HV Evatt Library
History
The library is named after Dr H V Evatt who, as Minister for External Affairs from 1941 to 1949, played a vital part in the early years of the United Nations.
Services
The H V Evatt Library provides a complete library and information service for the staff of the department, both in Australia and overseas.
Services include:
- Locating, selecting, acquiring and making available a wide range of published and online information resources relevant to the department.
- Providing a prompt and efficient reference service that anticipates and responds to reference and information requests.
- Educating and informing DFAT staff on how to access and use information resources and services.
- Providing a current awareness service to alert clients to new resources.
- Facilitating access to information resources held within the department.
- Providing access to information resources held outside the department through participation in library and resource sharing networks.
- Collecting information published in the public domain by and about the department.
Collections
The library holds an extensive collection of resources in the priority areas of foreign relations and trade related matters. Within these broad subject categories the collection will emphasise the following aspects in relation to foreign countries:
- Political issues
- Trade and economic issues
- Description of countries, their history and culture
- Travel guides to assist with official travel
- International law
- Human rights issues
Reading list
This list of titles is recommended reading for those interested in the work of the department, especially in the area of foreign affairs.
Staffing
The library has two full time APS staff - the Library Manager and Reference Librarian. These staff are supplemented by qualified part time contract staff.
Access
The Library is open Monday to Friday between 9.30 and 5 pm. The H V Evatt Library is not open to members of the public.
Public access to the Library's resources is through the Australia wide interlibrary lending scheme. The Library's holdings are listed on the National Bibliographic Database and can be borrowed by other libraries. Researcher and post graduate student access may be granted if the H V Evatt Library is the only library in Canberra holding relevant material. A request to visit must be arranged in advance, preferably via e-mail. A clear rationale for the visit should be included in the request.
Staff from overseas embassies are welcome to visit and borrow items, with prior notice being preferred.
Contact details
Location: R.G. Casey Building, John McEwen Crescent, Barton, ACT
Postal address: H V Evatt Library, Locked Bag 8, Kingston, ACT 2604
Library Manager: (02) 6261 2737
Reference Librarian: (02) 6261 2650
e-mail: dfat.library@dfat.gov.au