National Library of Australia Conservation Management Plan (Cth)

National Library of Australia Conservation Management Plan

A management plan complying with s341S(1) of the EPBC Act 1999

Prepared for the National Library of Australia

by Duncan Marshall B.Arch(Hons) BA MICOMOS

2018 Executive Summary

This conservation management plan for the National Library of Australia in Canberra provides a sound basis for the good management and conservation of this place and its heritage significance. The plan: * describes the Library building; * provides an overview of the history of the place; * offers evidence related to aesthetic and social values; * analyses all of this evidence and provides a statement of significance for the place; * considers opportunities and constraints affecting the management of the place; * provides a conservation policy and implementation strategies to guide management and conservation; and * provides a schedule of priority conservation works.

The Library is entered on the Commonwealth Heritage List maintained under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. This listing protects the heritage values of the place, and imposes a number of obligations including the need to prepare and maintain an up to date management plan.

The Library is a place of considerable heritage value related to its history and role, for its landmark qualities, for a range of creative qualities related to its contribution to the significant cultural landscape of the Parliamentary Zone, architecture, construction, notable interiors, integrated artworks and original furniture, and its associations with a range of important people.

The conservation policy and implementation strategies cover a wide range of matters including: * training and liaison; * conservation of the building and other attributes of significance; * uses; * setting; and * interpretation.