Modern Australian Literature Dalhousie University, Killam Memorial Library Subjects Australian literature History A collection of twentieth century Australian literature was systematically assembled between 1940 and 1984 by Dr. S.E. Sprott, a former George Munro Professor of English Language and Literature at Dalhousie University and a native Australian. Dr. Sprott presented the library with his collection in 1984. Description The collection is a comprehensive collection of books of, and relating to, Australian literature. It includes bibliographies, novels, short stories, poems, plays, anthologies, criticism, biographies, memoirs, essays, and works on art and other subjects pertinent to literature. The collection has strong holdings of most Australian literary writers of all periods, as well as selections of many minor writers, particularly poets. Also included are some eight hundred items published before 1960 and many signed works and important association items from the libraries of George MacKaness (historian and editor) and Kenneth Slessor (poet). Complete files of a number of rare small poetry periodicals are an important feature. Most of the collection is post 1960 because literature in Australia was slow to evolve and the body of available Australian literature is small. Material from all parts of Australia is included. The major literary serials are not included in the collection. A number of exceedingly rare Australian literary works are also unavailable. Australian literature is presently collected on a very selective basis. Comparative Australian and Canadian literature is collected at a comprehensive level. Current minor Australian authors and Australian small press publications are not collected. Language English. Holdings 4,380 monographs; 30 serials; 5 audiotapes; 5 spoken word records. The collection does not currently receive any serials although the library itself receives 7 Australian literature journals. Bibliographic Access The collection is fully catalogued. LC subject headings and classification are used. The holdings are recorded in the Nova Scotia Union Catalogue, and through the Libraries on-line catalogue Novanet. S.E. Sprott's bibliography (see below) describes the collection. Physical Access One quarter of the collection is in the Special Collections Department and three quarters is in the main library collection. The collection is open to the public. For further information visit: http://www.library.dal.ca/duasc/. Interlibrary Loan: Available except for material in Special Collections. Reprography: Photocopying and photography services are available. Reference Assistance: Yes Publications Describing Collection Sprott, S.E. -- A collection of Australian literature at Dalhousie University: a description. -- Halifax, N.S. : Dalhousie University Library, 1988.