'2010 marks the centenary of the Mitchell Library in Sydney. When its doors opened on 9 March 1910, thanks to its founding benefactor, David Scott Mitchell, it was possible for the first time to research the history of Australia and the Pacific through access to original records. Mitchell's bequest of books, manuscripts, maps, and pictures - the most comprehensive collection of its type in the world - provided Australia, in one fell swoop, with its first major research library.' (Publisher's abstract, p. 33)