New Friends Lounge Opens
Jan Fullerton, Director-General of the Library, toasts the new Friends Lounge
The new Friends Lounge is located on Level 4
On Thursday 8 July 2010, some 160 Friends of the National Library gathered on Level 4 of the Library building to celebrate the opening of the new Friends Lounge. Corks were popped, champagne was poured and the Library’s Director-General, Jan Fullerton AO, christened the Lounge on behalf of Friends and Library staff. The Chair of the Friends Committee, Elizabeth Kennedy, thanked all those involved in the design and construction of the new Lounge.
A lounge dedicated to the members of the Friends was first opened on the Ground Floor in 1992. With the planned development of the new Treasures Gallery and temporary exhibition gallery, the opportunity has been taken to relocate the lounge to Level 4 and to enhance the amenities offered to the Friends as one of their benefits of membership.
The new lounge has impressive views over Lake Burley Griffin. To accommodate our growing Friends membership, the new lounge is also larger than the old one. The new Lounge includes ‘quiet areas’ and a dedicated eating space and, like the rest of the Library, provides free Wi-Fi access. Furnishings have been refreshed and digital prints of images from the Library’s adored Ellis Rowan Collection hang on the walls.
Response to the Lounge has been very positive, with Friends members enjoying the new, bright space. As Ms Fullerton noted at the opening of the Lounge, the Friends are wonderful supporters of the Library and it is a pleasure to be able to offer them something as beautiful as the new Lounge in acknowledgement.
Kathryn Favelle
Manager, Event Development



