Local Libraries
Brisbane
West End Library 178 Boundary Rd West End:
The only library in town with a clock tower, Kurilpa (c1929) as it was originally known was the first public library built by Brisbane City Council. This was a time of transition from the 19th century ways of book loans being provided by the local School of Arts to a modern public library network. Even so most of Brisbane’s public libraries were built from the 1940’s onwards, leaving Kurilpa as a uniquely grand 1920’s Georgian structure. The architect was renowned city architect Alfred Foster, who was also responsible for the commanding Valley Municipal Baths façade as well as the bandstands in Bowen, Newstead and New Farm parks.
Corinda Library 641 Oxley Rd Corinda:
The oldest surviving building on the commercial strip it inhabits, Corinda Library was built as a local School of Arts in 1895, meaning that members of the public have been trundling in to borrow books from inside of this building for over one hundred and ten years. In the first half of the twentieth century School of Arts were gradually stopped from public subscription lending as public libraries, newly created by the Brisbane City Council, took over the role.
Mt Coot-tha Library Admin Building Mt Coot-tha Botanical Gardens Mt Coot-tha Rd Toowong:
This tiny library is little more than a reading room but for green thumbs and those with an interest in botany (including children) it is a book garden of Eden.
The entire collection is given over to all things flora, and not just Australian but from around the world. Books on castle gardens, Tuscan gardens, guerrilla gardening , edible gardens, growing organic vegetables, wildflowers, rainforests – anything, it seems that was ever written in this genre is here.
And for budding garden fans there’s a great collection of topical children’s books, both fiction and non-fiction.
Various locations.
