'Arrogant conceit and impertinence': John Metcalfe's secondment to the University of Sydney Library.(Biography)

In the mid 1950s the University of Sydney Library, the oldest and largest university library in Australia, officially comprised the Fisher Library and three branch libraries--a law library and two medical libraries--all of them under the authority of the University's librarian. In addition, there were about twenty unofficial libraries in academic departments organised and maintained by the departments concerned, the collections of which were mostly on 'indefinite loan' from the Fisher Library. Total holdings were approximately 370 000 volumes, and the Library's staff numbered about 45.

There were problems with the Library's administration. Since 1946 it had been administered by Edward Steel, who had joined the library staff in 1911 and had risen through the ranks to become chief cataloguer, then assistant librarian, and finally librarian. Steel's assistant librarian, Kenneth Burrow, had died unexpectedly in 1954. Steel's own health was described as 'indifferent' and without a deputy to cover absences and assume particular responsibilities the Library's administration was often under strain. Steel was due to retire at the end of 1958 and it had become a priority to fill Burrow's vacancy with someone who would be a strong candidate for succession to the librarianship.

The position of assistant librarian had been advertised in 1954 but there were no suitable applicants, and it was agreed that members of the selection committee 'would make enquiries regarding other possible candidates.' (1) In February 1955 the Vice-Chancellor, Professor S H Roberts, informed the selection committee 'that Mr J W Metcalfe, principal librarian in the Public Library, was interested in coming to the University'. The committee considered 'the terms stated by Mr Metcalfe, and agreed in view of the conditions requested by Mr Metcalfe he be no longer considered.' (2) Metcalfe's terms and conditions were not recorded.

In late 1955 the position was renamed deputy librarian and readvertised 'mentioning the possible succession to the position of librarian' when Steel retired, but again no suitable applicants appeared. 'It was mentioned [to the selection committee] that Mr Metcalfe was still interested in coming to the University, and the vice-chancellor agreed to ascertain the terms under which he would come'. (3) In April, 1956 the committee 'considered the terms, namely, that Mr Metcalfe would spend six months in Fisher Library and then submit a survey on the needs of the library.' The vice-chancellor was asked to approach the Minister for Education 'to see if this could be arranged'. (4)

In August 1956 Roberts reported this history to the Senate (the University's governing body) and informed it that the Minister, the chairman of the Public Service Board, and the trustees of the Public Library had agreed to release Metcalfe for this assignment. 'Mr Steel, who is approaching retirement and has been in indifferent health for some time, is in complete accord with the proposal. It is clearly understood that there is no commitment on either side beyond the six-monthly period.' (Despite this assurance Roberts was apparently keen to get Metcalfe to move to the university. The Professorial Board's Library Executive Committee was informed two months later that 'The vice-chancellor wished to invite Mr Metcalfe to consider the possibility of accepting the deputy librarianship and succeeding to the librarianship on the retirement of the present librarian.' (5) The senate resolved 'that ... Mr J W Metcalfe be invited to act as full-time consultant on library services to the University library for a period of six months from 1st September, 1956 with the status of Deputy Librarian and with the primary function of reporting on the needs of library facilities within the University'. (6)

'The needs of library facilities'…