After its most significant transformation in decades, the State Library of NSW’s popular Macquarie Street Building has reopened offering Sydneysiders and visitors even more places to study, gather and enjoy.
“The State Library is the well loved home of the state’s writers and readers. With a combination of government funding and generous private benefactors, we’re excited to open this major refurbishment that delivers a modern, world class library that will better serve our readers and writers for generations to come,” said Minister for the Arts John Graham.
“The State Library is deeply valued, and the Macquarie Street Building refurbishment builds on what we do best – offering an uplifting, welcoming and accessible space for everyone to use and enjoy,” said State Librarian Dr Caroline Butler-Bowdon.
“I can’t wait for our readers to experience the new-look reading room, and for every visitor to be wowed by the bold, contemporary design that truly transforms this incredible cultural institution.”
The Bashir Reading Room has been fully reimagined as a more accessible and beautiful space. Seating has increased by 37% – from 482 to 659 places – to better support the growing number of students, readers and researchers who rely on the Library’s free wi-fi, collections and expert staff every day. To meet demand, study rooms have expanded from six to 21, all with upgraded technology.
“Our reading rooms are the absolute core of this institution, and we’re proud to name a large study space in honour of Mr Neville Halse, whose extraordinary and unexpected bequest announced earlier this year will support readers for generations,” said Dr Butler-Bowdon.
The Library collaborated with award-winning architect Andrew Andersons AO – designer of the underground Library Auditorium and the original 1988 Macquarie Street Building – to redesign the Bashir Reading Room and ground floor, in association with Cullen Feng Architects.
The striking red and blue abstracted bookshelf feature walls – made from 21,700 timber slats – create a vivid backdrop to the Library’s contemporary entrance and reading room spaces.
The entrance’s feature wall frames Martin Sharp’s iconic Oz tapestry, commissioned for the 1988 building, and curves around the expanded bookshop – now three times its original size and offering a broader range of exceptional Australian books, exclusive Library merchandise and unique gifts.
A 12-metre opening glazed wall seamlessly connects the cafe’s expanded indoor and outdoor areas, with greater seating capacity to meet the needs of a growing number of visitors to the Library.
“We approached the design with a commitment to retain, salvage and reuse wherever possible; to prioritise renewable and recycled materials; to maximise energy efficiency; and to use natural materials – timber ceilings, timber study desks and tables, stone counters and terrazzo flooring – to create a timeless setting appropriate to a significant cultural institution,” said Mr Andersons, who felt gratified to be invited back to continue his 40-year history with the building.
Many of the reading room tables were refurbished, and some excess furniture is being reused by local public libraries and by the charity ReLove to furnish homes for people in need.
For more information about the State Library of NSW’s transformation, visit: www.sl.nsw.gov.au for details.
Image: Library Council President The Hon. Bob Debus AM, Minister for the Arts John Graham and State Librarian Dr Caroline Butler-Bowdon – courtesy of State Library of NSW