The Commons Galleries – featuring Brenda Anderson’s curation

I like the scale of these shots…

Bibliothèque de Toulouse

big rivers of ice, with little people.

Library of Congress

I also love the fact that most of the people seem to be dressed in their “Sunday best”,

Powerhouse Museum

almost like a stroll on a glacier is just like a stroll downtown…

National Library of New Zealand

only it’s colder and one must carry a stick.

Oregon State University Archives

View the full gallery here to leave your comments!

One year ago, on 29 September 2008, the State Library of New South Wales entered The Commons on Flickr!

The State Library of New South Wales’ major subject strengths are Australian history, culture and literature, including Aboriginal studies, Antarctic exploration, family history and genealogy, business and management, social sciences, applied science, biography, health and law.

It’s more than fitting to start the celebration with the Library’s very own Happy Birthday set, featuring the amazing photography of Sam Hood.

Happy Birthday

They opened their collection with a series of images of libraries of yore in NSW, to provide ideas and inspiration for New South Wales public library staff who are planning changes to their libraries. These images will help with plans for renovations and rebuilding.

Libraries, galleries and museums

Possibly one of their most recognized Commons images are from the set Bondi Jitterbug: George Caddy and his Camera. This photo was taken by Ted Hood, Sam’s son.

Bondi Jitterbug

These iconic Sam Hood images are of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the world’s largest steel arch bridge.

Sydney Harbour Bridge

The Library also has an extensive collection of children in their catalog – especially this heartbreaker from the Depression.

Australian children

An absolute must is their historic Antarctic exploration series of images.

First Australasian Antarctic Expedition (1911-1914)

And you know, they also have some of the cutest animal photos to be found in the Commons. Got milk?

Pets and other animals

We’ve barely touched the surface of their impressive collection, so hop over and join in the fun by tagging, commenting, and researching their collection! They’ve over 1,000,000 views on their ~500 photos, which is pretty darned impressive, and we look forward to seeing what their second year in the Commons brings them.

Hip Hip Hoorah and Happy Commonsversary to the State Library of New South Wales!

Ch. Chusseau-Flaviens
Portugal Corrida, ca. 1900-1919
George Eastman House: [ID number]

Are you a Commons fan living in upstate New York? Join George Eastman House to celebrate The Commons at their Common Ground event in Rochester this Friday!

in Rochester, NY:

John Fletcher Ford
Group with R. C. Lieu, 1901
Oregon State University Archives: WilliamsG_Ford34

Are you a Commons fan living in Oregon? Join the Oregon State University Archives to celebrate The Commons at their Common Ground event in Corvalis, Oregon this Friday!

in Corvallis, Oregon:

Brooklyn Museum

New York Public Library

Are you a Commons fan living in New York? Join the Brooklyn Museum and the New York Public Library to celebrate The Commons at their Common Ground event in Brooklyn this weekend, part of the Target First Saturdays series.

in Brooklyn, NY:

creator: unknown
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, c. 1910
Smithsonian Institution: aaa_watsforb_8917

view + comment on Flickr

New York Tribune, Nov. 24, 1907, from the Illustrated Newspaper Supplements collection

The Library of Commons’s Michelle tells us that the LOC will be featuring the Commons at BookFest on Saturday, September 26 in Washington DC on the National Mall:

At our Library of Congress Pavilion (one of several festival pavilions), members of the Flickr team from Prints and Photographs Division and Serials Divisions (the folks behind the Chronicling America newspaper images) will be there to show and talk about the photos and historic newpapers in our Flickr account/Commons.

You can get more info in Michelle’s group announcement, and check the BookFest webpage as well!

unknown
Asking for Gary Cooper’s autograph, 16 November 1943
State Library of Queensland, Australia: picqld-citrix10–2005-02-01-13-28

The State Library of Queensland, Australia invites you to be a special guest for their screening of Common Ground in Brisbane, Australia. The event in Brisbane will consist of a large projection onto the screen in the State Library’s stunning Queensland Terrace using a slideshow of content from the Commons on Flickr accounts that is curated by its community of users – making the Flickr Commons go ‘live’ through a connected slideshow. This special event will include images from Picture Queensland – the State Library of Queensland’s image library.

Light refreshments will be served.

When 6pm, Fri 2 Oct
Where Queensland Terrace, level 2
RSVP to heritage [at] slq.qld.edu.au (acceptances only by Mon 28 Sep)

Are you a Commons fan living in Australia? You’ll have to pick which Commons celebration you want to attend – or travel to go to more!

in Sydney:

in Brisbane:

.
Don’t forget your camera!

[updated to reflect new information]