The H.L. White Library, situated at Birds Australia's National Office, is probably the most comprehensive ornithological library in Australia. It contains thousands of books, old and new, about birds and related aspects of ecology, which can be borrowed by members of Birds Australia. It also houses many bird journals, ranging from scientific journals from around the world to newsletters from local birdwatching clubs. Unfortunately, journals may not be borrowed, but they can be photocopied for a nominal fee. Members who are unable to visit the H.L. White library may still borrow books and arrange photocopying; just contact our volunteer This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Birds Australia is justifiably proud of its comprehensive library and the services that it provides to its members as an invaluable resource to researchers and birdwatchers alike. It was named in honour of H.L. White, but who was he?

Henry Luke White (1860-1927) was one of the most influential people in the world of Australian ornithology in the early 20th century. He was a founding member of Birds Australia, and published over 90 scientific papers about Australian birds. His greatest ornithological achievement, though, was amassing a huge collection of thousands of bird skins and eggs that was unrivalled in Australia. The collection was begun when he was a schoolboy, which was then augmented by purchasing the collections assembled by other collectors. Importantly, he later employed some of the most skilled field ornithologists of the day to collect rare birds and eggs for him, mounting expeditions to all corners of the country. These amazing collections were housed and curated in special cabinets at his family estate, 'Belltrees', near Scone in New South Wales, and were eventually donated to the National Museum of Victoria, where they are still used by researchers today--A truly great legacy. In addition, H.L. White also collected Australian books, and his library included more than 2000 rare publications, many of them relating to ornithology. His specially-designed book-plate even featured a lyrebird reading a book. He was a generous philanthropist, and donated valuable copies of Gould's Birds of Australia and Mathews' Birds of Australia to the library at Birds Australia which would later bear his name.

It is fitting then, with this synergy of birds and books, that Birds Australia has dedicated its library to the memory of H.L. White.