GRAND
LODGE
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GRAND
LODGE
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| Establishment
of the Grand Lodge Library
The need for providing a library of Masonic books was recognized soon after the establishment of the new Grand Lodge. In 1885 the MW Grand Master in his address at the April Communication said: "The establishment of a good and useful library of Masonic works is much to be desired. The Grand Library is in possession of the nucleus of such a library, and I trust the time is not too far distant when its enlargement will afford the brethren ready access to every Masonic work of value". Twelve months
later the Board of General Purposes reported that it had secured "an
excellent collection of Masonic works" to make the Library more complete.
The Library was further enlarged in 1888 when VW Bro. HC Mais presented
"a number of volumes of valuable Masonic works". A year later
the Grand Lodge enrolled as a member of the Correspondence Circle of Quatuor
Coronati Lodge, the premier English research Lodge, to receive the transactions
published by that Lodge. Thus the Grand Lodge Library was firmly
established and became one of the important services provided by Grand
Lodge for all members.
Early Years In 1895 a valuable collection of books and periodicals was given to the Library by VW Bro. George Gordon. The same year it was decided to allocate up to £20 annually for the purchase of books and periodicals for the Library. A Library Committee was proposed but this idea was not adopted. Lists of purchased books were given for the first time in the Grand Lodge Proceedings of 1911 and 1912, when expenditures totalled £2/11/0 and £9/11/0 respectively. It would appear that the Grand Library was showing slow and unspectacular growth. Some country lodges were starting to think of establishing small libraries. The Library
continued to receive a number of gifts and bequests. The Grand Secretary
suggested suitable books for the consideration of country Lodges, as well
as making purchases for the Grand Lodge Library. The advantage of
deep and wide reading on Masonic subjects to improve one's understanding
of Freemasonry was stressed more than once by the Grand Inspector.
A new location and a new name The new
Masonic Centre for Adelaide was opened in 1927. The Grand Lodge
Library was situated on the western side of the Hall of Fame (Ground Floor),
"together with a billiard room, smoking room and other conveniences
..."
By 1932 a catalogue
of books in the Library had been completed, using the following headings:
"Biographies; Constitutions; Encyclopaedias; Histories; Ceremonials
and Symbolism; Transactions; Proceedings and Reports; Miscellaneous and
Royal Arch Masonry". Unfortunately this catalogue was not printed.
The Travelling Box Library Small regional libraries were formed in some country areas during the latter part of the first 50 years after the foundation of the Grand Lodge in 1884. In 1938 six boxes were provided for the purposes of a "Travelling Library". Under this system a box of selected library books was made available to a Lodge on application, for a period of three to four months. In 1945 the
Report of the President of the Board of General Purposes stressed the importance
of Masonic education and recommended "that members of the various Lodges
avail themselves of the books of the J.R. Robertson Masonic Memorial Library".
Reorganization In 1967-8 the
Grand Lodge Committee of Masonic Education considered a plan for the reorganization
of the Library, including the formation of a Library Committee. Professional
advice was sought from the State Librarian of South Australia, and the
position of a librarian was debated. New lighting, shelving and furnishings
were approved and installed, the library of Lodge St Alban No. 38 was donated
and included in the collection, and a new catalogue was prepared.
No library committee was authorized.
Grand Librarian The office of Grand Librarian was approved by Grand Lodge in 1975, the duties being "to superintend the J.R. Robertson Masonic Memorial Library, catalogue and care for the books and archives, open the library for use, record and recover books on loan and report when required to the Board of General Purposes of Grand Lodge". The following have served in the office of Grand Librarian:
Relocation The Library was relocated from the Ground Floor to the Fourth Floor of the Adelaide Masonic Centre in March 1988. Portion of a bequest was allocated for furnishing the new location. The relocation afforded an opportunity to rethink the purpose and function of the Library. It was decided to re-classify the books using a decimal system, following information obtained from the United Grand Lodge of England. Subsequently a new catalogue was prepared. The Catalogue of Resource Material available for Loan was printed, and is now in its second edition. With these
improvements the Library has become a most useful resource for students
of the Diploma
of Masonic Education. The Grand Librarian serves as a member
of the Education Committee of Grand Lodge
Recent Events and Future Prospects In recent years the collection has been extended to include audio tapes, videotapes and CD-ROMs. The periodical collection has been refurbished and missing volumes replaced where available. An archival collection has been commenced. Policies and procedures have been reviewed and documented in an effort to place the operations of the Library on a more professional footing. Certain portions of the collection have been withdrawn from loan, and a reference collection has been established. A photocopier has proved invaluable. The Library has always benefited greatly from the work of volunteers. Volunteers are necessary if the Library is to continue to provide the services required by Freemasons and members of the public. Those wishing to offer their services should speak with the Grand Librarian. The advent of computers and information technology has revolutionized the operations of libraries and librarians. It is hoped that sufficient I.T. resources can be provided in the future to the greater benefit of users of the James Robert Robertson Masonic Memorial Library. 03.02, rev
02.04, 10.04
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