The Parliament of Victoria document discusses: - The history of constructing Parliament House from 1851-1855, including deciding on the site and architects. - Architect Peter Kerr adapted the original design over 40 years, producing over 600 sketches and transforming the building in distinct stages. - The library wing was added in 1858-1860, connecting the two legislative chambers and impressing visitors with its design. - Though open to the public, the Parliament focuses on serving its members, with restricted areas and screening to ensure their safety, and a library designed to meet their research needs through specialized staff and an intranet.

1. Parliament of Victoria

2. Vestibule

3. History
• Victoria's first Legislative Council (1851-6) took
three decisions that profoundly influenced the
course and conduct of parliamentary democracy
in Victoria. It drafted a Constitution; it introduced
the Secret Ballot; it began the construction of
Parliament House.
This third decision was not easy. Arguments over
the best site in Melbourne for such a building
were intense. It was not until April 1854 that
Eastern Hill, the current Spring Street site, was
agreed upon.

4. Design History
• As importantly, it was not until December 1855 that Colonial
Engineer, Charles Pasley, handed responsibility for the design and
construction of a building for the new Parliament to two architects
in his office Peter Kerr and John George Knight. By 1853 a
Parliament House design competition had been held. The entries
were judged inadequate. As a result Pasley had himself produced
an ordinary design that had been accepted by the Legislative
Council.
• Kerr in turn adapted and significantly improved Pasley's work
transforming it. He laboured over his drawing board, working on
the building on and off for the next forty years. In the process he
produced more than 600 detailed sketches and designs, while his
colleague Knight managed the actual site construction.
• From this team effort emerged one of Melbourne's most dramatic
nineteenth century buildings constructed in distinct stages

5. Queens Hall

7. Queens Hall Ceiling

8. Legislative Council

11. Legislative Assembly

13. Library

14. No sooner were the Chambers complete than work began on the Library.
Construction of this eastern wing began in 1858 and was completed in
1860.
This had the effect of joining the two legislative chambers at the rear,
thereby forming a `U-shaped' building.
Visitors to the Library remarked on Kerr's rich architectural imagination;
on the impact of gas lights and tiers of books, curving staircases and a
central ten-sided table, on the interior dome of the centre chamber and
slanting light from the east-facing windows.
They were also impressed by the classical architectural detail found on
the east facade. Faced with sandstone and classical in allusion, it was the
first expression of Peter Kerr's plans for the entire building. Victorians
and their Members of Parliament were pleased.
No further construction took place for another 18 years. John George
Knight severed his contact with the Public Works Department, while
Peter Kerr contributed designs and drawings for such buildings as
Melbourne's Post Office and Government House.

17. Front Desk/ Reference Inquiries

18. Reading Table

19. Mace

20. Wood Heating

22. Library OPACS/ Intranet

23. Loan Inquiries

24. Library - Upstairs

28. Reading Room

30. Premiers’ Corridor

35. Strangers Corridor & Dining Room

36. Parliament of Victoria is open to public when members of parliament are not sitting,
however it is obvious what is most valued here is its parliamentary members.
Security screening ensures the safety of its members (my nail scissors were
confiscated during the site visit) and parts of the prestigious building are off limits
(the public/library staff may dine in the strangers corridor but are not permitted in
the dining room). The specialised library staff are employed to satisfy the requests
and demands of parliamentary members. Reference librarians are on hand to help
clarify information used in speeches, reports etc. The loans enquiries desk is manned
at all times.
The intranet is designed to be easy to navigate and meet the needs of its intended
clientele. An associate of mine is employed solely to upload relevant videos and
include a synopsis of these onto the intranet. Another library staff member is
employed in a similar role this time for uploading print material. Members of
parliament are able to access the intranet from the library and their office/s.

37. Newspapers are displayed and kept and made available so the elected members
of parliament can access the relevant news of the areas they represent (- see
slide 24).
The interiors of the Parliament building/s are impressive. ‘Classical decorations,
gold-leaf, columns, statuary, burgundy carpets and seating in the Legislative
Council, forest-green in the Legislative Assembly duplicating the Westminister
colours, added sophistication to an otherwise callow Melbourne. Its citizens
were overwhelmed’ (Parliament of Victoria, 2010). A rich and indulgent design
such as this illustrates that its users are of upmost importance. The library is
designed and staffed in such a way that its sole purpose is to fulfil the needs of
those most valued – the parliamentary members.
Areas still to explore: How many library staff are employed and what are their
specific roles. What qualifications and experience do the librarians possess?

38. Parliament Floor Plan