The challenge of developing Australia's first Prime Ministerial Library — the John Curtin Prime Ministerial Library

A presentation to the Second ordinary meeting of The University of Western Australia Convocation, 18th September 1998 by Vicki Williamson, University Librarian and Director of the John Curtin Prime Ministerial Library, Curtin University of Technology, Perth.

Introduction [Slide 1]

Thank you very much for the invitation to share some the experiences of my involvement in the development of Australia's first Prime Ministerial Library — the John Curtin Prime Ministerial Library (JCPML) with you this evening. It's a long story and not all aspects of it are yet ready to be told in a public forum. Some of it is intensely personal and would only bore you. Nevertheless, some aspects of the story are interesting and it's a small selection of these that I'll share with you this evening. I hope the slides help to set the mood and the context.

In particular, I'll be speaking a little about:

• John Curtin — the man
• Selected experiences from my study tour and visits to US presidential libraries.

In conclusion, I'd like to make some personal remarks about the value of a university education and the roles and responsibilities that such an education makes incumbent on us all.

The John Curtin Centre (JCC) [Slide 2]

It's a rare chance in any professional career to have the opportunity to be involved in envisioning, planning and developing something from scratch and something that is new. When I first became involved with the JCC project at Curtin University of Technology little did I know what lay ahead in terms of personal and professional challenges and opportunities.

My University's decision to build a Centre dedicated to Australia's wartime Prime Minister John Curtin, after whom the University is named, was indeed an ambitious and innovative project. The JCC vision was to create a world-class centre of educational excellence, a showcase for the University's programs and an imposing community gateway for its educational and cultural activities. The JCC comprises Australia's first Prime Ministerial Library, a purpose built Art Gallery to house visiting exhibitions and the University's art collection and the John Curtin International Institute (JCII) as its educational heart and international showcase.

[Slide 3]

The vision for Australia's first Prime Ministerial Library was simple and it was articulated for fund raising purposes well before I became involved. The Library was to honour John Curtin and it was to use state-of-the-art information technology and systems to create an electronic archive. Sounds simple and easy?

1992 — what a year and what a challenge

My involvement with the JCC project began shortly after taking up my appointment as University Librarian in 1992.

One morning, very shortly after my appointment I passed our then Vice Chancellor, Professor John Maloney in the corridor. We exchanged greetings and John paused and said: "Ah, yes, Vicki — I'd like you to make an appointment and come and talk with me. I have a little project that I'd like you to help me with!"

As if taking over from the institution's Foundation Librarian of 25 years wasn't already a big step career-wise for me. Adding to this the opportunity to be part of the JCC project brought a whole new dimension to the challenge.

Discovering John Curtin — the man [Slide 4]

While my initial university studies saw me major in Australian history and politics (at the University of New England in Armidale, NSW) my career had moved away from this initial scholarly interest. Becoming involved with the JCC project gave me a chance to become re-acquainted.

The majority of Perth residents, other than you, know little about John Curtin. Early on in the project we commissioned a survey in the Hays Street Mall in Perth. We surveyed people about their knowledge of who John Curtin was. We discovered a distinct lack of knowledge about our wartime Prime Minister. In fact only 9% of those interviewed could name Australia's wartime PM. It was interesting to note however, that over 90% of those interviewed knew who Winston Churchill was and could also name his US wartime counterpart, President Roosevelt.

[Slide 5]

I'm pleased to say that the JCPML is helping Australians to learn more about their wartime leader. Through the activities of our outreach program, visitors to our campus (including many international visitors) are getting to know about the person after whom our university is named. Our year 12 Schools' Program is helping to introduce a new generation to John Curtin. Why not visit the JCPML especially our permanent exhibition John Curtin: A man of peace; a time of war, which resides in the Wesfarmers Gallery at the John Curtin Prime Ministerial Library and Gallery? I can also recommend the recent publication by our foundation-visiting scholar, the late Dr Geoffrey Serle: Prime Minister John Curtin: For Australia and Labor. Our website at: www.john.curtin.edu.au also contains a lot of information.

[Slide 6]

In summary then, who was John Curtin? Dr Serle's recent book provides many insights about Curtin - the man.

