Barr Smith Library

Last updated

Barr Smith Library
UofAdelaide-BarrSmithLibrary-Aug08.jpg
The Barr Smith Library exterior
Barr Smith Library
34°55′09″S138°36′18″E / 34.91916795437422°S 138.60501261484944°E / -34.91916795437422; 138.60501261484944
Location Adelaide, Australia
Type Academic library
Other information
Affiliation University of Adelaide
Website https://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/

The Barr Smith Library is the main library of the University of Adelaide, situated in the centre of the North Terrace campus. It is named after its early benefactor Robert Barr Smith and was formally established in 1882, though its history dates back to 1877 when it purchased its first book.

Contents

History

The Barr Smith Library is the third-oldest university library in Australia and was originally located in the Mitchell Building. [1] [2] [3] The library purchased its first book in 1877 for £11, prior to its formal establishment in 1882. [1] [2] It was later named after its founder Robert Barr Smith who throughout his life had donated £9,000 to purchase books towards the struggling library, which previously had no librarian and an annual budget of £200 of which £150 were spent on books. [4] [5] [6] [1] William Barlow, the registrar, acted as the de facto first librarian of the then-small library and R. J. M. Clucas was the first official librarian in 1900. [1] [3]

Following Robert's death in 1915, an additional endowment of £11,000 in 1920 was made by his family. [6] [4] In 1928, his son Tony Elder Barr Smith donated almost £35,000 towards a new building for the library to reduce congestion at its original site. [7] [4] [8] Robert's granddaughter Christine Margaret Mcgregor also donated almost 5,000 books in 1974. [9] The building was designed in the Georgian Revival architecture style by Walter Hervey Bagot of the Adelaide-based architecture firm Woods, Bagot & Laybourne Smith and was inspired by Kensington Palace in London. [3] [8] Following its completion, its collection was transferred from the Mitchell Building through a zip line. [3] The building features red-brick exteriors with an entrance with Corinthian pillars below an inscription reading "The Barr Smith Library". [10] It was later expanded twice to increase capacity, reaching a peak of 2.4 million books in 2014. [11] [12]

The Reading Room in the library features guilded ivory arches and tall pillars A Hall of Learning.jpg
The Reading Room in the library features guilded ivory arches and tall pillars

The Barr Smith Reading Room is a notable feature of the library on Level 2. It features oak flooring and furniture with white pillars holding the guilded and ivory arches that form the rounded ceiling. [8] [2] [5] Between the pillars and the arches are two large Latin inscriptions that run across both sides of the room in gold and commemorate the donations from Robert and his family who played a major role in its development. [8] [6] [2] In mid-2023, over 61 paper planes were found in ledges around the ceiling of the reading room, including one made using a university brochure dating back to 1991. [13]

The library is also home to a collection of rare books, the archives documenting the development of the university among other collections across various subject areas. [14] This includes books belonging to Samuel Way's collection, who had donated 16,000 books. [9]

Description

The library houses Rare Books and Special Collections and University Archives and Recordkeeping. It is also home to large collections across many subject areas including Australian history, politics and literature, English literature, world wars, socialism and fascism, women and gender studies, utopian literature, and food studies. Specialist collections include the Music Collection, East Asian Collection, Yaitya Ngutupira and Recreational Reading. Level 2 of the library is home to the large and opulent Reading Room. The High Use Collection and study spaces on level 3 can be accessed 24/7. [15]

Librarians

Notable librarians include:

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Adelaide</span> Public university in Adelaide, South Australia

The University of Adelaide is a public research university based in Adelaide, South Australia. Established in 1874, it is the third-oldest university in Australia. Its main campus in the Adelaide city centre includes many sandstone buildings of historical and architectural significance, such as Bonython Hall. Its royal charter awarded by Queen Victoria in 1881 allowed it to become the second university in the English-speaking world to confer degrees to women. It plans to merge with the neighbouring University of South Australia, is adjacent to the Australian Space Agency headquarters on Lot Fourteen and is part of the Adelaide BioMed City research precinct.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elders Limited</span> Australian agribusiness company

Elders Limited, formerly known as Elder, Stirling & Co., Elder Smith and Co. and Elder Smith & Co. Ltd, is an Australian agribusiness that provides agricultural goods and services to primary producers in Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">State Library Victoria</span> State library in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

