"Is the library’s future even assured?" I would bloody well hope so. On match days I was often fascinated by the array of people in the library. Young, old, some with ties on, some with shorts on, male, female and for some like me, it was probably their only visit to a library in who knows when. Though it was the MCC's library, and thus may have come with with a high degree of stuffiness, instead it always had that welcoming feel, which I expect was down to David and the rest of the library staff. Whatever you're up to David in the future, good luck and thanks.
This is seriously disturbing, Gideon. I have been using the MCC Library since Rex Harcourt and Ross Peacock convened the ASSH conference in 1983 and make it a point of call every time I’m in Melbourne and each day of the Boxing Day Tests which I’ve been attending since 1997. David and the library have been a beacon of world sports history for the last 30 years. I’m giving a talk on Cricket and War for the Alexandra Club on 26 March and about three weeks ago contacted David to see if he could assist with images of military uses of the MCG during WW2. A few hours later he sent me half a dozen shots of the American Army Air Force and the RAAF which will greatly assist my presentation, just a recent example of the importance of the library’s resources and the first-class device it provides.
For comparative purposes, I recently contacted the club's museum seeking access to a 1907 letter that I know to be in the books of the MCC Secretary. I had to fill out a form whose receipt was unacknowledged; when I rang to follow up, my messages weren't returned; at last, well after the deadline I had specified, I was told that the request would take five weeks to process. In contrast to the library, the museum is a busted arse.
Thank you for your thoughts about David. I am one of the MCC Library Volunteers. We are shattered. David is the Library. He has made it what it is today. His willingness to support us, share his knowledge, his generosity, his loyalty, all gone from us. I cannot imagine anyone able to replace him. He is very much the old worldly gentleman, kind and thoughtful. What the people who are constantly visiting will think is evident from the comments your piece has generated.
Great article Gideon. As a member, I feel more like the victim of a protection racket run by a mafia of the rich. Toe the line or out you go. The recent needless sweeping away of special arrangements for 50 year members was another expression of this totalitarianism. Dissent is throttled. There is no avenue for members to seek an explanation. Try writing to the President. You get a form letter back from a clerk in Member Services. Very dispiriting.
Thanks for this Gideon. The library has always felt like a little oasis from the rest of the MCG - I've only really been a visitor during lunch and rain breaks, but enjoyed the opportunity to pick up a book I hadn't seen before, settle into one of the chairs looking back to the city and have a quiet read (and then sometimes, go on to buy the book...). Must make more of an effort to see what it has to offer.
And thanks to David for making the place what it's been - I hope it is able to maintain its distinct place in the sportocracy...
Thank you GH for a very forthright appreciation of "The Great Studham". Like you I have been the recipient of TGS's amazing knowledge and assistance over the years which has made my humble excursion in sports history writing so much easier. TGS and his staff and extraordinary volunteers have been yes, extraordinary, to me on my many ridiculous questions along with the more serious ones! We will watch the future of the Library with great interest and the history it contains. THE CORPORATE WORLD HAS GONE CRAZY in recent times and let us hope that THE club can remain the people's club and ground although like you one cannot hope for much nowadays. Congratulations to The Great Studham and best wishes from a delighted consumer of your wisdom. GO WELL MY FRIEND, GO WELL
This is a very sad loss to the MCC Library! David and all the library staff were very supportive when I undertook my work experience to complete my MEd and I know he will be greatly missed. We will miss seeing him whenever we are at the MCG.
I have often reached out to David for help and always found him helpful, knowledgeable, responsive and unnecessarily generous with his time. I have no idea what has happened here, but it's incredibly depressing to think that MCC doesn't appreciate what an asset he has been.
I suspect for many people in this world books are anomalous objects & therefoe libraries weird old-fashioned places - perhaps someone needs to write a biography of the MCC library before it’s too late
Share your sentiments Gideon. David was always so helpful. You are very fortunate in Melbourne to have such a wonderful library – a credit to David and his team of volunteers. Compare that to the SCG where there is no such library. We do have the NSWCA Library - another wonderfully run cricket library thanks to Colin Clowes and his team of volunteers, but it's out of the city near Silverwater at the inaccessible (oddly named) Cricket Central.