[Slide 7]

• Born in Creswick, Victoria on January 8 1885. He came from a poor family and his father worked as prison warder, policeman and hotel manager. He attended State and Catholic schools in seven different towns. He left school at 13 and worked in various jobs as office assistant and labourer.
• He read voraciously at the Melbourne Public Library. One of his favourite pastimes was participating in "soap boxing" on the Yarra Bank. Once he said, "The Yarra Bank was my university". We haven't yet found his library card.
• In 1902 he met his local state parliamentary member, Frank Anstey, who was to become his mentor; he attended Anstey's Sunday morning study-circle.
• In 1903 commenced work as an estimates clerk with the Titan Manufacturing Company.
• In 1906 Curtin published his first writing in the Socialist.
• 1911-1915 - secretary of the Victorian Timber Workers' Union.

[Slide 8]

• 1917 was an important year for Curtin. He arrived in Perth to become the editor of the Westralian Worker (he wrote many of the articles as well as the editorials) and he married Elsie Needham.

[Slide 9]

• According to Serle, Jack and Elsie Curtin had a happy, stable marriage; her support was incalculable. 'Dad' and 'Nippy' they called each other.
• 1919 - stood for the Federal seat of Perth. Decisively beaten.
• 1920-1925 - State district president of the Australian Journalists' Association. His AJA WA District Badge (No 56) is in the JCPML Collection. According to Serle:
  
  "Curtin was gregarious round the fire at the Hotel Kurrajong in Canberra or at the football. He was always good for a yarn....On duty, he was friendly, firm and effective in dealing with important people. He conversed easily with waiters, maids, liftmen and tram conductors; the staff at the Victoria Coffee palace, Melbourne, were devoted to him. He liked plain food, such as roast lamb and vegetables, always missing Elise's cooking. Curtin loved vaudeville and musical comedy, was a film addict especially fond of Claudette Colbert and Greer Harson, and read 'Westerns' for relaxation; his favourite songs, occasionally attempted, were Sweet Genevieve and Little Gray Home in the West...He was a crossword addict and billards player. Sport remained prominent in his life."
  
  His WACA Membership Badge for the 1933-34 season (No 219) is part of the JCPML Collection. We also hold Curtin's badges for the Cottesloe Beach Ex-Scholars Football Club (1933, No 38) and the South Fremantle Football Club, 1934 (no 101).
• 1928 - won the marginal Federal seat of Fremantle.
• 1931 - lost the seat of Fremantle.
• 1931-1934 - free-lance writing for various newspapers; sports writer for the Westralian Worker; publicity officer for the Perth Trades Hall Council; and chairman of the advisory council preparing WA's case before the Commonwealth Grants Commission.
• 1934 - Regained the seat of Fremantle.
• 1935 - Labor leader James Scullin resigned as leader due to ill health. Curtin elected leader over favourite Frank Forde by one vote.
• 1940 - Federal election. Curtin campaigned in NSW to capture marginal seats for Labor. Neglected own seat. For a while it appeared he had lost Fremantle. When asked by agitated friends and journalists what he would do, he replied: "I shall not chase my destiny. If Fremantle, which sent me to the Federal Parliament, rejects me from the Federal Parliament, that will be the end of politics for me." Managed to retain seat.
• 1941 - October. Fadden's government brought down. 7 October, Curtin became Prime Minister.
  
  

[Slide 10]

• 1942 - Curtin made the famous New Year speech:
• "The Australian Government therefore regards the Pacific struggle as primarily one in which the United States and Australia must have the fullest say in the direction of the democracies' fighting plan. Without any inhibitions of any kind, I make it quite clear that Australia looks to America, free of any pangs as to our traditional links or kinship with the United Kingdom. We know the problems that the United Kingdom faces. We know the constant threat of invasion. We know the dangers of dispersal of strength. But we know, too, that Australia can go, and Britain can still hold on."
• 1942 - May. Curtin informed that British Prime Minister Winston Churchill has persuaded American President Franklin D Roosevelt to accept his "Beat Hitler first" policy. Often in conflict with Churchill and Roosevelt. Wrote to his wife, "The war goes very badly & I have a cable fight with Churchill almost daily...".
• 1944 - Attended Prime Ministers' Conference in England — one of his few overseas trips. Curtin hated flying and never owned a car, preferring to walk or catch public transport. On this trip he also visited Washington. If you visit our exhibition you can read the account of his expenses on that trip!
• 1945 - July 5, Curtin died. Buried in the Karrakatta cemetery, according to Serle a war casualty if ever there was one. The inscription on his gravestone is: "His country was his pride/His brother man his cause".
  
