Category: Herbert Smith Freehills Library

Eric Lobbecke | Listening Devices exhibition

Posted on by Library Communications

Political cartoonist Eric Lobbecke’s latest exhibition will challenge your visual perception while forcing you to contemplate our current political climate. Listening devices was inspired by reactions to our last federal election. Look long enough and you may start to recognise political figures from today and the not-too-distant past. 

Can males hear an unfamiliar revolutionary female human rights language through Listening devices?

Eric Lobbecke

Confronting, distorted and visceral images reflect on a political sphere where female voices have not always been valued, let alone even heard. Utilising three different media — digital oil paintings, video and sculpture — the images will stay with you long after your initial visit. 

Eric is a renowned cartoonist and graphic designer, who has worked for The Australian and Crikey, amongst many other publications.

The exhibition is presented a collaboration with the School of Languages and Cultures and is supported by the Australasian Humour Studies Network (ASHN) as part of the Humour as a Human Right 2023 conference. 

Listening Devices is currently in display in the Herbert Smith Freehills Law Library until late September 2023. 

The Library recently hosted a panel discussion with Eric Lobbecke which can be viewed on our YouTube channel. 

Floating between Couches and Motels

Posted on by Library Communications

The Herbert Smith Freehills Law Library is currently showcasing an intriguing exhibition that would make any of us think again while checking in at the next hotel.  

Dr Carolyn McKay, Sydney Law School Criminologist and artist, has designed a unique installation that looks at transgressions that take place in hotel rooms. 

The idea came to Dr McKay while teaching criminal law at the Sydney law School.  

I have attempted to theorise the motel room as a site chosen for criminal transgression, asking: What is it about these private-but-shared spaces that enables, perhaps beckons, criminal behaviour? And what tangible and intangible traces remain?

Dr Carolyn McKay

Utilising neon light, the installation uses words and phrases that evoke a sense of invaded privacy and lost optimism of the motel spaces McKay visited during her research. Party lights suggesting good times juxtaposed with neon words hinting at the evil deeds that took place within the hotel walls. 

Dr McKay explains: “These selected phrases seemed to be particularly evocative and almost poetic; together they are suggestive of a unique crime scene. Motels are supposed to be places of restful stay or holiday, but these phrases subvert that concept.” 

More information on Dr McKay’s Crime Scene Motel Project 

Floating between Couches and Motels is currently on display at the Herbert Smith Freehills Law Library. 

Welcome to the new Law Library Learning Commons

Posted on by Library Communications
Law Library Lounge

Recent visitors to the Law Library might have noticed some construction taking place in the last couple of months. All of this was to create a new space just for you: the Herbert Smith Freehills Law Library Learning Commons. We are happy to announce that this area is opening on Tuesday 13 April!

This space is a great place to collaborate and relax. There are:

  • Three group meeting rooms
  • A range of comfortable seats – both modern and vintage-style
  • High tables with in-built power points and USB points to charge your laptop, tablet or phone
  • Wi-fi throughout the space
  • A water bottle refill station – so you can keep refreshed while you study
  • Hot and cold Zip taps
  • Four microwaves, so you can reheat your meals … once we are able to allow hot food in the library again (after COVID restrictions lift)
  • A new waste management system – including separate recycling, general waste and organics waste bins

Law Library Learning Commons – in pictures

Next time you’re on campus, come and check out the new Law Library Learning Commons in person. You’ll find it on the lowest level of the Herbert Smith Freehills Law Library, under the Law Building.

Need a desk? Book-a-Desk!

Posted on by Library Communications

Ever wander around the Library looking for a desk? Wander no more! We extended the trial of a desk booking system for Semester 1.

Students and staff may now book an individual desk at Fisher, Law, and SciTech libraries as well as in the Quarter . As part of an extended trial, approximately 115 desks will be bookable just like a meeting room.

To book a desk for up to 8 hours, go to http://sydney.edu.au/library/book-a-desk.

Fisher and Law Libraries go 24/7!

Posted on by Digital Services team

FB-banner-247v4Following the successful launch of The Quarter, Bosch and Camden Commons at the start of Semester 1, Fisher and Law libraries will be open 24/7 from the start of Semester 2. Great news for students with no hanging around at 10pm to get into the small level 3 space. Staff can also take advantage of this new service. Students and staff will have:

  • access to all collections including 2 hour loans and holds
  • 2713 study spaces
  • print/copy/scan facilities
  • bookable discussion rooms
  • kitchen facilities
  • self-issue machines to borrow books
  • self-service returns.

Both libraries are going to be staffed by security personnel only, which means that some of the library services are not available, including:

  • bonus and interlibrary loan pick-ups
  • help through staffed Information and ICT points
  • SYDPAY card encoding
  • paying fines in person.

Please remember to bring your student or staff card as you will need this to access the building. If you have any more questions, please ask a member of staff.