also show how things are acquired, and how these items fit into the broader scope of the collection at Deakin, and how they support research.
Jackson Mann, Manager, Library Exhibitions and Public Programs
Over the last decade, Australia has seen a trend of academic libraries formalising new exhibition programs that extend beyond the traditional models of library exhibitions. This presentation will outline Deakin Library’s co-creation approach to exhibition development that centres on collaborative exhibition-making with academic partners to create rich cultural experiences that bridge research and education.
This presentation will illustrate this partnership-driven model through The Library’s recent exhibition The Fire Within. The exhibition showcased the groundbreaking planetarium production The Earth Above: A Deep Time View of Australia’s Epic History, a 30-minute immersive film produced by the Deakin Motion Lab, alongside a site-specific artwork by First Nations contemporary artist Lowell Hunter. Together, these complementary experiences explored cultural connections to place within both Wadawurrung Country and across Australia. Developed in response to the NAIDOC Week 2024 theme ‘Keep the fire burning: Blak, loud and proud’, the exhibition provided a cultural experience that was unique to Deakin, combining Western archaeology with First Nations knowledge and showcasing these alongside local cultural practices.
11am, 2nd October 2024
Burwood: C2.05.01
Waurn Ponds: IC2.108
Zoom: Click here