VPRS 12184 Sales of Publications and Stock Books

Established in 1856 the functions of Victorias public library have been to provide reference and research library services in its own building and a support service to municipal libraries. Historically this agency has been known as the Melbourne Public Library (1856-1869) and the Public Library of Victoria (1869-1960). Since 1960 the Library has been referred to as the State Library of Victoria.From the period of its establishment in 1856 through to 1944 the library had been administered by a Board of Trustees which was responsible for managing and controlling the Public Library, the National Museum, the Industrial and Technology Museum and the National Gallery. In 1944 separate boards of Trustees were established for each agency.These volumes detail the income that the Trustees made from the sales of catalogues and reports of the Public Library, National Gallery and Museums during the years 1862 through to 1970. Initially the only stock for sale were catalogues and copies of the Trustees Annual Reports. From 1869 gallery reproductions of statues, coins and other forms of ceramic art were available for sale. Stock for sale varied over the years. By 1945 stock sold included amongst other things post cards, guides to gallery collections, aboriginal art booklets, gallery reproductions and photographs.This series was initially part of the backlog in the repository as five separate unappraised series. However, it was evident following appraisal that the volumes should be merged and incorporated into one series.Sales and Gifts of Catalogues and Reports 1862-1880Receipts from Fines, Damage to Books and Sale of Catalogues and Postcards 1892-1893Sales of Publications 1901-1943Stocks of Publications 1945-1948Stocks Book 1964-1970Although the volumes do have different titles the information contained within is consistent with the exception of the volume entitled Receipts from Fines, Damage to Books and Sale of Catalogues and Postcards. This volume served two functions. It recorded the sales of postcards and catalogues as well as registering the fines for overdue and damaged books.This series would have formed part of the standard accounting records of the Public Library.