  

[Slide 11]

The original handwritten eulogy delivered by his friend Hector Harrison is a prized item in the JCPML Collection.

Numerous memorials remain, notably in Cottesloe and Canberra. Sir Paul Hasluck wrote about Curtin extensively, concluding: that whether or not Curtin was a great prime minister, he was certainly a very great man.

US Presidential Libraries [Slides 12 and 13]

Early on in the project we looked to the US presidential libraries for experiences and help in conceptualising what the JCPML might look like, what services, facilities and programs it might operate and how its professional practice might be structured. The link with US presidential libraries has been very useful but is sometimes misunderstood, especially by our professional communities. For example, our professional communities find it difficult to accept that we call ourselves a library when we are really a working archive!

The link with US presidential libraries was for practical reasons and mostly to do with fund-raising and public relations in North America. Nevertheless, the experiences of some of the US presidential libraries did to some extent save us from reinventing the professional practice wheel.

However, as our thinking matured and we researched the US presidential libraries model further (Williamson, 1993) it was evident that we needed to take account of some special Australian characteristics in establishing and developing the underpinning professional values of the JCPML. For example, the legal/legislative environment in which the JCPML operates is quite different from that in North America. So too, there are some social/cultural differences (for example, the general
public's attitude towards Australian politicians vis-a-vis the culture of leadership in North America). There is also some different professional practice issues (for example, a lack of a philanthropic tradition and acceptance of private/specialist archives in Australia compared with the US; and, the nature of the relationship between the professions of archives, librarianship and museums in Australia).

The JCPML has attempted to establish itself in an operating environment that fully recognises the realities of our Australianness.

In particular, JCPML has deliberately set out to

• blend professional practice from the fields of librarianship, education, archives and museums into an integrated service model,
• exploit new and emerging communication/information systems and technology to provide enhanced access, and
• educate not venerate.

It remains to be seen whether or not the JCPML model will be further replicated in Australia. We are watching closely developments with the recently announced Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Library, in Adelaide at the University of South Australia.

The 1993 Study Tour - Visiting Ronnie, Jimmy and Ladybird [Slide 14]

In 1993 Professor Maloney made it possible for me to undertake a short study tour of selected US presidential libraries and a number of the leading museums and the National Archives in Washington D.C. This was truly a wonderful professional experience. It opened my eyes and challenged me professionally — how do you take the best of the US presidential library model, modify it in light of the likely JCPML budget and adjust it to suit the Australian cultural context?

Franklin D. Roosevelt can rightly be called the father of the presidential library. Concerned about the volume of papers and other documents being generated by his second term in office, he had a vision that led to the establishment of the first presidential library to be administered by the US National Archives.

[Slide 15]

Presidential libraries are amazing institutions, both physically and culturally. Each year over a million people visit presidential libraries. The sites fascinate the everyday visitor by their size and their impressive and sometimes revealing portraits of the presidents and their families. In addition, the libraries serve scholars through the formal collection of official records, photos, films and personal papers of the president and their staffs.

It's only since 1978 that presidential papers have been regarded as historical documents. Prior to Roosevelt many presidential collections, by tradition considered the private property of their originators, met ignoble fates. Presidential papers normally became government property through gift of deed until 1978. Then, as a result of the Watergate scandal and former president Nixon's refusal to turn certain presidential papers over to the government, Congress passed the Presidential Records Act of 1978. This gave ownership of the presidential records of Ronald Reagan and his successors to the United States. Consequently, documents filed in the White House now remains in the custody of the National Archives.

[Slide 16]

On the 1993-study tour I visited the Reagan, Johnson, Carter and Bush libraries. In subsequent trips I have also visited Roosevelt, Nixon, Kennedy and revisited LBJ.

