FEDERAL Attorney-General The Honourable Philip Ruddock MP officially opened the newly refurbished John and Alison Kearney Law Library at Bond University last Thursday, 24th March. Minister Ruddock, who was a practising solicitor before entering the world of politics, has been on the Gold Coast attending the Law Asia Conference.
Named after prominent Queens Council John Kearney AM and his wife Alison, the facility is one of the largest academic law libraries in Queensland. The modernisation includes the provision of wireless access for laptop computers, an increase in the number of purpose-built computer workstations and the inclusion of more areas for group study.
The upgrade also includes a new Law Postgraduate Research Centre, established for Bond’s research higher degree law students. This excellent facility provides Masters and PhD students with individual study places, as well as joint use computers all connected to the University’s network, and space for quiet discussion.
“These new library features will further support the teaching and research activities of staff and students at the University, and with seating for over 250 it also provides one of the best student/seating ratios for academic law libraries in the country,” said Law Faculty Dean, Professor Duncan Bentley.
The Library holds an extensive range of primary and secondary materials for Australia and many other countries, as well as over 75,000 legal volumes. Its facilities are available not only for students and alumni of Bond University, but also for local universities and community members, including the general public.
Gold Coast residents since 1967, John and Alison Kearney have made many generous contributions to Bond University since it began operation in May 1989. Dr Kearney was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University in 2002, and earlier this year, he received a Member of the Order of Australia award for his contribution to education, amongst other things. The Law Library has been named in their honour in recognition of their wonderful contributions.