La Trobe Library, 179 La Trobe Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
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Title:
La Trobe Library, 179 La Trobe Street, Melbourne
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Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 109388 1
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Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)
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Graphic materialsTextual material
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Series: Central City (BIF-CITY)
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UnrestrictedOpen access.
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UnrestrictedPlease contact City of Melbourne Libraries about obtaining permission to reproduce images.
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RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER 2023:__________________________________________________DATE: 1951-1965;ASSOCIATIONS: Victorian Government;DESIGNER: Everett, Percy E, PWD Chief ArchitectStyle: Neo-Classic ModernPeriod: Post Second-War_____________________________GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM Monumental appearance suited public purpose.2 storey entry and reading room___________________________F.ST 2 July 1951...as a major part of Victoria's centenary celebrations.___________________________State Library of Victoria web site 2023https://guides.slv.vic.gov.au/slvhistory/ltlibrary#:~:text=The%20La%20Trobe%20Library%20was,of%20the%20Domed%20Reading%20Room.,,,Originally named after Charles Joseph La Trobe, first lieutenant-governor of Victoria, it is now known as the Armstrong building, and is the entry to the Village Roadshow Theatrette (Entry 3).The foundation stone was laid on 2 July 1951. It was 14 years later, in April 1965, that the building opened for business. The La Trobe Library was officially opened by the Premier, Sir Henry Bolte, on 6 September 1965. The aim was to bring together in the one building, many of the wide range of Australiana collections of the State Library, including those housed in the old 'Australian Room' in the annulus area of the Domed Reading Room. See Perspective view `preliminary Sketch for the Latrobe Library and completion of the National Gallery group, signed by PE Everett PWD chief Architect 3 May 1950 initialled SGL May 1950. One of a small collection of sketch designs for the building. H28187 http://search.slv.vic.gov.au/permalink/f/1cl35st/SLV_VOYAGER1787332 .see alsoPerspective view 1950, H28187; 1 dyeline print with crayon, 1950 and 5 photographic copies of architectural drawings 1959, H82.251/1-6; Longitudinal section of La Trobe Library 1951, H28186; Design for Check Point H42397; Design for plaque H42398; Proposed LaTrobe [sic] Library Melbourne, in album 1950, H42399; Installation of air conditioning etc. 1985, H92.97/1-6.Glover, Anne. Victorian treasures from the La Trobe Collection. South Melbourne, Macmillan, 1980. LTF and LTR 708.99451 G51VIncludes a history of the establishment of the La Trobe Library and treasures of the collection.The Guardian, 7 July 1955, p 7, [microfilm]The foundation stone of the La Trobe Library was laid by the Victorian Premier the Hon J. G. B. McDonald on 2 July 1951, however by 1955 plans for the new building were still vague and no money allocated.Reilly, Dianne, September 1992, ‘The La Trobe Library', La Trobe Library Journal, vol 12, nos 47-48, pp 73-76.Discusses establishment of the La Trobe Library in 1965, and its holdings. Other articles in this issue discuss various collections within the La Trobe Library.CONTEXT, 2020HODDLE GRID HERITAGE REVIEWPOSTWAR THEMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORY AND POSTWAR PLACES...Another major Melbourne institution, the State Library of Victoria, was extended in 1961 with the construction ofthe La Trobe Library (Figure 9 and 10). The aim was to resolve the issue of disunity and gain some coherence anddistinction along the north boundary of the city block. The works were completed in 1965 (Lovell Chen 2011:100).Figure 9 and 10. Preliminary sketch of the proposed La Trobe Library, 1950 and the completed design, 1964 (State Library ofVictoria H28187 and H30064)___________________________NEWSPAPERS:1950The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954)Friday 1 December 1950 - Page 2https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/206412051Latrobe Library Decision WelcomedCreation of the Latrobe Library to celebrate the centenary of self-government in Victoria is welcomed by the Public Library Trustees in their report presented to State Parliament yesterday. Tentative sketch plans for the library, which will house Australiana,- have been drawn by the- chief Government architect The trustees said the library would, make , possible the gathering together Into one collection of the library's extensive historical; literary- and political material. In archival custody already were 4,000,000 documents. Long-term plans had been drawn up for the necessary labor,', accommodation, shelving and light' to deal : with them.More ReadersThe Public Library, at June 30, contained 741,095 volumes. 'Metropolitan borrowers registered ' for- 1949-50 numbered 12,549, who borrowed 172,151 books— an increase of nearly 9 per cent, on the previous year. “New Australians” had freely used the "deposit" system of borrowing by lodging a suitable deposit where they were un able to give the -names of guarantors. National Museum trustees reported that attendances in 1949-50 were 490.521. . More.staff was vitally necessary if the museum was to increase its usefulness. A new Museum of Natural History and additional storage space for the present Museum were urgently needed.see also https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/187650119 ...The' trustees (hoped! That the new library, which would face Bowen-street, would become one of the leading research centres on the early history of Victoria and Bass Strait.https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/206418966 ....The Premier said Cabinet'sdecision followed a deputation last week from- the centenary oommittee, which urged the Latrobe Library be established on the same lines as the famous Mitohell Library of Australian history and documents in Sydney,1951,The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954)Tuesday 3 July 1951 - Page 7https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/205337836LA TROBE LIBRARY FOUNDATIONPublic Buildings Need in MelbourneThe Chief Justice (Sir John Latham) yesterday criticised those who denounced the erection of "noble public buildings," such as the Shrine of Remembrance or the proposed La Trobe Library. Sir John Latham was speaking as chairman of the Library Association of Australia at the setting of the foundation stone of the La Trobe Library. He said that every time such a building was proposed there was heavy criticism from those who sought "to build a hen house or somewhere better to live." - Homes were essential, but Melbourne could not become a city of five-roomed houses. The Shrine and Royal Melbourne Hospital were public buildings and would exist for many years. ' Such fine buildings did much to stimulate national pride. Without this a country had no "soul. The Premier (Mr. McDonald) performed the ceremony. Library Plans The La Trobe Library will have three floors and a basement on a 180 feet frontage to Latrobe-street; It will be part of the Public Library and will house the Australiana section. This will include 30,000 books, 4,000,000 official Government documents, diaries and collections of private papers. . These will be available to students and research workers. Behind the foundation stone was sealed a flask containing photographs of Latrobe-street as it is today and of 'yesterday's ceremony, 1951 coins, and a tribute printed on imperishable parchment from the trustees to the pioneers of the State. The chairman of the library trustees (Rev. Dr. Irving Ben son) said the library would' be an enduring memorial . to the pioneers. It also would be a delightful asset to the architectural beauty of Melbourne. The ceremony was attended by many State Ministers and prominent Victorian citizens, as well as inter-State representatives of library authorities who are here for the Library Association conference..
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1264445
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 109388 1 | 1 JPEG : 681 KB ; A4 | Single Item (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |