Membership Services
Nathan Library
:: Archive
he Archives Working
Party was established in late 1999 to facilitate the storage,
preservation and cataloguing of the College's extensive archival
and Rare Book collections.
The aim of the project is to improve access to these collections
whilst maintaining the physical integrity of the items.
Already the group has developed a specialised database which
will bring together information on the collection and make it
available to the public and interested researchers. A system
of description has been developed by the Librarian in conjunction
with the Honourary Archivists to produce both accurate and rich
descriptions of the variety of materials housed in the archival
collections.
As well, a large number of the College's Rare Books have already
been catalogued onto the Library Catalogue. This work, undertaken
by the Library Assistant continues so that soon all Rare Books
will be able to be located through the College Library Catalogue.
Contact the Nathan Library for more information.
The J Lloyd Hewett collection
The J Lloyd Hewett collection was established in 1996 to commemorate
the life of J Lloyd Hewett and his contribution to the profession
of optometry. Lloyd was a Sydney based optometrist, a graduate
of the NSW school. He practised optometry in an exemplary professional
manner. He was one of the pioneers of contact lens practice
and he taught in the School of Optometry in the University of
NSW. He was a foundation supporter and foundation member of
the NVRI and a member of the foundation Board of the NVRI. He
was Editor of the Australian Journal of Optometry, the precursor
of Clinical and Experimental Optometry for 18 years and associate
editor before that. He was elected an honorary life member of
the Victorian College of Optometry in 1981 for his contributions
to the clinical and academic growth of the profession. He was
awarded an honorary Master's degree by his University and the
Medal of the Order of Australia to recognise his life time of
work for his profession but also to his community.
He was a man of classical learning so it is appropriate
that the College should decide to commemorate his life
by the establishment of a collection of books biased
to the history of optometry and ophthalmology and books
that consider the human side of vision and visual disorders.
A least one book a year shall be purchased for the
collection. The books purchased shall be to do with
to the history of medicine, optometry and ophthalmology
and books that consider the human or more curious side
of vision and visual disorders.
The best books in the collection shall be held in
a locked glass fronted shelf unit in a prominent part
of the Nathan Library although a notice shall make
it clear that the books are available for use in the
Library and for loan. A sign will identify the collection
as the J Lloyd Hewett collection.
All books in the collection are identified with a
frontispiece plate.
Books held in the J Lloyd Hewett collection will be
identified as being in that collection so that a list
of the holdings in the collection can be compiled.
Where appropriate, an explanatory description of the
item is included in the catalogue entry.
The C W Kett Archive
The Nathan Library acquires archival books and papers
and historical artifacts as part of its collection
policy. The historical artifacts include ophthalmic
instruments and spectacle frames and cases. This collection
of material is known as the C W Kett Archive.
Material is usually acquired by donation. Offers of
donations are subject to review by one of the College's
honorary archival officers so that only material of
historical value is accepted and so that there is not
undue duplication.
Text books no longer in use but which have been important
texts in their time or which have been written by noteworthy
ophthalmic practitioners or which deal with subjects
of curious interest are also held in the collection.
The best books in the archive are held on display
in the Nathan Library with the best books of the Lloyd
Hewett collection.
Some artifacts are displayed in the display cabinets
in the Nathan Library, on the third level of the west
spine and in the Schutz foyer.
Artifacts not on display are stored in the storage
cupboards in the display cabinets in the Schulz foyer
and the west spine. Books and paper records not on
display are stored in the Library file room.
All material held in the C W Kett Archive will be
catalogued and will identified in the catalogue as
being in that collection so that a list of the holdings
in the collection can be compiled.
These collections are maintained by our honorary archivists
- Mr
Michael Aitken LOSc FVCO
- Mrs Pamela Sutton BScOptom
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