1972-2012: Facts and figures at a glance
Floor plans for Robertson Library  

Floor plans for 1972, 1992, and 2012 show the layout, facilities and location of services when the Robertson Library first opened, immediately following the major extensions, and in the 40th anniversary year of the building.

Floor plans of level two

  
1972Floor plan of level two, 1972

In 1972, Library technical services and systems staff were located on level two which also accommodated the bindery and reprographics (copying) services, as well as some collections and client areas.

1992Floor plan of level two, 1992

In 1992, the main entry to the Library moved from level three to level two where the loans desk, reserve, microform and newspaper collections were located. Technical services staff remained on this level also.

The coffee shop moved from level three and the refurbished Bookmark cafe provided a welcoming front face to patrons entering the building.
2012Floor plan of level two, 2012 In 2012, the integrated enquiry point on level two incorporated both the loans and reference services.

The reference and reserve collections, the Lounge@your library, the iZone and a range of client spaces were all on this entry level.

Floor plans of level three

1972Floor plan of level three, 1972



When it opened in 1972, the Library had three public entrances on level three, so it effectively had no back or front.

An arcade ran through the middle of level three, providing access to the Bookmark coffee shop, library administration, and student lockers without the need to enter the reading room space, which had a turnstile entry and exit.

The loans and reference desk were on this ‘shop-front’ level as were the reference collection, the card catalogues, and the new book and journal displays.

1992Floor plan of level three, 1992 In 1992, information services staff and the information desk were on level three in easy reach of the reference, government publications and legal collections which moved from level four.

The space on level three vacated by the original coffee shop became a large seminar/lecture room for library education sessions and other activities.

The CDROM area, later branded as the Electronic Information Centre, provided an ever-growing number of computer workstations where clients accessed journal indexing databases.

The loans desk shown in the plan was closed later in the year and all loans services were conducted at the new loans desk on level two..

2012Floor plan of level three, 2012

In 2012, level three accommodated computer workstations for clients, a laptop lounge, a training room, the equity room and express computers, as well as the newspaper collection and some casual and booth seating.

Floor plans of level four

1972Floor plan of level four, 1972

In 1972, the collection and reading areas were intermingled on level four, with book shelving being used to break up large areas into smaller, more intimate spaces.

Books and journals were separately shelved, at right angles but adjacent, keeping subject disciplines together.

Spaces for offices and 'talker' rooms, as well as a seminar room and lounge area were on this level.
1992Floor plan of level four, 1992 In 1992, the arrangement of shelving had changed markedly. The plan also shows the location of self-service photocopiers, and a number of seminar and study rooms.
2012Floor plan of level four, 2012 In 2012, the collections were shelved in areas designated as books, microform or journals. Level four also accommodated a meeting/presentation room, group study rooms and a silent zone.

Floor plans of level five

1972Floor plan of level five, 1972

In 1972, collections and client spaces were intermingled on level five, which also accommodated a lounge, seminar room and small offices.

The Department of Library Studies occupied some of this floor space.
1992Floor plan of level five, 1992

In 1992, the collections were arranged into blocks of books, bound journals (in the newly installed compactus shelving), and current journals.

Along with a seminar room and study rooms, level five accommodated the University's Computer Managed Learning (CML) Laboratory.
2012Floor plan of level five, 2012 In 2012, level five housed book, audiovisual and the Teaching Resources collections, as well as group study rooms, a study room for Vice Chancellor's List, staff and postgraduate students, and a silent zone.

Floor plans of level six

1972

Level six floor plan, 1972

 In 1972, level six housed book and journal collections intermingled with client spaces, the audiovisual collection and equipment, and a number of 'talker' rooms and group study rooms.

A lecture room was also on this level.
1992Floor plan of level six, 1992 In 1992, collections were shelved as books, current journals, and bound journals (in compactus shelving).

Level six also provided photocopiers, study rooms and a seminar room.
2012Floor plan of level six, 2012 In 2012, level six accommodated book collections, group study rooms (including some with computers), a training room, a wired laptop room, individual study rooms, and a silent zone.

Floor plan of rooftop level

1972Rooftop level, 1972

The rooftop level housed the plant room, a number of offices and the Library staff room. While facilities have been upgraded over the years, the layout of this level has remained relatively unchanged.

 
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