Exploring a unique Trove Partner and their collection
Trove Partner collections represent the breadth of national heritage and provide valuable resources to the Australian community through Trove. These collections are vast and eclectic in scope as they form together to tell Australia’s story. Trove provides our community with the resources to undertake research, discover more about families and place, and access information for daily life. The collections of the Alcohol and Drug Foundation Library (ADF Library) form part of the rich tapestry of resources available through Trove. This unique library provides access to material and resources to support the suite of services and programs of the Alcohol and Drug Foundation.

For the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, being a Trove Partner extends the Library’s reach to the broader community. The collection is used by the research community, health professionals, teachers, students and the wider community to gain access to current information and research relating to alcohol and other drugs. The Foundation aims to increase knowledge about the associated harms of alcohol and other drugs and supports the adoption of evidence-based approaches and practices that prevent and reduce harm.
History of the Alcohol and Drug Foundation
The Alcohol and Drug Foundation was first established in 1959 to address post-war alcohol use. From the very beginning library materials was being collected, and the Arduous Endeavour: the first 50 years of the Australian Drug Foundation describes the establishment in 1964 and the years of growing the Foundation’s collections over time. Now in 2024 the library is celebrating a milestone 60 years in operation!

In the early years of the Foundation, funding was an ongoing challenge. Initial community engagement was via an information centre handing out tens-of-thousands of pamphlets to people seeking information. The ADF Library started out as a few books stored under the sink in the tearoom, but this would be the beginning of something much bigger.
The ADF Library’s collection has grown to be the largest alcohol and other drug specialised library in the southern hemisphere. The collection contains evidence-based alcohol and drug resources and is a leading example of a unique collection represented through a wide range of formats. Through the ADF Library’s collection, the Foundation aims to ensure there are relevant alcohol and other drug resources available to support current and future research requirements.
The Alcohol and Drug Foundation Library’s collection
Trove spoke with Linda Gay, the Librarian at the Alcohol and Drug Foundation Library about their collection and the library’s goals.
‘The ADF Library’s purpose and passion is to support the Foundation’s mission to inspire positive change and deliver evidence-based approaches to minimise alcohol and other drug harm,’ says Linda.
The ADF Library provides free membership for anyone to access a wide range of specialist print and online resources.
Some of those resources include:
- DrugInfo Clearinghouse prevention papers II: evaluation of drug prevention research 2003-2006 by Renee Otmar, DrugInfo Clearinghouse and Australian Drug Foundation.
- Alcohol: no ordinary commodity: research and public policy.
- The stigma of substance use disorders edited by Georg Schomerus and Patrick W Corrigan.
- Drugs, Identity and Stigma by Michelle Addison, William McGovern and Ruth McGovern.
- About inhalant abuse: community development by Victoria Department of Human Service, Drugs Policy and Services Branch.
- Floating away: a book to help children understand addiction by Andrew J Bauman and illustrated by Wahyu Nugroho.
Explore more resources with the Alcohol and Drug Foundation Library collection feature.
‘The ADF Library’s collection includes the most up-to-date books and eBooks in the subject area of alcohol and other drugs. It also includes a selection of resources which are only held here,’ Linda explains.

The ADF Library provides access to other people’s stories and journeys, which can help to support those who use drugs and their loved ones through their own journey. As Linda explains:
‘The ADF Library recognises the power of books and eBooks to support those who are unable, or not ready to ask for help by providing anonymous access to other people’s stories as well as the latest evidence. The ability to privately read these stories can be empowering and inspiring.’
'Members include anyone interested in AOD [alcohol and other drugs] issues. Everyone is eligible for library membership with full borrowing rights, a reference service, literature searches, training in how to use the Library and inter-library loans (ILL).’