(This message has been crossposted to a number of discussion lists.  Please
excuse any duplication.)

RESEARCH CENTRE REFURBISHMENT:  Reading Room Closure  (Notice 3)

'we are out to make our war museum, our war gallery, and our war library,
if possible, not merely fine museums for Australia, but the finest that the
world contains...'
-C.E.W. Bean

The Australian War Memorial has embarked on a program of renewal of its
galleries and facilities over the next decade.  As part of this process,
the Memorial's Research Centre will undergo refurbishment.  The result will
be an improved, more readily accessible Research Centre offering a higher
standard of service.

In order to complete the necessary work, the current Research Centre
Reading Room will be closed from 25 March 1998 and will reopen by the end
of October 1998.

While the Reading Room is closed there will be no access to collections.
The Memorial's telephone, fax, letter and email reference services and the
commercial sound, film and photograph service will continue to operate. The
information supplied may be limited and response times longer than
identified in the current service standards.  Information available on the
AWM homepage (www.adfa.oz.au/~awm) will enable visitors to plan their visit
when the Research Centre reopens.

To comply with the building program it is necessary to begin moving
collections offsite during December 1997.  Some disruptions to client
services will continue until the closure of the Reading Room in March 1998.
During this period it is advisable to call the Research Centre before
visiting to determine whether the collections that you require are
available.  If you have any enquiries regarding the records available over
the coming months and during the refurbishment please contact:
Ms Elizabeth Dracoulis  Manager, Research Centre, phone (02) 6243 4250 or
e-mail [log in to unmask]

If you require further information on the Research Centre project please
contact:
Ms Margaret Thomson  Gallery Development Section,  phone (02) 6243 4556 or
e-mail  [log in to unmask]

Postal address for enquiries: Australian War Memorial, GPO Box 345,
Canberra, ACT 2601

You can also e-mail general comments and questions to the Memorial on:
[log in to unmask]