Volunteers who dedicate their time to their chosen cause are truly remarkable individuals. Their motivations vary, from a desire to give back, to supporting personal connections, or simply a passion for using their skills and knowledge to benefit others. Here at the State Library, we're grateful to have a diverse team of committed volunteers who contribute to both front-of-house activities and behind-the-scenes projects.
We spoke with one of our behind-the-scenes volunteers, Judy Darwin, who has chosen to dedicate her volunteered time to the archival collections. Read on to find out what inspired her to volunteer and what sparked her passion for archives.
Judy’s career began in 1989 as a part-time Library Technician for South Australia’s Department of Labour. She then moved to the Commission for Public Employment and worked in the government’s Special Library. By 2006 Judy had commenced a six-month contract in the State Library’s archival team.
Working with archives was relatively new to Judy, as her previous roles have been within librarianship. Her thoughts about archives were not that agreeable!
“I thought Archives were dusty things in dusty boxes in someone’s basement and lost to the elements.”
But once she began working within the State Library’s archives, she discovered the magic of what archives hold and, more importantly, what they can tell.
“Every single item or image has a story in it”
During the contract, Judy contributed to the SA Red Cross Information Bureau project, where packets of correspondence containing letters and records relating to missing or injured WW1 soldiers where added to the collection. These packets inspired the creation of the SA Red Cross Information Bureau website, providing full access to the collection.
She then moved on to another endeavor, enhancing the descriptions of 12,000 photographs which would later become part of the State Library's catalogue description. Judy pieced together the stories behind each image.
“Being able to view each photo and take the time to sleuth and piece together the story in the photo helps us to provide an accurate description of the image for when the public access the photo.”
Her dedication and attention to detail were evident in instances when she corrected a catalogue entry titled "Rundel St, 1878," which actually depicted the Duke York Hotel on Currie Street.
Though Judy concluded her contract in 2007 and left the public sector, her passion for archival work led her back to the State Library as a volunteer, where she continues her contributions.
However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted operations, forcing the closure of the State Library and halting volunteer activities. It wasn't until later, in 2021, that Judy resumed her volunteer work, this time focusing on the newly acquired Holden Collection, a treasure trove of records from the defunct Holden Pty Ltd.
Judy's volunteering varied from assisting staff with projects to general archival activities. When the opportunity arose to participate in an exhibition on mid-century modern architecture, Judy eagerly volunteered, drawn to the style's aesthetic appeal. Judy said,
“I love the style of mid century modern homes, so working with the images to describe them very interesting for me. The mid-century modern project consisted of 19 metres of boxes from various architectural firms. That’s almost the length of a cricket pitch!”
When Judy visits the library to volunteer, there would be a box on the desk waiting for her. Judy would pull out the files from the box and look at each object. Each file containing a building project that included correspondence with clients, local council, utility provides, sketches and drawings of the build, some had photos of the landscape before and after the build.
“There was a story in each folder. Each folder contained a future home, a place for living.”
Some of the items from this collection were used in the State Library's exhibition Lust for Lifestyle: Modern Adelaide homes 1950 – 1965.
Now, Judy is currently working on transcribing an index for the Holden Collection, which has a vast array of photographs. Despite the challenges, she finds immense satisfaction in contributing to the enrichment of the State Library's collections.
“It feels satisfying to be able to do something which is intellectually stimulating, but also benefitting the State Library and it’s collections.”
The State Library extends its gratitude to Judy for her unwavering dedication and invaluable contributions to the archival collections making them accessible to the wider community.