library Library special collections

Alice Springs Collection



Joy Cuskey (later Joy Brucek), Alice Springs' first librarian, supervising the arrival of the Library's first books in 1958.

The Alice Springs Collection is unique in its focus on Central Australia - its history, geography and cultural, scientific and economic development. The collection is a record of both the area's heritage and of change, encompassing the movement of Europeans into the area, economic activities such as pastoralism, mining and indigenous art movements, and the area's many active local organisations.

Akaltye Antheme

Akaltye Antheme



Children’s Manager John Chisholm & Indigenous Services Officer Sylvia Neale giving a talk about the Collection.

pronounced ‘aculcha andum’, is a local knowledge collection intended to give the whole community an insight into contemporary Indigenous issues while addressing appropriately the needs of Indigenous family groups and individuals using the library. Akaltye Antheme is an Arrernte term meaning ‘Giving Knowledge’. It was given by Lhere Artepe, the Alice Springs native title holders' organisation, to describe the purpose and content of this library initiative.

Nevil Shute Collection

Since the publication of A Town like Alice Nevil Shute and the The Nevil Shute Norway Foundation, a group of Shute aficionados dedicated to remembering his work, have maintained an association with the town. As part of the Council's commitment to this The Alice Springs Public Library has a permanent display of his work.

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