Major bequest benefits library users

A bequest of $131 500 has been given to the library from the estate of Monash University Emeritus Professor, Jean Whyte.

Professor Whyte was the foundation professor in the Graduate School of Librarianship, established at Monash University in 1975, a position from which she retired in 1988.

In his definitive obituary, appearing in The Age newspaper on 18-19 April 2003, friend and executor Brian McMullin stated that her death marked the passing of one of the dominant figures in Australian librarianship in the second half of the 20th century.

“This generous bequest is most gratefully received by the library,” said Monash University Librarian, Cathrine Harboe-Ree.

The funds will be used to enhance the library’s research collections in English literature, librarianship and philosophy, reflective of the professional and personal interests of Professor Whyte.

“Professor Whyte was very much aware of the educational value of a world-class library collection and her generous bequest will benefit current and future students and staff of Monash University long into the future,” said Ms Harboe-Ree.

Professor Whyte, a keen book collector, also bequeathed a large part of her personal collection of rare books to the library, including her substantial collection of Australian poetry and private-press books.

One of Professor Whyte’s last public appearances was at the launch of her book of verse, The poems of Callimachus, published by the Ancora Press in 2000.

"A very 'Monash' affair, the launch was held in the Rare Books exhibition area of the Matheson Library and the printers, Ancora Press, are located in the Monash Centre for the Book in the Menzies Building on the Clayton campus," said Rare Books Librarian, Richard Overell.

Special book plates will enable library users to identify resources available as a result of the bequest from Professor Whyte.

The School of Information Management and Systems in Monash University’s Faculty of Information Technology is also a beneficiary of Professor Whyte's estate.

A substantial sum was bequeathed to support research in librarianship, archives and records, including grant assistance to students seeking to undertake masters or doctoral degrees by research in these fields.

"The bequest is generous, timely, and most gratefully received," said Head of School, Professor Sue McKemmish.

"Although much progress has been made in developing research activities in the Information Management disciplines, the Jean Whyte bequest will encourage even greater efforts in areas such as history of libraries and archives, where there is a great deal of rewarding work to be done."

Read the full text of the obituary Yadlamalka girl shaped Australian Librarianship.

17 May 2004

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Monash University Emeritus Professor, Jean Whyte
27 June 1923-18 March 2003
Photo taken in 1988, courtesy of Monpix