Post three

time line, Mitchell library
this info is compiled from information on the library website
Situated in Sydney’s CBD between the Royal Botanic Gardens and Parliament House on Macquarie Street, the State Library of New South Wales is internationally renowned and one of Australia’s leading libraries. It consists of the Mitchell Library, the Dixson Library, the Macquarie Street Wing and the State Reference Library. The Library houses and hosts extensive collections and exhibitions, as well as talks, tours and movies. To this end, the Library holds over 5 million items and aims to collect, preserve and make accessible the documentary heritage of NSW. Items include Abel Tasman’s journal of 1643–1647 and the earliest known photograph taken in Australia, the 1845 daguerreotype of Dr William Bland.

1826 the Australian Subscription Library opened.
In December 1827 operations began in rented premises in Pitt Street, and for the next two years the Library moved to George Street, then Bridge Street, Macquarie Street and Macquarie Place.
1845 it moved into its own new building on the corner of Bent and Macquarie Streets.
By 1869 the subscription library was hopelessly in debt, and the New South Wales Government was persuaded to buy it for £5100 (£1500 for the books and £3600 for the building).
1869 the Sydney Free Public Library opened its doors with a stock of 20 000 volumes.
1895 it was renamed the Public Library of New South Wales
1910 the Mitchell Library opened. David Scott Mitchell bequeathed his extensive collection of Australiana.
1929 the Dixon Wing was constructed. It houses an extensive collection of pictures, books, manuscripts, maps, coins, medals and stamps donated or bequeathed by Sir William Dixson.
1939 work began on the central portion of the building, which includes the portico, the ornate vestibule with its reproduction of the Tasman Map in marble mosaic, and the main reading room.
1942 the Library was under one roof.
1964 the final section of the sandstone Mitchell Wing was added to the south east corner.
1975 it became the State Library of New South Wales.
1988 the Macquarie Street Wing opened