Main Library celebrates its ten-year anniversary

Whilst the current Main Library may be the only one you’ve known, our story is linked to that of the University. From the origins of the University at Mason College on Edmund Street, to the modern building you see today, the history of your library is inexorably linked to the history of your university.

This year, on the tenth anniversary of its current iteration, we’ll be celebrating the history, spaces, stories, and people who have been a part of the journey of thousands of staff, students, and alumni.

A view on the library from 1891

An article from the May 1891 edition of Mason College Magazine, No 5, volume 11:

"Of all the institutions of this College none is of more than importance the Library. Laboratories, Class Rooms – even learned professors, only benefit a certain number of students, while the library exists for all, the alma nutrix of students, young and old." - The Library and its Readers.

2016: staff outside the old library and inside the new

A large group of librarians stand on the steps outside the old Main Library: a tall red-brick 1950s building with the university's crests high above the doors.
A large group of librarians stand at the foot of the iconic main staircase of the Main Library.

Staff posed on the steps of the old Main Library, then posed again not long afterwards at the foot of the golden stairs in what was, to them, the new Main Library.

The old Main Library in 2010

Here's a look back at what people thought of the library's services sixteen years ago. 

Video transcription

I was impressed really by the range of subjects that's covered you can just find anything there it's great. Everyone's there to like tell you where to go and what you need to read so it's it all comes a bit of a family in the end. Everyone's very friendly um if you need to know where anything is the staff are very helpful. My first impression was like it was very big there was loads of books but it was really well managed. 

[Music] I think the size of the print collection is really impressive it was one of the first things that stood out to me when I came to visit the library for the first time. So many books and like so much of knowledge that's really awesome. Amazed at you know the vast amount of resources.

I normally use the self-service machines to take books out it's really quick and easy you scan your card you put your book through take it out and the book's yours.

The elibrary is very important to my studies I find it very useful to be able to access information away from the library site remotely and that's one of the great advantages of the E Library

[Music] Just Ask this service I think is very good once you have any questions you can immediate just type it and they can help help you get the answer and they can respond you immediately and solve your problem. Staff at the information desk at the front of the library wonderful really helpful um obviously the library is a big place you can't always find everything don't know where everything is they'll be able to put you in the right direction no problems

[Music]  Training sessions were very useful you know giving me confidence on how to actually use the Library resources how the library is structured how it's organized and where to actually ask for help if I need that

[Music] The first first time I went to see a subject advisor was When I Was preparing for an assignment um our lecturer told us to use an electronic resource which we had never used before and I went to see uh my subject advisor and um he explained to me how the resource worked where I could find it how I could access it and he gave me some very tailored advice to my assignment and to my to my actual needs.

If I'm spending a day in the library I'll usually start with the iLounge get myself a cup of coffee socialize a bit then if I need any books I'll go and find the books that I need for that day, if not I'll use the Elibrary on computer my laptop using the wireless network and then I'll head to one of the quiet study areas get on with my work and then if I've got a project on I'll use one of the group areas so if you're doing Project work that's really useful

[Music] To sum up the library I would say it's a knowledge Hub you can get everything and anything over there. Without Library Services I couldn't have completed my BA. For me the best thing about the library is the staff they've always got time a day for you. I  think it's just like a home and welcome you to come here to study. I think for the international student that part is very very important literally everything that you need in order to get on your degree is involved in some form or another in the library. To sum up the library... everything you need to know and more.