Some common themes to emerge:

[Slides 17-34]

• Presidential libraries are big
• Some of them venerate while others educate
• The more recent ones have highly successful school and educational programs (eg Carter);
• Most have a replica of the oval office — except Bush which has his Camp David office.
• Some (but not all) have associations with local universities (Carter with Emory University; Johnson with the University of Texas, Austin and Bush is built in the grounds of Texas A & M in College Station).
• All are interesting locations (eg Nixon and Roosevelt; Reagan)
• Many contain the burial site for the president (Nixon and Roosevelt); some also contain the birthplace and family home.
• Some have private apartments used by the presidents during their lifetimes (eg Carter and Reagan)

The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library became the model for the JCPML for a number of reasons:

• Its efforts to educate not venerate — for example, the exhibition on the Middle East Hostage Crisis
• Its modest (by US standards) approach — for example, its gift shop/souvenir selection, the influence of Carter himself.

But it's Johnson I keep revisiting and think is now probably my favourite because:

• It continues to keep faith with the original concept but continually reinvents itself (eg a growing emphasis on Ladybird and her work on environmental issues)
• It has a registered post office on site - you can buy your postcards and stamps there and have your cards postmarked LBJ Library. When you have a brother who is a stamp fanatic you'll appreciate why this is important.
• It's linked to an era I identify with. I can remember "all the way with LBJ" and that big, black, bullet-proof car that they brought to Australia for the LBJ visit. It's the first thing you see when you enter the LBJ Library!

New Technology and the JCPML [Slide 35]

The limits of time this evening hasn't made it possible for me to speak about the challenge of technology and the concept of the electronic research archive. However, if you are interested in this aspect, visit our website and read our recent paper presented to the National Conference of the Australian Society of Archivists (it's available at: http://john.curtin.edu.au/aboutus/papers/vwasa1998.html)

Guiding principles and the value of the university education [Slide 36]

Recently I've given a lot of thought to the question of "If I had my time over again would I choose to become involved?" I know the answer is 'Yes!'

I have always considered myself to be privileged to have had a University education. No other member of my family (past or present) has had this experience. And it would probably not have come my way if it hadn't been for the persistence of a particular nun at my School and the decision of the Whitlam government to abolish tertiary fees.

Over the years I've had direct associations with the following universities:

University of New England, in Armidale where I gained my initial qualification, discovered student politics, feminism and sex. It was the era when others discovered sex, drugs and rock-and-roll. Some years later I also studied part-time for my Diploma of Education at UNE. I remain a life member of the UNE University Union and the Convocation and I vote regularly in their elections.

University of Canberra where I gained post-graduate qualifications in Librarianship and a Masters degree. I wouldn't say I have a close relationship with that institution Doing a research degree through summer school sessions was not a great deal of fun and Canberra is not a great place to spend your Christmas New Year holiday break. However, I did buy my academic dress from there and I wear it proudly on as many occasions as possible. Recently the Department of Information Studies asked me to contribute an article on the value of research in librarianship to a special volume they are editing.

Curtin University of Technology has been my home for the last decade and was my only reason for moving to the Perth community. This year I became a student at my university when I enrolled in doctoral studies in education.

I have often thought about moving out of higher education but my involvement with the JCC has reinforced that I work in this industry because I like it and I am committed to life long learning and contributing to an informed society. A society where tolerance and understanding can foster a culture of informed debate about issues of significance to the community.

I think the reason that I've enjoyed working on the JCC project is that John Curtin himself, all those years ago, stood for many of the values that are important to me, my university, and most fair-minded Australians.

Curtin showed vision, demonstrated leadership and was concerned for his community throughout his lifetime. Curtin University of Technology aspires to articulate these same values in its programs and activities. The JCC was conceived as an ambitious vision, designed to show leadership in the region and to engender a sense of community within the university and at local, state, national and international level. The JCPML offers a new vision about access to our cultural heritage. It is demonstrating leadership in professional practice (through projects like its Electronic Research Archives) and is helping to engender a sense of community by acting as a gateway for the community to learn about is past in order to build a better future.

[Slide 37]

The JCPML has brought me into contact with many people of vision who provide leadership in their communities. Many, many people have contributed to the realisation of the JCC vision. I would however pay tribute to Professor John Maloney, former Vice Chancellor of Curtin University of Technology. It was a great honour and privilege for me to be able to work with him.

In conclusion let me say: As university graduates I think we all have a role and responsibility to think about:

• What is the vision for our own life?
• How do we show leadership in our respective fields?
• What contribution do we make to our community?