City of Perth Library

The City of Perth Library has, since its inception, been housed in a number of locations. The site is situated where the library had previously been housed in a now demolished building, in the basement.[https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20130207215000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/128690/20130208-0850/www.alia.org.au/groups/aliawest/biblia/2005.06/city.of.perth.html ] {{cbignore|bot=medic}}Alia notes from 2005

The earliest predecessor of the library was the Swan River Mechanics' Institute which was established in 1851.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article65739786 |title=Advertising |newspaper=Inquirer |issue=553 |location=Western Australia |date=5 February 1851 |accessdate=11 October 2016 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}} The name was changed in 1909 to Perth Literary Institute, and in 1957 the City of Perth renamed and took over the library as the City of Perth Library.Jo Darbyshire (2016) Peruse - A History of the City of Perth Library 1851-2016 Perth, City of Perth Library.

The subsequent buildings were Council House on St Georges Terrace (1963–1995), Law Chambers Building (1995–2012),Exact location of the new 2016 library and 140 William Street (2012–2015).

File:Delight and Hurt Not.jpg

Kerry Hill Architects were awarded the design tender for a new library in 2011.{{cite web|title=Kerry Hill designs Perth library: first civic building in 35 years|url=http://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/news/industry-news/kerry-hill-designs-perth-library-first-civic-build|website=Architecture & Design|publisher=Cirrus Media|accessdate=22 October 2014|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522120005/http://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/news/industry-news/kerry-hill-designs-perth-library-first-civic-build|archivedate=22 May 2013 |url-status=live|date=5 September 2011}} The City of Perth awarded the $33 million construction contract to Doric Contractors, which began building works in 2013.{{cite news|title=Doric wins city library build|url=http://www.oneperth.com.au/2013/04/19/new-perth-city-library/|accessdate=22 October 2014|work=One Perth|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310025418/http://www.oneperth.com.au/2013/04/19/new-perth-city-library/|archivedate=10 March 2014 |url-status=live}} The library is the first civic building to be built by the City of Perth since the Perth Concert Hall in 1972.{{cite news|last1=Emery|first1=Kate|title=Library creates new look for city|url=https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/25091930/library-creates-new-look-for-city/|accessdate=22 October 2014|work=The West Australian|date=24 September 2014|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022034735/https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/25091930/library-creates-new-look-for-city/|archivedate=22 October 2014 |url-status=live}} Completion was expected by the end of 2014.{{cite news|title=Plans unveiled for new Perth library|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-04-24/plans-unveiled-for-new-perth-library/4648052|accessdate=22 October 2014|work=ABC News|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=24 April 2013|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518011215/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-04-24/plans-unveiled-for-new-perth-library/4648052|archivedate=18 May 2013 |url-status=live}} The new library opened on 1 March 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.perth.wa.gov.au/living-community/city-perth-library/new-city-perth-library|title=New City of Perth Library|accessdate=20 March 2016|publisher=City of Perth|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324030246/http://www.perth.wa.gov.au/living-community/city-perth-library/new-city-perth-library|archive-date=24 March 2016|url-status=dead}}

The library has a circular design with seven floors, glass facades, and stone-clad columns.{{cite web|title=City of Perth Library and public plaza|url=http://www.doricgroup.com.au/projects/all-projects/item/city-of-perth-library-and-public-plaza.html|publisher=Doric Group|accessdate=22 October 2014|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309092942/http://doricgroup.com.au/projects/all-projects/item/city-of-perth-library-and-public-plaza.html|archivedate=9 March 2014 |url-status=live}} The building includes a {{convert|13|m|adj=mid|4=-tall}} vertical garden, the tallest in Perth, with more than 3500 plants.{{cite news|last1=Baker|first1=Emily|title=Tall order for landscaper|url=http://inmycommunity.com.au/news-and-views/local-news/Tall-order-for-landscaper/7665213/|accessdate=22 October 2014|work=Guardian Express|date=23 September 2014|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022035738/http://inmycommunity.com.au/news-and-views/local-news/Tall-order-for-landscaper/7665213/|archivedate=22 October 2014|url-status=dead}} The ceiling features a mural by artist Andrew Nicholls entitled Delight and Hurt Not, depicting the final act of Shakespeare's The Tempest illustrated with Western Australian flora and fauna.

File:City of Perth Library Northwest.jpg|Northwest view of the Library

File:City of Perth Library Level One.jpg|Level One of the library

File:City of Perth Library Stairs.jpg|Staircase inside the library

File:City of Perth Library Tree of Knowledge.jpg|Tree of Knowledge

File:Cathedral Square Perth Hay Street.jpg|The Library and the State Buildings

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• {{Official website|http://www.perth.wa.gov.au/living-community/perth-city-library}}
• [http://www.cathedralsquare.com.au/businesses/city-of-perth-library/ City of Perth Library page] at the Cathedral Square website

{{Perth landmarks}}

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Category:Libraries in Perth, Western Australia

Category:Cathedral Square, Perth

Category:Public libraries in Australia