Library legend books himself an award

WHEN Peter Mansfield (pictured) started his literary-focused career back in the 1970s, many thought libraries had a limited future.

It was an era of prohibitive pricing of foreign books and the peak of television’s power but computer technology was still in its infancy.

“Library usage was withering on the vine (in the late ’70s), people didn’t use libraries in the way they use them today,” Dr Mansfield said.

“Technology was seen as a threat. However, every piece of technology has adapted and been integrated into libraries since then and we have some fantastic libraries here in Geelong.”

Dr Mansfield should know. He served as chief executive of the Central Highlands Library Corporation in the 1980s and ’90s as well as the lead role at the Geelong Regional Library Corporation in the 2000s.

Away from the bookshelves, the Highton resident has extensively researched the region’s cemetary network.

He was appointed a trustee of the Geelong Cemeteries Trust in 2012 and researched the history of 19 graveyards across the Barwon area.

Dr Mansfield has a particular interest in Victoria’s colonial history and wrote a biography of Graham Berry, a Geelong MP and premier who pushed for democratic reform of Spring Street at a time when landholders had control of the upper house.

“It may seem like the 1880s and 1890s were 500 years ago and other world but there are many themes from that time — such as what is considered appropriate behaviour, symbolism and what days we should celebrate — that resonate today,” he said.