Northcote Free Library- Rucker's Hill Spring 2014 55
Walk around Rucker's Hill, Northcote retracing places surveyed in 1982-3 for heritage study, images using an old 21mm OM manual lens:
Northcote Free Library
185-187 High Street NORTHCOTE, Darebin City
Designer: local architect Edward Twentyman Jnr
`Northcote's Carnegie Library
The idea for a library in Northcote was first raised in the early 1880s. In 1883 the Northcote Council agreed to set aside a room in the new Northcote Town Hall for use as a library. However it was not until 1890 that the library was established.
For a fee of 10 shillings per annum the residents of Northcote could access the 3,000 volumes held in the library. The library was housed in the Town Surveyorâs office, a mere 25 foot by 12 foot room.
The library was administered by a committee. This committee comprised of Councilors, ratepayers and library subscribers. To generate additional income to maintain the library the Committee organized various fund raising events. In 1898 these events raised £103. Given that the library only had £3 in the bank at that time, this was an invaluable contribution.
Efforts began to build a new library and the Northcote Council agreed to contribute £250 towards a new library providing the State Government did the same. The Government would only agree to £100 so the issue lapsed.
The Secretary of the Library Committee, R. J. Whalley was dissatisfied with this state of affairs and decided to approach the Andrew Carnegie Foundation for funds to build a new library. The Andrew Carnegie Foundation was established by steel magnate Andrew Carnegie to fund charitable works around the world. He was a strong supporter of public libraries.
On 21st September 1907 Whalley wrote to the Foundation, asking for £1,500 to build a small library or Mechanics Institute. The Foundation agreed providing certain conditions were met. These were, that the Council must agree to provide ongoing funding, that the library must be free, and the building plans must be approved by the Foundation. A meeting of the Council accepted these conditions, pledging £200 per annum to purchase new materials and maintain the building.
The Foundation agreed to pay £3,000 for the building of the library, to be paid in three £1,000 amounts. The Council purchased a block of land on the corner of James and High streets as a site for the new library. A Federation Free Classical design by Edward Twentyman Jr. was selected, and then approved by the Foundation. A quote for £2,756 was accepted from E. Bowness to build the library.
On 22nd February 1911, the Mayor Ralph Archibald laid the foundation stone. Beneath the stone was placed some Melbourne newspapers, a copy of the Northcote Leader, budget figures from the Council, a library catalogue and some coins.
The opening of the Northcote Free Library, on August 21st 1911, was a major event in the town and was suitably celebrated with a number of speeches. Entertainment was provided by John Amadio who played a number of flute pieces, accompanied by Mrs. Whalley on the pianoforte. There were also recitals by Miss Elsie Berry and Mr. Sol Bloom.
The Governor of Victoria, Sir John Fuller was the guest of honour, commenting that â...reading in itself was all very well, reading might be instructive, or it might be a pastime, or it might be actually harmful.â
The new library had five rooms, i.e. , the Magazine Room, the Newspaper Room, the Main Room (housing the book collections), a Meeting Room and a room probably designated for study purposes. A stand in the centre of the main room allowed the Librarian to overlook the library ensuring order.
The âfreeâ library had an immediate impact in the community, as 300 new members were registered in only the first three days of opening.
In July 1985 the Northcote Library moved to new premises in Separation Street. The original Carnegie building was then converted to Council offices.' (Darebin Library web site 2014)
`The Northcote Free Library is, externally, a near-original example of an imposing classical revival style building which has been designed as a complement to the Town Hall. It is also one of the few known Carnegie libraries in the State and has served as a public building over a long period.
The design, possibly to Carnegie's dictation, was of a conservative classical revival manner which harmonised, by the repetition of prominent pediments, with the town hall of 1888. The stylised ornament, as seen in the pilaster capitals, the widely spaced triglyphs, and the simple parapet entablature, and the axial open planning of the interior, suggest the influence of the Beaux Arts. The building is single-storey, raised as a high, quarry faced bluestone plinth. The projecting portico has coupled Tuscan columns and is flanked by two pedimented wings set back from the street. Window details, the foliated tympanums, the fenestration colonettes, and the balustrading are all derived from the earlier building. Alterations include the painting of the render the replacement of the entry doors, the absence of the handles from the portico urns and the replacement of the former grassed, rockery enclosed forecourt, by asphalt. The interior has been renovated.' Ward 2000
Northcote Free Library- Rucker's Hill Spring 2014 55
Walk around Rucker's Hill, Northcote retracing places surveyed in 1982-3 for heritage study, images using an old 21mm OM manual lens:
Northcote Free Library
185-187 High Street NORTHCOTE, Darebin City
Designer: local architect Edward Twentyman Jnr
`Northcote's Carnegie Library
The idea for a library in Northcote was first raised in the early 1880s. In 1883 the Northcote Council agreed to set aside a room in the new Northcote Town Hall for use as a library. However it was not until 1890 that the library was established.
