FILM AUSTRALIA COLLECTION

HAS Canberra. VS Exterior National Library at different times of day and angles. Yachts on Lake Burley Griffin. Different buildings composing of the National Library prior to completion of new building. Film Division, women carrying cans. Sign Clearing Centre and other signposts. VS Plans and models. May 1964 foundations being laid. Construction workers, cranes, cement mixers. Time-lapse photographs showing stages of construction.

31 March 1966 Prime Minister Harold Holt making speech on occasion of the laying of the foundation stone. Introduces former Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies. Menzies speech. