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Home Arts View |
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Light
shed on State Library's Domed Reading Room |
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November 2002
Volume 3, Issue 2
The State Library of Victoria is restoring the Domed Reading
Room to its original grandeur as part of a major building redevelopment
program, which aims to improve access to the Library's collections
and services.
The State Library's Domed Reading Room will re-open in 2003
as the La Trobe Reading Room for Australian published collections.
The recent installation of skylights in the Dome roof has marked
a metaphorical 'light at the end of the tunnel' in terms of
the building redevelopment.
"The reinstatement of skylights in the Dome has returned natural
light to an icon of Melbourne's classical architectural past,"
said State Library of Victoria Chief Executive Officer and State
Librarian, Frances Awcock.
"Many Victorians will remember the Domed Reading Room as being
a rather dark and sombre place, which was a result of the original
skylights being covered over with copper sheeting in 1959 to
prevent water leakage. Visitors who previewed the restoration
works on our Dome Open Day in June this year marvelled at how
the skylights have brought new life to this grand and inspirational
place."
The newly restored Dome will also now house two galleries showcasing
some of the Library's treasures and depicting the two cultures
on which the State Library is based - a history of print and
the book, and the history of Victoria from pre-colonisation
until today.
Surrounding the interior of the refurbished Reading Room will
be a 'ribbon of words' using quotations that celebrate books,
reading, libraries and learning.
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