Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2019L00148:reg:2017:p19
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2019L00148
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 2017 (pt 19/81)
Character Range: 90811–93639

Heritage Furniture Register relates to furniture of significance because of its association with the design or evolving history of the Library.  Selection criteria are included in a policy underpinning the Register.  Other historical furniture pieces have been donated to the Library from time to time, and are not related to the design of the building and its fitout.  These items are regarded as part of the Library object collection, rather than as part of the Heritage Furniture Register protected under policies in this plan.

2.6 Evidence of Scientific value

While the building contains evidence of its design, construction and use, there is no indication that this evidence is likely to establish new facts about Australia's cultural history.  There is no evidence of major archaeological deposits associated with the place.

2.7 Evidence of Social Value

Evidence of social value can be measured by a number of expressions of community regard for a place.  These include:
    • Community awareness of the Library:  a national survey[71] suggests that 52% of Australians are aware of the Library, and that 1.4 million people took part in public program activities during a year, but this does not provide heritage-related information without further questioning.
    • Expressions of community concern for a place:  while there has been, from time to time, expression of public support or concern, regarding the Library, these have been about library functions rather than about the building's heritage values.  A recent such example relates to funding for Trove.
    • Use of the image of the place as an icon, and the sense of the building being a Canberra landmark.  The Library has featured in much tourism promotional material, and documentary footage about Canberra, but there is no analysis of this usage to suggest this is related to respect for or recognition of heritage values within the community, other than as a symbol of the national capital.  However, it is suspected these iconic and landmark qualities have been diminished as other developments have taken place, such as the completion of the Australian Parliament House in 1988.
    • The association of the place with Aboriginal tradition and values:  while there is a general recognition of the Molonglo River (now within Lake Burley Griffin) as a centre for Aboriginal activity, no specific associations have been identified for the National Library of Australia site.

The findings of a 2009 social value study of Lake Burley Griffin are relevant to the Library.  The Library featured in three of the top 10 views rated as important to peoples enjoyment of places around the lake.  The views were:
     * the distant view of the Library, and Parliament House, from Commonwealth Park;
     * the view of Black Mountain from alongside the Library;