Series 114 - ANU Press minutes, subject files and author files

The ANU Press evolved from a publications unit within the university and was formally established by Council in 1966. The Publications Committee (later the Editorial Committee) was responsible for publishing scholarly works originating or related to the work done at the University. William Arnold Wood was its first Director from 20 October 1967. Patricia Croft, the University’s Publications Officer since 1 March 1963, later Editor from 5 July 1968. Brian Clousten was appointed Director in 1977. By 1980 a financial crisis had reached the ANU Press due to the high costs of printing and publishing. In June 1984 a decision was made by Council to close ANU Press. Pergamon Press, an Oxford-based publishing house with a branch in Sydney, took over ANU Press from 1985 with the arrangement that some titles would be published under the ANU Press name.

The ANU Press Management Committee was formed in 1980 when the ANU press was experiencing a financial crisis. The ANU Press Management Committee was later replaced by the Division of Publishing and Printing Management Committee.

The ANU Press Editorial Board replaced the Editorial Committee in 1976 as the academic body responsible for editorial policy. In 1980 financial restraints affecting ANU Press led to the University’s printing and publishing activities managed under a new Management Committee.