The Canterbury Society of Arts annual exhibition catalogue is now available from the very first in 1881, through to 1961, with the rest to follow very shortly. And a complete run of The Canterbury Society of Arts newsletter is also now in place - from 1961 to 1996.

It may seem odd to be digitizing another institution's material, but the history of the CSA is closely intertwined with the history of this Gallery. It was after all their collection that filled the Robert McDougall Gallery when it opened in 1932 and it still forms the heart of the historical collection - so in fact it makes good sense to make these items available. Along with the Group show catalogues - assembled and made available on Christchurch City Libraries site - they are amongst the most frequently consulted items in the Library.

Everything the old Robert McDougall Gallery produced is now available, as well as some Christchurch Art Gallery publications that are now out of print. Yes that's right: we only digitize when the Gallery Shop sells the last copy. Or rather the last copy but one, as the very last copy of all is chopped up and scanned. It dies in a particularly worthy cause, enjoying a digital resurrection where it can serve all readers for all time. Of course there are always actual copies in the library for those who prefer to handle the real thing.