Months-long closure of key State Library research space
A well-used study and research space for students and academics will be closed for months at the state’s premier library.
The State Library of South Australia’s Research Library will be closed from April 20 until sometime in July as upgrade works are started to prepare the space for the new City Library.
It comes after the historic Mortlock Chamber – recently crowned the second most beautiful library in the world – was closed for months last year for restoration works.
As part of the renovations, the Research Library will have new floor coverings and a reconfigured layout – with the closure a surprise to many studying in the space on Friday.
The State Government has also committed $2 million to create a new children’s space on the ground floor of the State Library.
Other areas in the State Library, including the Mortlock Chamber, exhibition spaces, the library and the Institute Building, will remain open.
It means during the Research Library’s closure, browsing of collections and in-person research support will be unavailable.
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Among the other services unavailable during the closure are drop-in research assistance, open access reference collections, microfilm and newspapers, public computers, copying and scanning and meeting rooms.
However, access to collections will resume on April 27 in a temporary reading room located in the Jervois Room of the Mortlock Chamber.
Brazilian expat Viviane Baptiste, who attends English classes once a week at the State Library, was unaware of the closure.
“I use it to learn to speak English because every afternoon, you can practice your English – I came here today for the study part of the library,” she said.
“I think some people will need to come, but they will be closed. Those people will need to search for another library to use.”
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Fellow Brazilian expat Jaque Ribeiro, who was also learning English, was also unaware of the closure.
“Today, we come in with our teacher to learn about statues and the history of Adelaide,” she said.
Ribeiro was disappointed she could not continue attending English classes for the time being.
“I think that the services are helping many students from Latin America. I think that the service is very important,” she said.
Volker Medrow, who was originally from Germany, has also been attending English tutoring services at the State Library for the past two years.
“I enjoy this possibility to have an English tutor, one person, with whom I can speak English and improve my English,” he said.
“It’s a very good comfort, and I enjoy it, personally, the service, to speak with someone.”
State Library of South Australia director Megan Berghuis said that “the temporary closure of the Research Library is necessary to prepare for this exciting new chapter, and we remain committed to supporting library patrons and visitors throughout this period.
“We look forward to welcoming the community back to a refreshed space offering an improved and amplified library experience from one central location.”
The State Library welcomes about 500,000 visitors every year.
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