Camden Commons

In 2020, located on the Camden Campus of the University of Sydney at 335 Werombi Road, Camden NSW 2570, Camden Commons (formerly Camden Library) supports research, teaching and study into the fields of Veterinary Science and Agriculture, Food and Natural resources. 

A library at Camden is first mentioned in the 1960 University Calendar. The library was part of the University Library which consisted of a central collection and some forty departmental libraries. Two units were at some distance from the University, one of these was an additional library which the Faculty of Veterinary Science had on its farm in Camden. [Calendar, 1960, p. 392]  

The Camden farms were acquired in 1955 through generous grants of 150, 000 from three Commonwealth Boards representing the Meat, Milk and Wool industries, supplemented by gifts from banks and industries sufficient to complete several facilities for teaching and research. [Australia’s First Volume 2, p.116]. In 1957 the architects were authorised to prepare plans and to call tenders for a laboratory and office building, a hospital and operating theatre, and for a residence for the officer in charge of the Veterinary Hospital and Clinic at Camden. [Senate report for 1957]

The library underwent a refurbishment in 2015 as part of its transition to a library commons, a student study and learning space. This renovation opened up the space and improved access for all visitors. As from Semester 1, 2016 the Camden Library became known as Camden Commons. [http://news.library.usyd.edu.au/ New spaces New names viewed 11/2/2016]  The term “Commons” was chosen to reflect what the Library tried to achieve in space and service delivery: The word “commons” embodies the principle of open access which the Library strives to promote, both in terms of information and education, but also as a physical space open to all staff and students. “Commons” also reflects the peer to peer learning and support model the Library is growing within these spaces with the intention to make them places where its clients can collaborate and create their own workshops and events. [from https://usyd.libanswers.com/faq/142391 accessed 14/04/2020]