Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2019L00148:reg:2017:p45
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2019L00148
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 2017 (pt 45/81)
Character Range: 168626–175270

table which summarises a number of condition and integrity issues.

As a general comment, the Library displays fair to good condition and medium to high integrity.  Considerable internal refurbishment work in recent years has seen a general improvement in the condition of the interior.  However, there are some elements of the fabric which are showing signs of deterioration such as the marble cladding.  There have also been a number of changes to the building over the years, some of which have had an impact on integrity.  This includes the changing use of some important spaces for changing user expectations and service requirements (eg. the former Keeper of Rare Book's office), and physical changes such as the loss of the original card catalogue area, and creation of the outdoor café enclosure.

Table 6.  Condition and Integrity of the Attributes of the National Library of Australia

Criteria                                                                                  Attributes                                                                                                                                                                                                    Condition  Integrity

Criterion (a) –History                                                                    The whole building including its podium extensions and its national library use, being:                                                                                                                       Fair-Good  Medium
                                                                                               * the repository of Australia's national library collection
                                                                                               * an important building in its setting and location within the Parliamentary Zone.

                                                                                          The Council Room, reflecting the continuing historical association between the Library and Parliament through the role of parliamentary appointees on the Council of the Library.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Good       Medium
Criterion (b) – Rarity                                                                    The whole building and its use as the national library.                                                                                                                                                       Fair-Good  Medium
Criterion (d) – Representativeness                                                        The building's Late Twentieth Century Stripped Classical style evidenced in:                                                                                                                                  Fair       High
                                                                                               * the symmetrical façade;
                                                                                               * horizontal skyline;
                                                                                               * regular bays of vertical proportion;
                                                                                               * colonnade, using columns without bases or capitals;
                                                                                               * the use of a broad horizontal member at the roof line echoing classical entablature;
                                                                                          central entrance.
Criterion (e) –Aesthetic                                                                  The building and its location in a prominent and strategic location on the western side of the base of the Zone, dominating views across Lake Burley Griffin, making it one of Canberra's landmark features.  Good       High
characteristics
Criterion (f) –Creative                                                                   The National Library building contributes through its visual prominence, location, proportions and materials to the planned aesthetic qualities of the Parliamentary Zone.                                    Fair-Good  High
achievement
                                                                                          Fine craft construction and the use of high quality materials is reflected in:
                                                                                               * the external building cladding and finishes of the building and podium;
                                                                                               * the design and/or finely crafted details of the surviving original internal spaces of note, these being the:
                                                                                                  * entry foyer, twin stair cases and mezzanine (GR:55, L1:78);
                                                                                                  * café and bookshop;
                                                                                                  * Main Reading Room (GR:31);                                                                                                                                                                          Fair       High
                                                                                                  * Council Room (L1:11);
                                                                                                  * former Director General's office (L1:01);
                                                                                                  * Chairman's Room (L1:05);
                                                                                                  * Nan Kivell Room (L2:24);
                                                                                                  * Nan Kivell Room Foyer (L2: 25);                                                                                                                                                                     Good       Medium
                                                                                                  * former Manuscripts Librarian's office (L2:38);