Using the Library of the Royal Geographical Society of South Australia
Public enquiries are
welcome. Hours:
Tuesday to Friday 10 am to 1
pm
Librarians:
Kevin Griffin, Phyl Twigg, Michael Dover and David Wald.
Phone:
08 82077266 Fax: 08
82077225 Email: library@rgssa.org.au
Location:
The Library and the Society’s office are located on level 2 of the
Mortlock Wing of the State Library of South Australia, North Terrace, Adelaide.
(PO Box 419 Adelaide, 5001)
(Directions:
Enter the main State Library entrance, cross the walkway to the old building and
proceed to the far (southern) end of the display hall. The RGSSA Library and
Office are located at the top of the stairs.)
By prior arrangement Library material can be made available
for reading in the State Library’s Somerville Reading Room.
Catalogues
Most of
the Library’s Australiana collection and rare books (‘specials’) are
catalogued on the State Library’s website; (http://www.catalog.slsa.sa.gov.au/screens/opacmenu.html)
If you type in the words 'York Gate Australia' in a key word
search at this site a listing of many of the Society's Australiana rare books
are obtained, or 'York and Gate' will list most of the rare volumes
RGSSA
books are indicated by the following location information in the catalogue
record:
*
RGS Australiana collection These
books are housed in the Library. Most books in this category published after
1900 are available for loan to members.
* RGS Special Collections. Housed
in the Library.
The Society's library is based on four private collections that have given it a broad base in historical geography, colonial history, anthropology and travel.
The York Gate Colonial and Geographical Library
In 1905 the Society purchased the York Gate Library of S.W. Silver, a London shipping merchant. This collection is largely made up of explorers' accounts, colonial histories and handbooks, and rare atlases, including Abraham Ortelius's world atlas of 1598 and Arnold Colum's Zee-atlas of c.1650.
The York Gate Library also includes Sir Joseph Banks' manuscript diary of his expedition to Newfoundland in 1766 and original watercolours by George French Angas.
The Library is available for reference by the general public. There are reading room facilities for study and trained librarians are on hand to assist with enquiries. Over 860 volumes were printed prior to 1801, the largest specialist geographical library in
Australia.
The Library of Thomas Gill
The library of Thomas Gill was acquired by the Society in 1924. This collection is particularly rich in South Australian and Australian exploration.
The Library of F. Lucas Benham
The library of F. Lucas Benham, added in 1939 has strengths in anthropology, geography and travel.
The Jim Faull Library
In 1990 Jim Faull donated to the Society his personal collection on South Australian local history.
New books continue to be purchased for the library, with some books and periodicals being obtained by gift and exchange. In addition to the books and periodicals there are over 800 maps and some 250 manuscripts, including:-
Contact the library library@rgssa.org.au
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