ALIA Australian Library Design Awards

Thank you, Ms Schmidt, for your kind introduction this afternoon.

And ladies and gentlemen, thank you for the warm welcome you have extended to Kaye and me.

Today’s awards are particularly close to our hearts – I enjoy an enduring interest in architecture and design, and Kaye is very proud to be a librarian by profession, having worked in a number of University of Queensland libraries during the 1970s.

It is a pleasure to be here at our very own State Library of Queensland, so beautifully designed by Donovan Hill and Peddle Thorp, and officially opened in 2006.

The story of this iconic library dates back to 1896, when the government of the Colony of Queensland established what was then known as the Brisbane Public Library in William Street.

After just two years, it was renamed the Public Library of Queensland, finally becoming the State Library of Queensland in 1971.

As a law student in the 1960s, libraries were a welcoming place for busy people to find the tranquillity required to focus on their studies.

Those were very different days – when libraries held somewhat of a monopoly on knowledge.

The internet has since stolen that monopoly, but what technology cannot do is recreate a sense of place and the joy of human congregation.

The attraction of libraries may no longer lie in books, but in their readers – in their desire to come together and share ideas as a community of like-minded individuals.

Contrary to what some feared, the internet has not caused the end of libraries.

It has inspired them to transform and stay relevant.

And they have successfully done so with the assistance of exceptionally talented architects and designers, some of whom we will recognise today.

As Governor of Queensland, I am delighted to present the 2019 Australian Library Design Awards in all four categories.

But before I do, I express our sincere gratitude to the judging panel, and to the organisers of the Library Design Awards Conference, as well as to everyone who has contributed to the success of this marvellous event.

Thank you.