Lumen Summer 2016 - Flipbook - Page 16
story by Genevieve Sanchez
For the love of the library
Even after a quarter of a century at the helm of
the University of Adelaide libraries, Ray Choate
still considered himself a newcomer in the role
compared to his predecessors.
O
nly the seventh University Librarian
in the University’s history, Ray
followed the lengthy tenures of
Robert Clucas (30 years), William Cowan
(31 years) and Ira Raymond (18 years).
Recently retired, Ray grew up as far from
an Australian university library as you can
get – on a cattle ranch in Wyoming, USA.
As an undergraduate majoring in literature,
Ray shelved books at a local library for 45
cents an hour – and it was there that his
interest in libraries was sparked.
He received a Fulbright Fellowship to
study in Germany in 1963 and later taught
English at high schools in West Berlin before
completing a masters in librarianship at
Columbia University in New York.
Ray continued his travels, working as
librarian at the American School of The
Hague in the Netherlands before coming
to Australia in 1970 to work at La Trobe
University where he progressed to the
position of Deputy University Librarian.
He arrived in Adelaide in 1990 just
as the University entered a new era in
Photo by Michael Mullan
automation with the introduction of
a commercial software system.
One of his biggest changes was
overseeing the switch from hardcopy
journals to digital with nearly 200,000
electronic journals now accessible online
through the library’s website. He insisted on
retaining the Barr Smith Library printed
book collections as an important research
resource at all levels and in most disciplines.
Other key initiatives have included
reciprocal borrowing for students and staff
at the three South Australian university
libraries, the development of Adelaide
Research and Scholarship as an open
access digital repository, and in 2009 the
establishment of University of Adelaide
Press. Ray also played a key role in
converting Barr Smith Library space into
the Hub Central (a space where students
meet, study and socialise).
During his time in Australia, Ray has
made a leading contribution to the
profession nationally, holding senior positions
on various professional associations.
He says the support of alumni, Friends
of the Library and other committed
supporters are extremely important for
maintaining a quality library system.
“Generous contributions over the past
15 years of annual appeals have provided
the library with funds to acquire additional
and often unique research materials,” he
says. “I find it especially pleasing that so
many alumni and friends are also users of
our collections.”
It is also a wonderful testament to
Ray’s commitment that in the last half
of his tenure he donated over 2,500
volumes to the library.
“To be involved with these major
changes in the library, its collections and
the provision of access for the University
community has been both challenging
and rewarding,” he says. “With the
loyalty of staff, donors and the extended
University community it has been possible
to accomplish significant change.”
Ray will continue to read and collect
with a bibliophile’s passion, and in
particular will pursue his avid interest in
the areas of garden history, architecture
and the decorative arts.
Barr Smith Library Appeal
As we say goodbye to Ray, we also reflect on the
contribution that our donors have gifted to the library
during his time with us.
The 2015 Barr Smith Library appeal has so far raised
more than $132,000 taking total donations to more than
$1.2 million since the Appeal’s inception in 2002. Your
generous support keeps this inspirational place of learning
alive and offers staff and students a premier research
facility where excellent resources are readily available.
You make it possible for us to maintain our breadth of
collections, and our ability to acquire rare and unique
items which motivate and excite those who read them.
Thank you for your support.
Find out more at www.adelaide.edu.au/give
14 Lumen | Summer 2016
