South Australia’s State Library has claimed second spot on a global ranking of the most beautiful libraries in the world, with its Victorian counterpart also booking a spot in the top 10.
Global literary tourism initiative “1000 Libraries” placed the State Library of SA ahead of rivals in Germany, France, Austria, Switzerland and England’s University of Oxford in its 2025 awards.
Trinity College Dublin topped the honours board, claiming first prize, with the State Library Victoria finishing a more-than-creditable seventh.
Trinity College Dublin topped the list of libraries. (Supplied: Third Hemisphere/Christopher Hill Photographic)
State Library of South Australia director Megan Berghuis said while the library’s Mortlock Wing was renowned for its beauty, and that locals had “always known how special the place is”, it was pleasing to see it recognised.
“For us, it’s just the most gorgeous building that has a French Renaissance style,” she said.
“It’s what a lot of people refer to as the ‘Harry Potter library’.
“It’s got soaring galleries, intricate ironwork and beautiful natural light through the glass roof, so it creates an atmosphere that people just love.”
The Mortlock Wing is renowned for its “renaissance style”, the library’s chief said. (Supplied: Third Hemisphere/Ray Warren Creative)
Ms Berghuis said what was now the Mortlock Wing first opened in 1884 and originally accommodated the museum and art gallery.
“It’s a place where people come, they study, they visit, they come from overseas to see it,” she said.
“For Australia to have two internationally-recognised libraries in that top 10 ‘most beautiful libraries in the world’ is significant. It’s really wonderful for the two of us to be on that list.”
The iconic La Trobe Reading Room at the State Library Victoria. (Supplied: Third Hemisphere/Igor Prahin)
SA history enthusiast Keith Conlon said the library was the jewel in the crown of Adelaide’s cultural centre on North Terrace.
“There, smack in the middle is this beautiful building with a fascinating past and with a very important role particularly in its early days,” he said.
Mr Conlon said it was a long-standing symbol of Adelaide as a “cultured city”.
“It’s one of those permanent structures that says, ‘we’ve been doing this for a long time’,” he said.
Duke Humfrey’s Library at the Old Bodleian Library at the University of Oxford. (Supplied: Third Hemisphere/Li Ying)
The building has been known by several names, including the Public Library and the Jervois Wing.
Mr Conlon said it became known as the Mortlock Wing to honour a significant bequest from the Mortlock family in 1979, who owned the well-known Martindale Hall in SA’s Clare Valley.
He said the French Renaissance design of the building was rare in SA and the building continued to be revered for its beauty.
“Now it’s a place for functions, for meetings, it’s still used a lot by students,” he said.
The Mortlock Chamber is currently undergoing renovations to replace the carpets but is expected to reopen in September.