State Library 175th: Keith tours the library in the Adelaide City region of South Australia
The 21st century makeover of North Terrace in the city is all but complete. It showcases Adelaide's Cultural Boulevard as the University, Art Gallery, Museum and State Library all share the spotlight. But it's inside the Institute Building on the corner of Kintore Avenue that our story begins. In 1861 it was our State Library which this year is celebrating its 175th anniversary.
We all know South Australia was proclaimed in 1836 - that's 173 years ago. So how can the library claim 175 years? For that we need to go back to London where, in 1834, in an office off Adelphi Terrace the South Australia Literary Association was formed. Fast-forward to present day Adelaide and tucked away in a corner of the Mortlock Wing of the State Library on North Terrace and a precious link with that important meeting. Volunteer guide, Leonie Challens shows visitors some of the very first books to arrive.
Leonie Challens, Volunteer guide: "We go back to 1834 in London when the South Australian Literary Association was formed. It was clear they wanted us to be a very well educated and provided for colony. Robert Gouger, of Gouger Street fame, and others donated books and so they brought out a very large trunk of books to South Australia."
The beginnings of our state library came out with the first colonists - literally. A trunk of books - including the ones on display arrived at Port Misery, or Port Adelaide on board the Tam O'Shanter. They reckon the trunk might have even been accidentally dropped overboard at one stage. The books formed the nucleus of this now great institution. It shows how forward thinking those founders were. The South Australian Company, set up to develop the Colony, didn't come until two years later - as a priceless ledger shows.
Valerie Sitters, Historian: "We're looking at a parchment document Keith that sets out the conditions of the company. So when we look at the names of the proprietors and shareholders it reads almost like a street directory. George Fyfe Angus who not only has a street but a town a town named after him - Angaston. We have John Pirie - another town and a street.'
In keeping with the grand plans for the new Colony, we needed somewhere to house our so-called 'cultural collection' so in 1860 work began on the SA Institute building. It cut a lonely figure when it was the first part of the cultural precinct on North terrace. It housed the library, museum and art gallery and the Chief Justice of the day called it a 'temple of knowledge'. And it was.
Leonie Challens, Volunteer guide: "The Circulating Library was different from the library of today. It was where you could borrow books. In those days you paid to borrow your book and there were quite a few rules associated with using the Circulating Library. Only the librarian could take the book off the shelf and if you took the book off the shelf there was a shilling fine. Which was quite a substantial amount.
"Other rules included no sticks and definitely no whips on the tables. Men had to remove their hats before they came in and children were banned from the library but dogs were still allowed."
The room is a quaint and priceless piece of our history - so well preserved, Harry Potter would be happy in here! Eventually, the colony outgrew the Institute building so these days we head across the modern glass corridor to the Jervois Wing, now the Mortlock. The walls of books, richly coloured carved timber, iron lacework - you can see why it is considered one of the finest late Victorian public libraries in Australia.
Leonie Challens, Volunteer guide: "This was the home of the library and it was built over a period of nine years and opened in the late 1800s. It gave the library its first real home rather than having to chare with the Museum and the Art Gallery."
Pop into the modern Spence Wing and you see how far things have progressed. Lots of computer screens and laptops but don't worry, the books are still there… and you can catch up on the news in the old fashioned way.
Saturday August 22 marks exactly 175 years since that first farsighted meeting in London of the South Australian Literary Association. Now the State Library houses more than three-quarters of a million titles, much more than books. So if you haven't been in for a while you're most welcome - it is after all our 'Temple of Knowledge'. The State Library is on North Terrace. It's open daily from 10am. If you have any further questions please email info@postcards-sa.com.au
State Library of South Australia
North Terrace
Adelaide
Open daily from 10amPublished 16th August 2009
