Alexander Library Building

The Alexander Library Building, is located in the Cultural Centre of Perth, Western Australia.

Alexander Library Building
Front entrance of Alexander Library Building
General information
StatusComplete
TypeLibrary
LocationBetween James Street Mall and Francis Street, Perth
Address25 Francis Street, Perth
Town or cityPerth
CountryAustralia
Coordinates31.948822°S 115.860565°E / -31.948822; 115.860565
Current tenantsState Library of Western Australia
State Records Office
Construction started1982
Completed1985
Opened18 June 1985
CostA$37.6 million
LandlordGovernment of Western Australia
Design and construction
Architecture firmCameron, Chisholm and Nicol
Structural engineerNorman, Disney and Young

It was named after Western Australian historian and former member of the Library Board, Fred Alexander.[1]

It houses the State Library of Western Australia, the J S Battye Library,[2] and the State Records Office, in the Perth Cultural Precinct in Northbridge.

The building falls under the responsibility of the Western Australian government Department of Culture and Arts. It was completed and opened in 1985.[3][4]

It has been changed internally over time, however the basic structure remains.[5][6]

Earlier landscape

The sloped walkway just east of the building runs roughly along the alignment of the old Museum Street, which ran between James Street and Francis Street. The street had a unique streetscape, one of the most mixed in this area of the Perth central business district – which was all removed in the construction of the new library building.

Only one building is commemorated on the Alexander Library Building structure – the Perth Baptist Church which was in Museum Street from 1899 to 1979. The Theosophical Bookshop and library was long established at the corner of Museum and James Streets. The streetscape can be found in Wise's Directories for the earlier decades.

Plaques at entrance

View from the steps on James Street
  • 30 November 1979 – Commencement of Construction
  • 18 June 1985 – Opening of Building

References

  1. Alexander, Fred (1976), Library Board collection, retrieved 17 April 2017
  2. "J. S. Battye Library of West Australian History. -along with the other library services run by the Library Board of Western Australia has moved into the new Alexander Library Building which was officially opened on 18 June, 1985-", Archives and Manuscripts, 14 (2): -11–28, November 1986, ISSN 0157-6895
  3. The Alexander Library Building : Perth Cultural Centre. Opened 18 June 1985, n.p, retrieved 17 April 2017
  4. Library Board of Western Australia (1985), The Alexander Library Building : Perth Cultural Centre. Opened 18 June 1985, State Library Service of Western Australia, retrieved 17 April 2017
  5. Library and Information Service of Western Australia (1990), How to find your way around the Alexander Library building, LISWA, retrieved 17 April 2017
  6. The Alexander Library Building : Perth Cultural Centre. Opened 18 June 1985, n.p, retrieved 17 April 2017
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