The first time, on a whim during a trip to Melbourne, I naively gave him about half an hour notice of my plan to visit to do some research (I actually had no idea the library existed until a mate told me that morning). David found the time to go to the archives and dig up resources I needed. These were old, unique and meticulously cared for things. He apologised he didn’t have time to get more. Like it was his fault!
I wasn’t a member. I was just a regular fella off the street with a plausible story of why I wanted access to special information.
On my second visit I was much more prepared and gave him plenty of notice. He found the time to sit with me (and a documentary maker friend) and help us out as best he could.
Sitting at the table, Melbourne city in front of me, the MCG behind, the library is a lovely space. I have no doubt David was the best custodian.
I appreciate it's mentioned on their website, but sadly I see no mention of David's departure in yesterday's MCC President's emailed newsletter. 30 years and not even a Footnote. Next month? Thankfully though, details on the inaugural Easter Egg Stravaganza are included. Phew.
David was very helpful in helping me conduct my own research. Several documents that many senior historical figures had all but condemned as lost to history, and David found them for me in about 5 minutes buried deep in the library. Whatever the circumstances of his departure I will always appreciate his knowledge and eagerness to help.
"Is the library’s future even assured?" I would bloody well hope so. On match days I was often fascinated by the array of people in the library. Young, old, some with ties on, some with shorts on, male, female and for some like me, it was probably their only visit to a library in who knows when. Though it was the MCC's library, and thus may have come with with a high degree of stuffiness, instead it always had that welcoming feel, which I expect was down to David and the rest of the library staff. Whatever you're up to David in the future, good luck and thanks.
Great reply, Jim. You've captured the ethos of the library perfectly.
This is seriously disturbing, Gideon. I have been using the MCC Library since Rex Harcourt and Ross Peacock convened the ASSH conference in 1983 and make it a point of call every time I’m in Melbourne and each day of the Boxing Day Tests which I’ve been attending since 1997. David and the library have been a beacon of world sports history for the last 30 years. I’m giving a talk on Cricket and War for the Alexandra Club on 26 March and about three weeks ago contacted David to see if he could assist with images of military uses of the MCG during WW2. A few hours later he sent me half a dozen shots of the American Army Air Force and the RAAF which will greatly assist my presentation, just a recent example of the importance of the library’s resources and the first-class device it provides.
For comparative purposes, I recently contacted the club's museum seeking access to a 1907 letter that I know to be in the books of the MCC Secretary. I had to fill out a form whose receipt was unacknowledged; when I rang to follow up, my messages weren't returned; at last, well after the deadline I had specified, I was told that the request would take five weeks to process. In contrast to the library, the museum is a busted arse.
Hi Gideon
Thank you for your thoughts about David. I am one of the MCC Library Volunteers. We are shattered. David is the Library. He has made it what it is today. His willingness to support us, share his knowledge, his generosity, his loyalty, all gone from us. I cannot imagine anyone able to replace him. He is very much the old worldly gentleman, kind and thoughtful. What the people who are constantly visiting will think is evident from the comments your piece has generated.
Great to hear from you, Lesley. It's utterly deplorable. The committee should be ashamed of themselves.
Great article Gideon. As a member, I feel more like the victim of a protection racket run by a mafia of the rich. Toe the line or out you go. The recent needless sweeping away of special arrangements for 50 year members was another expression of this totalitarianism. Dissent is throttled. There is no avenue for members to seek an explanation. Try writing to the President. You get a form letter back from a clerk in Member Services. Very dispiriting.
Not surprising, very disappointing.
