Queensland public library buildings
To celebrate the Year of the Built Environment in 2004, Picture Queensland digitised a small collection of images of Queensland public library buildings.
Libraries are an important part of the fabric of local communities. Towns from all over Queensland are represented in these images – from Alpha to Yungaburra.
Although this collection depicts the buildings that house Queensland's public libraries, we also recognise the library staff, their collections, services, innovations and technologies that make a difference to the ways in which we live, work and play within the built environment.
These images represent libraries at a particular period in time. Many library services have moved into new premises or been extended since these photographs were taken. Some local governments have changed due to amalgamations.
Libraries started in Queensland in 1849 when the North Brisbane School of Arts Library was established. This was followed, in rapid succession, by the development of similar, subscription-based libraries throughout the state.
The spread of public libraries was slow in the early years of the 20th century. It wasn’t until the 1940s, aided by the State Library of Queensland’s Country Extension Service, that many small, rural communities could house and operate a library service.
Today 125 local governments in Queensland support over 330 library sites. This includes Indigenous Councils with library services and Indigenous Knowledge Centres.
Almost every type of building construction is represented in these Queensland library buildings, from small demountable buildings to major purpose built landmarks.
The advent of computers and other information technologies has had an impact on Queensland library buildings. If the exterior remained unchanged, few library interiors will have escaped changes from rewiring, redesign, or renovation to accommodate technological developments.
Additional resources
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Directory of Public Libraries - list of Queensland public libraries, their councils and the services they offer.
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Resources on planning and building libraries in Australia. Included are links to photographs of service areas such as OPACs, circulation desks and youth spaces.
More information
If you have an enquiry, you can contact us in any of the following ways:
For general enquiries:
- Ask at your local Queensland public library
- Other libraries [new window]
Last updated: 16th November 2009
Creatively linking Queenslanders to information, knowledge and each other
