State+Library+Architecture

=Architecture of the State Library =

Lieutenant-Governor Charles Joseph La Trobe initiated the establishment of the State Library. A trustee was appointed in July 1853. £10,000 was organised for the building the library, buying books and to buy two acres block of land. Governor Sir Charles Hotham laid the foundation stone of the library on the 3rd of July. Opened on the 11th of February 1856, the library held 3800 books (all specially chosen by Barry). The first librarian was appointed three months after the opening. As years passed the library expanded.

In 1866 buildings were build beside the library it was used by the Inter-colonial Exhibition. Soon the place was known as the Library, art and gallery, and industrial and technological Museum. The building was named McCoy Hall. In 1899 the collections from the National Museum was transferred to the Hall. The Hall remained in use until 1909, when another part of the library was being constructed.

Opening in 1913 the room was named after the Lieutenant-Governor Charles Joseph La Trobe, it is called the La Trobe, Dome Reading Room. It is called the Dome reading room as the roof is shaped as a dome, its octagonal shape is unique. This too was designed by Joseph Reed. In 1965, the La Trobe housed the library's Australiana collections.

In 1915 the Library, art and gallery, and industrial and technological Museum was reopened in the Queen’s hall 1968, the gallery was moved to St Kilda Road. About $190 million was spent on building the and renewing the library.

State Library plans Please excuse the fact that the plans are not clear.

By Sherin

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