State Library Victoria (SLV) is the state library of Victoria, Australia. Located in Melbourne, it was established in 1854 as the Melbourne Public Library, making it Australia's oldest public library and one of the first free libraries in the world. It is also Australia's busiest public library and, as of 2023, the third busiest library globally.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adelaide University</span> Public university in South Australia

Adelaide University is a planned public research university based in Adelaide, South Australia. Established in 2024, it will combine the University of Adelaide, the third-oldest university in Australia, and the University of South Australia (UniSA) which has an antecedent history dating back to 1856. It is expected to operate concurrently with the two universities during a transition period with the merged university formally opening on January 2026. It will be adjacent to the Australian Space Agency in Lot Fourteen, form part of the Adelaide BioMed City research precinct and have a presence in the Adelaide Technology Park. The two institutions are currently neighbours on North Terrace but have additional campuses in other parts of the city and state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Library of Scotland</span> Legal deposit library of Scotland

The National Library of Scotland is one of the country's National Collections. It is one of the largest libraries in the United Kingdom. As well as a public programme of exhibitions, events, workshops, and tours, the National Library of Scotland has reading rooms where visitors can access the collections. It is the legal deposit library of Scotland and is a member of Research Libraries UK (RLUK) and the Consortium of European Research Libraries (CERL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Library of Australia</span> National reference library in Australia

The National Library of Australia (NLA), formerly the Commonwealth National Library and Commonwealth Parliament Library, is the largest reference library in Australia, responsible under the terms of the National Library Act 1960 for "maintaining and developing a national collection of library material, including a comprehensive collection of library material relating to Australia and the Australian people", thus functioning as a national library. It is located in Parkes, Canberra, ACT.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">State Library of New South Wales</span> Central library for the state of New South Wales, Australia

The State Library of New South Wales, part of which is known as the Mitchell Library, is a large heritage-listed special collections, reference and research library open to the public and is one of the oldest libraries in Australia. Established in 1869 its collections date back to the Australian Subscription Library established in the colony of New South Wales in 1826. The library is located on the corner of Macquarie Street and Shakespeare Place, in the Sydney central business district adjacent to the Domain and the Royal Botanic Gardens, in the City of Sydney. The library is a member of the National and State Libraries Australia (NSLA) consortium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cleveland Public Library</span> Library system of Cleveland, Ohio (USA)

The Cleveland Public Library is a public library system in Cleveland, Ohio. Founded in 1869, it had a circulation of 3.5 million items in 2020. It operates the Main Library on Superior Avenue in downtown Cleveland, 27 branches throughout the city, a mobile library, a Public Administration Library in City Hall, and the Ohio Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled. The library replaced the State Library of Ohio as the location for the Ohio Center for the Book in 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">State Library of South Australia</span> Reference library in Adelaide, South Australia

The State Library of South Australia, or SLSA, formerly known as the Public Library of South Australia, located on North Terrace, Adelaide, is the official library of the Australian state of South Australia. It is the largest public research library in the state, with a collection focus on South Australian information, being the repository of all printed and audiovisual material published in the state, as required by legal deposit legislation. It holds the "South Australiana" collection, which documents South Australia from pre-European settlement to the present day, as well as general reference material in a wide range of formats, including digital, film, sound and video recordings, photographs, and microfiche. Home access to many journals, newspapers and other resources online is available.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Woods Bagot</span> Architecture firm

Woods Bagot is a global architectural and consulting practice founded in Adelaide, South Australia. It specialises in the design and planning of buildings across a wide variety of sectors and disciplines. Former names of the practice include Woods & Bagot, Woods, Bagot & Jory; Woods, Bagot, Jory & Laybourne Smith; Woods, Bagot, Laybourne-Smith & Irwin; and Woods Bagot Architects Pty Ltd.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George John Robert Murray</span> Judge in South Australia (1863–1942)

Sir George John Robert Murray was a judge from 2 April 1913 until 18 February 1942 on the Supreme Court of South Australia, which is the highest ranking court in the Australian State of South Australia. He was Chief Judge from 20 January 1916 until 18 February 1942.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Barr Smith</span> Australian businessperson

Robert Barr Smith was an Australian businessman and philanthropist in Adelaide, South Australia. He was a partner in Elder Smith and Company from 1863.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thompson Memorial Library</span> Main library at Vassar College

The Frederick Ferris Thompson Memorial Library is the main library building at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walter Bagot (architect)</span> South Australian architect

