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attached to the Victorian Parliamentary Library in Melbourne.[61]  The Victorian parliamentary librarian acted as a 'librarian on loan' to the Commonwealth government until the library was relocated to Canberra in 1927.[62]
From 1927 to 1936 the National Library was housed in A Block at the north end of West Block, and occupied all levels (Figure 18).  At the time, it was primarily a parliamentary library, rather than a national cultural institution.[63]
The 'sparse and restricted services of the National Library' were criticised in a 1934 report on libraries in Australia. [64]  The following year, the Prime Minister's Department provided supplementary funding to the library, and in 1936, the library relocated.  Purpose-built premises for the National Library were completed, enabling the co-location of all collections and staff within one building in the Parliamentary Triangle.
Figure 17 Public servants in the Prime Minister's Department, West Block, 1928
Source: National Archives of Australia, NAA A3560 7557
Figure 18 Plans for the National Library at West Block, 1926
Source: National Archives of Australia, A2617 Section 14/1411

2.5.1               Alterations, 1927-38
Major alterations to West Block were required to accommodate the new External Affairs Department and for the relocation of the Auditor-General's department, which was to be moved to Canberra from Melbourne.[65]
Works undertaken in 1927-38 included:
      * Enclosure of the corner balconies and verandas to create additional office space[66]
      * An additional level on top of the two-storey wings to A and C Blocks, bringing the whole building to the same level.  This change resulted in the removal of original windows
      * The closure of the open links between the central block (B Block) and A and C blocks
See plans, elevations and sections of changes at West Block in 1927-38 at Appendix B.
Floor plans illustrating the incremental development of West Block are at Figure 26, Figure 27, Figure 28 and Figure 29.

2.6                    World War II, 1940-45
The most radical alterations to Murdoch's original design occurred as a consequence of World War II, which triggered a significant influx of civil servants to Canberra.  A key implication for West Block was the expansion of the Cables Branch.
In January 1943, Prime Minister Curtin wrote to the Minister of the Interior, J S Collins, expressing concern at overcrowded working conditions in West Block.  The increase in the number of staff in the Cables Branch was highlighted as particular problem.[67]  It was also noted that the increased number of female employees during wartime meant that the toilet facilities had become inadequate.
A Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works report in 1943 noted that while small additions had been made, with the conversion of corridors and balconies into offices, more space was required.  Several solutions were proposed,