Thanks for this Gideon. The library has always felt like a little oasis from the rest of the MCG - I've only really been a visitor during lunch and rain breaks, but enjoyed the opportunity to pick up a book I hadn't seen before, settle into one of the chairs looking back to the city and have a quiet read (and then sometimes, go on to buy the book...). Must make more of an effort to see what it has to offer.
And thanks to David for making the place what it's been - I hope it is able to maintain its distinct place in the sportocracy...
Thank you GH for a very forthright appreciation of "The Great Studham". Like you I have been the recipient of TGS's amazing knowledge and assistance over the years which has made my humble excursion in sports history writing so much easier. TGS and his staff and extraordinary volunteers have been yes, extraordinary, to me on my many ridiculous questions along with the more serious ones! We will watch the future of the Library with great interest and the history it contains. THE CORPORATE WORLD HAS GONE CRAZY in recent times and let us hope that THE club can remain the people's club and ground although like you one cannot hope for much nowadays. Congratulations to The Great Studham and best wishes from a delighted consumer of your wisdom. GO WELL MY FRIEND, GO WELL
This is a very sad loss to the MCC Library! David and all the library staff were very supportive when I undertook my work experience to complete my MEd and I know he will be greatly missed. We will miss seeing him whenever we are at the MCG.
Wishing you all the best for the future David!
I have often reached out to David for help and always found him helpful, knowledgeable, responsive and unnecessarily generous with his time. I have no idea what has happened here, but it's incredibly depressing to think that MCC doesn't appreciate what an asset he has been.
The MCC doesn't know shit from clay if this is their idea of management.
The website says he retired. Who signs an NDA when they retire? Sounds like there is “fookery afoot”.
He resigned rather than retired. A revealing obfuscation, to coin a paradox.
I suspect for many people in this world books are anomalous objects & therefoe libraries weird old-fashioned places - perhaps someone needs to write a biography of the MCC library before it’s too late
Including a recipe for that date slice
It's outstanding.
The library or the date slice or both
As an MCC Library volunteer l can testify to both Jan.
Lesley thank you - who is the cook ?
David
Share your sentiments Gideon. David was always so helpful. You are very fortunate in Melbourne to have such a wonderful library – a credit to David and his team of volunteers. Compare that to the SCG where there is no such library. We do have the NSWCA Library - another wonderfully run cricket library thanks to Colin Clowes and his team of volunteers, but it's out of the city near Silverwater at the inaccessible (oddly named) Cricket Central.
I've been thinking of letting my MCC membership go. I'm thinking harder now.
Could it be they’d welcome that?
Well the mystery deepens... I know academic libraries are dying, but the MCC Library??? Dark times indeed...
David was very good to me on two occasions.
The first time, on a whim during a trip to Melbourne, I naively gave him about half an hour notice of my plan to visit to do some research (I actually had no idea the library existed until a mate told me that morning). David found the time to go to the archives and dig up resources I needed. These were old, unique and meticulously cared for things. He apologised he didn’t have time to get more. Like it was his fault!
I wasn’t a member. I was just a regular fella off the street with a plausible story of why I wanted access to special information.
On my second visit I was much more prepared and gave him plenty of notice. He found the time to sit with me (and a documentary maker friend) and help us out as best he could.
Sitting at the table, Melbourne city in front of me, the MCG behind, the library is a lovely space. I have no doubt David was the best custodian.
Thanks David.
That's a classic David experience. He had time for anyone and everyone.
I had no idea about any of this, but did think something was amiss when the library announced that their social media would be discontinued.
I am gutted. And as a member, I am appalled.
You should write, Smokie.
I appreciate it's mentioned on their website, but sadly I see no mention of David's departure in yesterday's MCC President's emailed newsletter. 30 years and not even a Footnote. Next month? Thankfully though, details on the inaugural Easter Egg Stravaganza are included. Phew.
David was very helpful in helping me conduct my own research. Several documents that many senior historical figures had all but condemned as lost to history, and David found them for me in about 5 minutes buried deep in the library. Whatever the circumstances of his departure I will always appreciate his knowledge and eagerness to help.