For a fee of 10 shillings per annum the residents of Northcote could access the 3,000 volumes held in the library. The library was housed in the Town Surveyorâs office, a mere 25 foot by 12 foot room.
The library was administered by a committee. This committee comprised of Councilors, ratepayers and library subscribers. To generate additional income to maintain the library the Committee organized various fund raising events. In 1898 these events raised £103. Given that the library only had £3 in the bank at that time, this was an invaluable contribution.
Efforts began to build a new library and the Northcote Council agreed to contribute £250 towards a new library providing the State Government did the same. The Government would only agree to £100 so the issue lapsed.
The Secretary of the Library Committee, R. J. Whalley was dissatisfied with this state of affairs and decided to approach the Andrew Carnegie Foundation for funds to build a new library. The Andrew Carnegie Foundation was established by steel magnate Andrew Carnegie to fund charitable works around the world. He was a strong supporter of public libraries.
On 21st September 1907 Whalley wrote to the Foundation, asking for £1,500 to build a small library or Mechanics Institute. The Foundation agreed providing certain conditions were met. These were, that the Council must agree to provide ongoing funding, that the library must be free, and the building plans must be approved by the Foundation. A meeting of the Council accepted these conditions, pledging £200 per annum to purchase new materials and maintain the building.
The Foundation agreed to pay £3,000 for the building of the library, to be paid in three £1,000 amounts. The Council purchased a block of land on the corner of James and High streets as a site for the new library. A Federation Free Classical design by Edward Twentyman Jr. was selected, and then approved by the Foundation. A quote for £2,756 was accepted from E. Bowness to build the library.
On 22nd February 1911, the Mayor Ralph Archibald laid the foundation stone. Beneath the stone was placed some Melbourne newspapers, a copy of the Northcote Leader, budget figures from the Council, a library catalogue and some coins.
The opening of the Northcote Free Library, on August 21st 1911, was a major event in the town and was suitably celebrated with a number of speeches. Entertainment was provided by John Amadio who played a number of flute pieces, accompanied by Mrs. Whalley on the pianoforte. There were also recitals by Miss Elsie Berry and Mr. Sol Bloom.
The Governor of Victoria, Sir John Fuller was the guest of honour, commenting that â...reading in itself was all very well, reading might be instructive, or it might be a pastime, or it might be actually harmful.â
The new library had five rooms, i.e. , the Magazine Room, the Newspaper Room, the Main Room (housing the book collections), a Meeting Room and a room probably designated for study purposes. A stand in the centre of the main room allowed the Librarian to overlook the library ensuring order.
The âfreeâ library had an immediate impact in the community, as 300 new members were registered in only the first three days of opening.
In July 1985 the Northcote Library moved to new premises in Separation Street. The original Carnegie building was then converted to Council offices.' (Darebin Library web site 2014)
`The Northcote Free Library is, externally, a near-original example of an imposing classical revival style building which has been designed as a complement to the Town Hall. It is also one of the few known Carnegie libraries in the State and has served as a public building over a long period.
The design, possibly to Carnegie's dictation, was of a conservative classical revival manner which harmonised, by the repetition of prominent pediments, with the town hall of 1888. The stylised ornament, as seen in the pilaster capitals, the widely spaced triglyphs, and the simple parapet entablature, and the axial open planning of the interior, suggest the influence of the Beaux Arts. The building is single-storey, raised as a high, quarry faced bluestone plinth. The projecting portico has coupled Tuscan columns and is flanked by two pedimented wings set back from the street. Window details, the foliated tympanums, the fenestration colonettes, and the balustrading are all derived from the earlier building. Alterations include the painting of the render the replacement of the entry doors, the absence of the handles from the portico urns and the replacement of the former grassed, rockery enclosed forecourt, by asphalt. The interior has been renovated.' Ward 2000