James Lawrence Stapleton papers

Collection

Accession number

33744

Author / Creator

Stapleton, J. L. (James Lawrence), collector
Stapleton, Euthene Lebreton, 1909-1983, collector

Publisher

[between 1850 and 1988?].

Abstract

This collection contains material about the personal and professional lives of librarian James Stapleton, his wife Euthene Lebreton Stapleton (nee Grosser) and and other associated material.

Scope and content

The collection contains: personal papers associated with James Stapleton and his wife Euthene Stapleton (nee Grosser): a small number of professional papers and publications associated with James Stapleton; a photograph album mainly of holiday photos taken during a visit to Brisbane by Doris Grosser, Euthene Stapleton's sister; a photograph album documenting activities of James Stapleton and the Public Library of Queensland in the 1950s; loose photographs relating to the personal life of Euthene Stapleton and the professional and personal lives of James Stapleton; a photograph album mainly about James Lorenzo Stapleton, grandfather of James Stapleton and stationmaster of Barrow Creek Telegraph Station; a scrapbook of newspaper clippings about libraries in South Australia and Queensland during James Stapleton’s career; and personal diaries belonging to Euthene Stapleton.

Description

3 envelopes of papers, 3 photograph albums and 1 envelope of loose photographs, 1 scrapbook and 3 diaries.

Administrative / Biographical history

James Lawrence Stapleton (1904-1979) was born at Mount Gambier, South Australia, elder son of Percival de Soligny Stapleton, telegraph-operator, and his wife Louisa, née Lyford. Following school, James joined the Public Library of South Australia where he worked as a cadet until 1927 and then as a junior library assistant. In 1935, James married stenographer Euthene Lebreton Grosser (1909-1983) and from 1938 managed the Public Library of South Australia country lending service. In 1947, James was appointed State librarian of the Public Library of Queensland. James travelled Queensland to promote libraries. During his tenure, he established the structure for the State Library and oversaw considerable expansion of services with a country Lending Service approved by the Library Board in 1947, followed by the establishment of the archives section in 1959. Librarianship training classes were introduced during this period as well. By his retirement in 1970, the library had a staff of 120 and all but six of Queensland's 83 local authorities responsible for libraries had library services which offered free lending services. Following his retirement Stapleton served on the Oxley Memorial Library Advisory Committee 1970-1972.(Information taken from: Australian Dictionary of Biography, viewed 20 November, 2023).

Access restrictions

Unrestricted access.

Multiple copyright statuses.

Conditions of use

You are free to use for personal research and study. For other uses see https://www.slq.qld.gov.au/understanding-copyright Please refer to the Collection Guide for copyright status of individual items.

Notes

In 1902, the Public Library of Queensland was opened in the redeveloped Queensland Museum building at 159 William Street, Brisbane CBD (often referred to as the Old State Library building). In 1959, the William Street library building was extended with the addition of Centennial Hall. In 1966, the building was remodelled with an additional floor and extended mezzanine. Outstations were established in George Street, Ann Street, William Street and finally Costin Street. In 1971, Public Library of Queensland became State Library of Queensland. In 1988, the State Library of Queensland moved to the South Bank Cultural Centre. (Information provided by: Anna Raunik)

Preferred citation

33744, James Lawrence Stapleton papers, John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland

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