ANZTLA celebrates 40 years
This week ALC Library played host to past and present members of the Australian and New Zealand Theological Library Association’s (ANZTLA) South Australian chapter for a celebratory lunch marking ANZTLA’s 40th anniversary. Those in attendance included past and present staff from Bible College SA, St Barnabas College, Catholic Education, Uniting College for Leadership and Theology, Tabor and ALC.
Following lunch, members from around Australia and New Zealand joined together via Zoom to reminisce and share short stories about ANZTLA’s history, tracking all the way back to the first conference held in Canberra in 1986.
As part of the SA chapter’s contribution, past members Wendy Davis and Pam Zweck spoke. Both recalled the late Trevor Zweck’s role in the formation of ANZTLA. Pastor Zweck, as well as professionalising the library services at the then Löhe Memorial Library, was one of the people instrumental in establishing ANZTLA as a formal organization for theological librarians’ networking, professional development, and support.
Pam shared her personal memories, including a tour of US libraries in 1986 that informed some of Trevor’s early work.
Trevor was also well remembered around the network with Philip Harvey from the Library of the Carmelite Monastery Melbourne, recalling the following key moment from the Second ANZTLA Conference in 1987:
On the first evening Trevor Zweck, Lutheran librarian, instructed everyone present to talk in groups with their state or Aoteroan colleagues. Memorable is his line … “You Victorians, go over in that corner and figure out what you’re doing.” This, in my judgement, is the start of the chapter system.
A common theme in the short talks from around Australia and New Zealand was the warmth that members found on joining the ANZTLA community. Several members, old and new, talked of not feeling confident at the start of their theological library careers, and shared how fellow ANZTLA members reassured them and provided guidance in their early work. Another common theme was the fun ANZTLA members have had over the years in each other’s company – something that was evident at the gathering held at ALC’s Library.
We’re proud at ALC to have been part of the formation of this important network, and to continue to support ANZTLA events.
