Have you noticed the eclectic facade? That belongs to RMIT Building 8, home to the Swanston Library. Completed in 1993 the building stands nine stories tall. It is an example of postmodern architecture.
The Swanston Library is not just a repository of books. It’s a central hub for RMIT University students. The Swanston Library is the largest site in the RMIT University Library network.
Before 1993 the main library was elsewhere. It was relocated to Building 8 and expanded. After that, it became known as the Swanston Library.
Step inside and you’ll find more than just books. The Swanston Library is located within RMIT Building 8. It shares space with the Student Union and schools of architecture. Interior design students and those studying fashion also frequent this building. You might even spot a mathematician.
The library boasts a collection of over 400000 volumes. It provides a wide range of resources for students and researchers. Do you need a quiet place to study? The Swanston Library has dedicated silent spaces. It is the only RMIT Library site open until midnight during part of the semester.
RMIT’s library system has a rich history. It began in 1890 as the library of the Working Men’s College of Melbourne. That college was an antecedent to RMIT. The original library was tiny. It was only housed in a small room with limited shelf space.
Alfred Hart managed the library from 1902 to 1930. He was a mathematics instructor. He was also a leading Shakespearean scholar.
In the 1930s, the library expanded. It moved beneath the public lecture theatre. World War I soldiers staffed it. This was part of a government re-skilling program.
By 1945, the library collections had outgrown their space. So, they split into specific field collections. In 1955, a central library was re-established. It was located in Building 6.
John Livingstone Ward became RMIT’s first chief librarian in 1956. As the campus grew, a second library site opened. In 1995 two more libraries were added. These were at the Bundoora campus. When RMIT annexed the Brunswick campus in 1999, that library joined the network too.
The Swanston Library isn’t the only library on the city campus. There is also the Carlton Library. Other RMIT Libraries are located at the Bundoora and Brunswick campuses. RMIT also has libraries in Vietnam. These are located at the Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi campuses.
The Swanston Library has a returns chute outside Building 8. It is off Swanston Street. Friendly library assistants are ready to help you inside.
The Swanston Library is more than just books and study spaces. It’s a vibrant part of RMIT’s history. It is a place of learning and discovery. The Swanston Library is a testament to RMIT’s commitment to education. It is housed within the architecturally significant Building 8. It is a hub for students and researchers alike.