Background and programs

JCPML programs support the University's commitment to innovation and excellence in teaching and research for the benefit of Curtin staff and students and the wider community.

Background

The JCPML is Australia's first prime ministerial library and is situated on the Bentley campus of Curtin University in Perth, Western Australia. Its mission is' to recognise wartime prime minister and international statesman John Curtin (1885-1945) by facilitating research and providing educational and public outreach programs which engage the Curtin and wider community.'

The JCPML develops and manages a unique collection of scholarly resources focusing on the life and times of John Curtin and provides modern facilities and services to support research within the archives. Under Foundation Director, Dr Vicki Williamson, and Foundation Archivist, Kandy-Jane Henderson, the JCPML opened to the public on 20 February 1998.

The Foundation Patron of the JCPML is the Hon Edward Gough Whitlam, Prime Minister of Australia from 1972 to 1975. In 2009, the Hon Paul Keating, Prime Minister of Australia from 1991 to 1996, took on the position of Patron. Emeritus Professor David Black holds the honorary position of JCPML Historical Consultant.

The JCPML published an Annual Review from 1998 to 2003 and regular newsletters document its development from as early as 1994, continuing to the present.

The JCPML maintains collaborative relationships with a number of other collecting and research institutions of relevance to its collection foci and programs including the National Archives of Australia and the National Library of Australia.

Programs

A Visiting Scholar is appointed each year to undertake in depth research within the collections under the Visiting Scholars Program.

Public events include an anniversary event, usually around 5 July each year, lectures by Visiting Scholars, book launches, and exhibition openings.

Onsite, online and travelling education programs are presented for primary,secondary and tertiary students as well as community members. These encompass exhibition visits, role plays, document studies, 'Treasure Boxes' for use in classrooms, and online resources and activities.

The JCPML maintains a major exhibition with a focus on John Curtin, develops temporary displays and travelling exhibitions which showcase the collection, and brings touring exhibitions onto campus.

The content rich JCPML website provides a range of educational resources as well as providing access to information about the JCPML and to the collections. From May 2002, the JCPML website has been archived by the National Library of Australia's PANDORA (Preserving and Accessing Networked Documentary Resources of Australia). See Archiving the JCPML website for further details.

Program Statement and Brochure

The Program Statement 2011 (250Kbyte) and Brochure (1.2Mbyte) provide further information about the the JCPML and its programs.