Jean Whyte Bequest

Jean Whyte Bequest

For Research into Librarianship, Archives and Records at Monash University

Research and teaching in librarianship, archives and records has long been a vital part of Monash University. Professor Jean Whyte was the foundation Professor of Librarianship in the Graduate School of Librarianship established at Monash in 1975, a position from which she retired in 1988. She was instrumental in establishing masters courses in librarianship, archives and records, building a strong PhD and masters by research program, and developing Monash’s research profile in these fields.

Jean Whyte’s death in 2003 saw Monash University receive a sizeable bequest from her estate to support research in librarianship, records and archives, and to support the library's research collections in English literature, librarianship and philosophy, reflecting Professor Whyte's professional and personal interests.

Jean Whyte's sister, Phyllis Whyte, also bequeathed a substantial part of her estate to Monash University in honour of her sister.

To honour the role of the late Jean Whyte in the development of Monash University as a major centre for research and teaching in librarianship, archives and records, and to administer her Bequest, the University has established the Jean Whyte Fund to promote a range of research activities in librarianship, archives and records, including:

  • grants and seeding funds
  • the work of higher degree research students
  • writing and publication.

The Jean and Phyllis Whyte Bequests will make a significant contribution to supporting these activities, but additional donations will be sought to fully realise the vision of the Fund.

Jean Whyte Biography

Professor Whyte had a distinguished career in librarianship. She was the foundation professor in the Graduate School of Librarianship (now part of the Caulfield School of Information Technology) established at Monash in 1975, a position from which she retired in 1988.

She was instrumental in establishing the Master of Librarianship course and in 1976 founded Ancora Press - taken from the university motto Ancora imparo ('I am still learning'). The hand printing press, now housed within the Centre for the Book on the university's Caulfield campus, was set up to support the teaching of bibliography and textual studies, specifically in librarianship and English.

A keen book collector, she also left a large part of her personal collection of rare books to the Monash University Library, including a substantial collection of Australian poetry and private press books.