Subiaco’s very own library – the Evelyn H. Parker Library – has received a facelift, with renovations to the exterior of the building completed.
A project to refurbish the exterior of our local library (spanning approximately two years with a six-month construction timeframe), has left the Evelyn H. Parker Library rejuvenated.
The library, which opened back in 1971, offers a wide range of services. Open seven days a week (except for public holidays), as well as offering a large number of books and items (including magazines, newspapers and DVDs) for members to borrow, the library features a meeting room, access to public computers and printers and is a host for numerous events.
However, after 50 years of servicing the Subiaco community, some attention was needed to bring the building back to its former glory. The restoration project commemorated the building’s 50th anniversary, and focused on addressing structural defects and rising damp, the installation of lighting and replacement of landscaping. White quartz stones were sourced for the exterior walls.
Subiaco Mayor David McMullen says the Evelyn H. Parker Library is not only a significant piece of heritage; it’s also a hub for our local community. “It’s a welcoming space for people of all ages to gather, learn, socialise, and spend time together,” he says. “What started out as a children’s library in Onslow Road in 1948 has evolved into this modern building that so many enjoy today. The proof is in the numbers – a whopping 1.4 million people have visited the library since July 2010, and as of today, the library has more than 7,000 members.
“The finished product leaves the library looking and feeling as fresh as it would have been the day it was opened, back in the 70’s. The restored exterior is characterised by a clean, sleek design; with the originally-intended elevations no longer obscured by ‘mistakes of the past’ – such as garden beds, which were removed because they not only altered the appearance of the building but were actually causing water damage. New lights help liven the area in the evening.
“Library patrons and the wider community appreciate that the local heritage in our Library has been brought back to life, and future proofed for more decades of service,” he adds.
“This restoration project would not have been possible without the dedication and commitment shown by City staff and Council; Dennis Silver, the original architect of the library; and current library architects Brandon Pratley, Philip Griffiths, and Matther Bonasera.”
A documentary about the restoration project can be viewed on the City of Subiaco’s YouTube channel.
Have you visited your local library recently? Check out the improvements to the exterior and rediscover all the Evelyn H. Parker Library has to offer.
237 Rokeby Road, Subiaco
08 9237 9300
subiacolibrary.wa.gov.au/library
