‘Unfortunate timing’: SA’s global library beauty no longer booked out
For months, visitors hoping to catch a glimpse of one of the world’s most beautiful libraries on North Terrace have been turned away. Today, that all changes. InDaily toured the Mortlock Chamber ahead of its long-anticipated reopening.
It was back on August 5 that the state’s Mortlock Chamber was crowned the second most beautiful library in the world by 1000 Libraries – but visitors hoping to make their own assessment have been locked out since June.
The historic library built between 1866 and 1884 was closed for “essential” renovations led by architecture firm Swanbury Penglase – with the much-needed renovation of “well-worn” carpet and masonry columns on the ground floor underway.
Friday morning marked the much-anticipated, official reopening, and InDaily toured the Mortlock Chamber in the lead up, learning about marriage proposals, a random motorbike lapping the basement and a unique connection with Big Ben in London.
Exhibitions librarian Mark Gilbert admitted the library’s global win could have been timed better, but believed there is still plenty of momentum following the accolade.
“I suppose you’d say it was a bit of unfortunate timing in terms of the publicity about the second most beautiful library in the world, but of course, when you’re dealing with heritage buildings, because the planning takes so long, you just have to go with what was planned,” he told InDaily.
“It was a bit difficult and people did come in and they wanted to see the building, but now, I suppose it’s a bit of a tease, so people are going to be a lot keener to come in.
“Even today, when I was on the information desk, we had people coming in from other parts of the country trying to see the building.”
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Megan Berghuis, who is the director of the State Library of South Australia (SLSA), agreed, telling InDaily that there has been a lot of interest from people wanting to see the Mortlock Chamber for themselves after it was voted as one of the most beautiful libraries in the world.
“While the timing of the vote and the temporary closure for re-carpeting was unfortunate, everyone has been incredibly understanding and supportive – in fact, it seems to have added to the anticipation and excitement within the community,” she said.
Berghuis said SLSA hopes to capitalise on this acknowledgement for as long as it can.
“The recognition has sparked a wave of interest and pride – not just locally, but nationally and internationally,” she said.
“While the timing of the re-carpeting meant we couldn’t immediately welcome visitors into the Mortlock Chamber, the reopening gives us a fresh opportunity to celebrate and showcase this stunning space and why it truly deserves this ranking.
“We’re confident that the momentum is still very much alive, and we’re already seeing renewed excitement from people planning their visits.”
Gilbert said that during the renovations, they found that the floor had been re-patched several times over the years with bricks. As such, they ground down the floor so that it would be perfectly level.
Another unique discovery was the original heating pipes hidden beneath the floor.
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Previously known as the Jervois Wing, the Mortlock Chamber was constructed in 1884 in a French Renaissance style at a cost of £36,395, with its interiors typical of the Victorian era.
Prior to this, the state library had been located in the nearby Institute Building, which still forms part of the SLSA’s complex today.
Alongside housing the state library, the building was also used for the South Australian Museum and the Art Gallery of South Australia.
The exterior features a mansard roof and was built from bricks and Sydney freestone facings, with darker Manoora stone for decoration.
Gilbert told InDaily the grandeur of the Mortlock Chamber was meant to be a statement of learning.
“We were a free-thinking colony – we didn’t have an established religion or whatever – so, it was meant to be a symbol of freethinking,” he said.
The wing was renamed after pastoralist John Andrew Tennant Mortlock, who was a generous benefactor to the library, in 1986, for South Australia’s jubilee celebrations.
Since the Spence Wing opened in 2003, the Mortlock Chamber has mainly been used as a study space and for events and exhibitions.
One standout feature of the library is an historic clock installed in 1887, completed by British clockmaker Dent and Sons, which is also the company behind London’s Big Ben clock.
“The building opened in 1884, but straight away, the board of the library realised they really needed a clock there,” said Gilbert.
“Charles Todd was a board member and was famous for his work on the Overland Telegraph, which linked Adelaide to Australia and the world. He was going over to London for a big conference – he was an astronomer and meteorologist – and he was instructed to choose a clock.
“It gets wound every week on a Monday morning, and it keeps perfect time – it’s just beautiful.”
Throughout its storied history, the Mortlock Chamber has seen some wild and wonderful events, including a newspaper librarian who used to ride his motorbike around the basement and numerous marriage proposals.
“It’s a beautiful space, and people come in all the time. It’s very popular at university graduation time – people come in and get their photo taken in the chamber because they’ve spent so much time studying there,” said Gilbert.
To mark today’s reopening, SLSA will be hosting guided tours of the Mortlock Chamber every hour until 3pm, as well as free kids’ activities on Saturday and Sunday.
