Cirrus@Austlit

'Issue No 100 celebrates 50 years of the La Trobe Journal. Fittingly, this special edition is jam-packed with 50 articles exploring the treasure trove of collection items acquired thanks to the efforts of the Friends of the Library and its predecessors, and donors who have generously contributed to the Library's fundraising appeals.

'The varied items described range from the portrait of William Buckley purchased in 1967, one of the Friends' earliest acquisitions, through to the recent completion of the Library's set of Banks' Florilegium prints.

'Largely written by current or former staff members of the Library, the articles highlight the significance of each item and reveal the stories behind their acquisition. From Rare Books and Pictures to Australian Manuscripts and Children's Books, the Library's collections have been enhanced by items as diverse as the Fawkner Papers, the Times Digital Archive, the Blinky Bill Collection, the Rennie Ellis Collection and the Howard Arkley Archive.

'The edition celebrates not only the Library's commitment to our wonderful collections, but also the extraordinary contributions of the Friends and the Foundation in supporting the Library to continue to acquire unique and rare collection items for all Victorians to enjoy.

'Become a Friend of the Library and receive a free annual subscription to the La Trobe Journal. Friends also receive a 10% discount if they purchase additional copies of the Journal.' (Editorial introduction)