Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2019L00148:reg:2017:p44
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2019L00148
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 2017 (pt 44/81)
Character Range: 165763–168885

in the National Library Act 1960.  Operational budget control rests with the Director-General, with delegated expenditure responsibilities to varying amounts for specific purposes at lower levels.

National Library of Australia Requirements and Aspirations

The National Library of Australia develops, curates and preserves a diverse collection, and provides services such as on site and online programs, exhibitions and education programs.  Fulfilling these functions requires substantial stack areas, reading rooms, technical support areas (digitisation and imaging services, materials conservation, information and IT services), exhibition and public presentation areas, and staff work areas.  All areas identified as having heritage values in this report continue to be used for ongoing library and support functions.

Over the decades, there has been a degree of change in the use of some areas, or change or refurbishment of their fitout.  On the other hand, other spaces have remained unchanged in use or fitout.  The current aspirations and planned changes potentially involving the building include:
     * lighting upgrade for energy efficiency (2017-19) – upgrades to internal building lighting to install energy efficient fittings and sensor lighting where appropriate;
     * marble facade upgrade project (2017-19) – survey of condition of marble fascia, columns and balcony and replacement or repair as required;
     * external window upgrade (2017-22) – repair or replacement of inefficient, aging window systems for energy efficiencies and maintenance;
     * ceiling repairs (2017-22) – scheduled maintenance of existing ceilings;  and
     * parquetry flooring repairs (2017-18) – maintenance and repair of existing parquetry flooring.

These projects would entail varying degrees of heritage issues.

A Building Master Plan was completed in 2016 which considers many of the aspirations identified above.  The Building Master Plan references the heritage values of the building for consideration with each planning initiative identified.

Maintenance budgets have not yet been addressed to separate out heritage related elements of work.  Separation of heritage components may only prove to be feasible where specific heritage fabric (such as timber wall panelling and original fitout) is being maintained.  Budgeting for life-cycle maintenance of the internal spaces of specific heritage significance identified in this plan, and of the external building facade and podium is critical to an effective conservation regime for the Library.

5.5 Analysis of Condition and Integrity

Information about the condition and integrity of the National Library of Australia is presented in this section in three ways:  a brief summary statement;  followed by an analysis of the condition and integrity of the attributes of the Library;  and finally a 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