Open Day celebrates a year of revival for Qld State Library

South-East Queensland families joined in celebrations today for the first year anniversary of the redeveloped Queensland State Library.

Deputy Premier Paul Lucas said the new-look State Library had attracted a larger and more diverse audience.

“The Queensland State Library has proven a popular education, learning and cultural Smart State destination, bringing in many new visitors in the last 12 months,” Mr Lucas said.

“Of the 1.2 million visitors through the doors, 70 percent have been young, first-time visitors and seven out of 10 were under the age of 35 ” Mr Lucas said.

“This is no surprise, with user-research showing the new library is considered more accessible, more social and more vibrant than its predecessor and a place for lively and creative interaction.

“Queensland has set a very high benchmark for Australian State Libraries and the Smart State continues to lead in arts and cultural development.

“State libraries are the great levellers of knowledge. These are the places where people can find the rare books, the hard to find books.

“It’s here that people can delve deep into almost any subject using a wide-range of resources, including many unique to the State Library.”

The State Library is now spread over five-levels and has an expanded John Oxley Library with more than 3.5 million items to explore, one of the largest publicly available collections of heritage material, photographs and music.

It also has increased reference resources, an information zone with wireless internet access, multiple galleries and display spaces and an Indigenous Knowledge Centre.

“As an integral part of the Government’s $291 million Cultural Centre redevelopment, the Library has quickly become a must-see cultural destination and I have no doubt it will only become more popular in years to come,” Mr Lucas said.

Media inquiries: Robert Hoge 0419 757 868