Everyone who knows me knows that The State Library in Melbourne is my happy place. Where I went when I ditched school, and where I still love to go now to write. When an opportunity arose to have a free morning in Brisbane last week, checking out another State Library seemed an excellent idea.
Queensland State Library is situated in the Queensland Cultural Centre at South Bank. The original part of the building was opened during 1988, the same year World Expo was hosted by Brisbane. In 2004, the Millennium Library Project redevelopment began, and this completed in November 2006. The modern part of the building fitting together with the old building seamlessly.
Originally, the library opened as the Brisbane Public Library, in the old Museum Building in 1896. The name was changed to the Public Library of Queensland in 1898. Opening its doors to the public in 1902 and then a further name change in1971, to the State Library of Queensland.
The State Library houses many galleries, resources and some very lovely private study booths. These are all unique. Unfortunately, I didn’t get any photos, as all the rooms were occupied. The galleries contain ephemera from Expo, photos of Brisbane throughout the time from settlement, art works, and other interesting exhibitions. Some permanent and others changing.
The modern part of the building is green washed concrete, stark white, metal, wood, and glass. It has a fresh and relaxing atmosphere and there are many choices of where to sit and things to do.
In 2003 the State Library began Indigenous Knowledge Centres (IKCs) in the Cape York and Torres Strait areas. There are now a network of 22 IKCs in remote and regional communities throughout Queensland. One of the centres is housed on the ground floor of the State Library. It is home to changing exhibitions and has many available resources for research, including some indigenous language books and information.
I really enjoyed my morning at the library, but I must say, the grand old Dame in Melbourne, The Sate Library of Victoria, is unequalled in splendour, history and atmosphere.
You can read more about the State Library of Queensland here.
You can read more about the Victorian State Library here, and about my love of our State Library here.
Read more of Kylie’s work here.
