Addresses
Type of place
Library
Period
Postwar 1945-1960
Style
International
exterior of Annerley Library & Community Centre
Interior of Annerley Library & Community Centre
Interior of Annerley Library & Community Centre
This is an image of the local heritage place known as Annerley Library & Community Centre
Annerley Library & Community Centre
Addresses
Type of place
Library
Period
Postwar 1945-1960
Style
International
The Annerley Library, designed in 1956, is a surviving example of a purpose-built library designed by Brisbane City Council’s distinguished architect, James Birrell. Together with the adjoining Community Centre and its landscaped setting, the library forms a tranquil, shaded corner in the otherwise hostile environs of Ipswich Road. The library has been a valued community resource since its opening in the 1950s. The adjoining Community Centre has augmented the community facilities on the site.
Also known as
Annerley Civic Centre
Lot plan
L312_SP260430; L1_SP260430
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Citation —
People/associations
James Birrell (Architect)Criterion for listing
(E) Aesthetic; (G) Social; (H) Historical associationInteractive mapping
Also known as
Annerley Civic Centre
Lot plan
L312_SP260430; L1_SP260430
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Citation —
People/associations
James Birrell (Architect)Criterion for listing
(E) Aesthetic; (G) Social; (H) Historical associationInteractive mapping
History
Birrell designed three libraries for the Brisbane City Council – Annerley (1957), Chermside (1958) and Toowong. Chermside and Annerley were the first libraries built by the Council for more than 30 years. The Toowong Library was transferred from Birrell’s building to Toowong Village shopping centre in 2001. The old library has been incorporated into a commercial development that includes the site of the former Toowong Pool (also designed by Birrell, now demolished). The Chermside Library was made redundant with the opening of a new purpose-built library nearby in 1997. The old library was sold and is now commercial premises. The Annerley Library is the only Birrell-designed, purpose-built functioning library remaining. Together with its setting, the library forms one of the few remaining examples of an integrated building and landscape, as conceived by Birrell.
The office extension of the library is leased by a branch of Alcoholics Anonymous. At the time of writing this report the history of the Community Centre building is not known.
Statement of significance
Relevant assessment criteria
This is a place of local heritage significance and meets one or more of the local heritage criteria under the Heritage planning scheme policy of the Brisbane City Plan 2014. It is significant because:
Supporting images
L. & D. Keen Pty. Ltd. (photographers) for the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (Queensland Chapter),
‘Annerley Civic Centre, Queensland’, c.1955-1975,
John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
Brisbane City Council Department of Works (photographer),
'View of the outside of the Annerley Municipal Library, Queensland, ca. 1957',
John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
The photograph is stamped on the reverse "Brisbane City Council Dept. of Works Official Photograph".
(Description supplied with photograph)
Brisbane City Council Department of Works (photographer),
'Exterior view of the Annerley Library, Queensland, ca. 1957',
John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
The photograph is stamped on the reverse "Brisbane City Council Dept. of Works Official Photograph".
(Description supplied with photograph)
Brisbane City Council Department of Works (photographer),
'Interior view of the Annerley Library, Queensland, ca. 1957',
John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
The photograph is stamped on the reverse "Brisbane City Council Dept. of Works Official Photograph".
(Description supplied with photograph)
Interior view of the Annerley Library featuring the reading room, book shelves and reference desk. The Annerley Library was built in 1957 and featured the largest sheets of plywood veneer seen in Brisbane. It was the first municipal cultural building for Brisbane since 1930. (Description supplied with photograph)
References
-
Annerley Library and Community Centre Conservation Management Study
Citation prepared by — Brisbane City Council (page revised June 2022)