Jean Fleming Arnot further papers, 1890-1995

MLMSS 3147 ADD-ON 2070

fonds

1890 -1995

Textual Records, Graphic Materials, Clippings, Photographs, Drawings, Paintings, Objects, Nonmusical Sound Recordings, Oral Histories

112740

3.14 metres of textual material (16 boxes and 1 outsize item) - manuscript, typescript, typescript, carbon, typescript, processed, typescript, photocopy, and printed

Jean Fleming Arnot (1903-1995), librarian, trade unionist and feminist, was born at Pymble, N.S.W., and educated at Fort Street Girls' High School. She never married. Her distinguished career in librarianship was served with the Public Library of New South Wales from 1921 until her retirement in 1968. She was Extension Librarian in charge of services to country areas, 1944-1948; Head Cataloguer, 1950-1968; and Acting Mitchell Librarian, 1956-1958. In 1948-1949 Jean received grants from the British Council and the Carnegie Corporation of New York to study library services in Great Britain and North America. She was a member of the Australian delegation to the First International Conference on Cataloguing Principles, held in Paris in 1961. A founding member of the Library Association of Australia in 1949, she was convenor of its Cataloguing Code Revision Committee, 1962-1968, and elected Fellow in 1963. With the LAA's precursor, the Australian Institute of Librarians, she had served as a Councillor, General Secretary,1941-1943, and President of the N.S.W. branch, 1941-1942. After she retired, Jean became Honorary Librarian of the Royal Australian Historical Society, 1975-1980. Her expertise remained in much demand; she advised on the cataloguing of private libraries and assisted the booksellers, Berkelouw. From 1937 Jean became an active campaigner for equal pay for women. In 1944 she was the recipient of the Gold Medal of the Public Service Association of N.S.W. An accomplished and popular public speaker, Miss Arnot addressed a range of issues apart from the status of women ranging from the historical to the contemporary. She honed her debating skills through her involvement with the women's service organisation, the Kooroora Club, in the 1930s. The Club's affiliation with the National Council of Women of N.S.W. led to Jean's longtime association with the latter, with whom she was President, 1960-1966, and elected Honorary Vice-President in 1972. In 1959 she was the only female representative at the Conference on Unemployment, convened by N.S.W. Premier, R. J. Heffron. She was also prominent in the activities of several other organisations as Life Member and President of the Business and Professional Women's Club, 1953-1954 and 1959-1960; President of the Australian Federation of Business and Professional Women. Division of New South Wales; founding member in 1961 and Executive Council member of the Australian Freedom from Hunger Campaign; Vice-President of the League of Women Voters, 1974-1980; longtime member of and fund-raiser for the Pan-Pacific and Southeast Asia Women's Association; and multiple office bearer of the Women's Club (Sydney, N.S.W.). Jean Fleming Arnot was appointed MBE in 1965 for services to the community.

SERIES 1
Jean Fleming Arnot personal and professional papers, 1890-1995

SERIES 2
Jean Fleming Arnot pictorial material and medals, 1920-1995

SERIES 3
Jean Fleming Arnot interviews

This collection comprises 3 record series. You may navigate to a more detailed description of each series from this collection record.

Copyright restrictions may apply:
Research & study copies allowed: Applies to documents created by Jean Arnot
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library and Courtesy of Copyright holder