Walter Hervey Bagot was a South Australian architect. He was one of the last great proponents of the traditional school of South Australian architecture. He founded Woods & Bagot in 1905.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Elder Barr Smith</span>

Thomas Elder Barr Smith was a South Australian pastoralist and philanthropist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Union Hall (Adelaide)</span> Former university building in Adelaide, Australia

Union Hall was a theatre, hall and lecture theatre located on the North Terrace campus of the University of Adelaide, in South Australia. Constructed in 1958, Union Hall served as a performance venue for various festivals and productions until 2007. It was demolished in November 2010 to make way for a new science precinct.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Park 12</span> A park in the Adelaide Park Lands

Park 12, is one of the 29 parks that make up the Adelaide Park Lands. It consists of 55.5 hectares bounded by North Terrace, Frome Road, Sir Edwin Smith Avenue and King William Road.

Helga Josephine Zinnbauer, also known as Helga Freund-Zinnbauer, was an Australian community worker and librarian.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles Hervey Bagot</span> Australian politician

Charles Hervey Bagot, often referred to as "Captain Bagot", was a South Australian pastoralist, mine owner and parliamentarian, and was the ancestor of a number of notable South Australian citizens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baillieu Library</span> University library in Victoria, Australia

The Baillieu Library is the largest of the eleven branches which constitute the University of Melbourne Library, intended to support education and research in the arts, humanities and social sciences. It is located on the west side of the University's inner city Parkville campus, near the corner of Grattan Street and Royal Parade. The building, designed by John Scarborough and opened in 1959, is named after the Baillieu family, who funded the library through the William Lawrence Baillieu Trust.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Burn, Margy (1982). The Barr Smith Library: its early days. Adelaide, South Australia: The University of Adelaide Library. ISBN   978-0-909766-04-7. Archived from the original on 21 November 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Barr Smith Library, The University of Adelaide". Experience Adelaide. Adelaide, South Australia: The Corporation of the City of Adelaide (Adelaide Economic Development Agency). Archived from the original on 18 August 2024. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Tom Elder Barr Smith adds to family legacy by funding 1932 Adelaide University library as a Walter Bagot classic". Adelaide AZ. Adelaide, South Australia. Archived from the original on 28 February 2024. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  4. 1 2 3 Gosse, Fayette (1996). Joanna and Robert: the Barr Smiths' life in letters, 1853-1919. Adelaide, South Australia: Barr Smith Press. Archived from the original on 22 July 2024.
  5. 1 2 "BARR SMITH LIBRARY" (PDF). Heritage of the City of Adelaide: An Illustrated Guide 1996. Adelaide, South Australia: The Corporation of the City of Adelaide. 1996. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 August 2024. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  6. 1 2 3 "Robert Barr Smith & The University of Adelaide". The University of Adelaide. Adelaide, South Australia. Archived from the original on 15 April 2024. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  7. ↑ "Barr Smith Library". The University of Adelaide. Adelaide, South Australia. Archived from the original on 7 July 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Reading room of Barr Smith library created as a beautiful scholarly space by Walter Bagot at Adelaide University". Adelaide AZ. Adelaide, South Australia. Archived from the original on 26 February 2024. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  9. 1 2 The University of Adelaide - 150 Years of Making History. Adelaide, South Australia: The University of Adelaide. Archived from the original on 19 August 2024. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
  10. ↑ Chizea, Chukwuebuka (2 June 2022). "The Barr Smith Library by Woods Bagot". Rethinking The Future. New Delhi, India. Archived from the original on 6 December 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  11. ↑ "University Libraries". The University of Adelaide. Adelaide, South Australia . Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  12. ↑ "Uni library to slash its collection by 70pc". The Advertiser . Adelaide, South Australia: News Corporation (which owns "News Corp Australia"). Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  13. ↑ Francis, Ben (9 August 2023). "Library restoration unearths unusual hidden history". Glam Adelaide. Adelaide, South Australia. Archived from the original on 17 July 2024. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  14. ↑ "Special Collections and Archives". The University of Adelaide. Adelaide, South Australia. Archived from the original on 12 April 2024. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  15. ↑ "Barr Smith Library". The University of Adelaide.
  16. ↑ Rilett, Margaret. "Zinnbauer, Helga Josephine (1909–1980)". Australian Dictionary of Biography . Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISBN   978-0-522-84459-7. ISSN   1833-7538. OCLC   70677943 . Retrieved 18 February 2012.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.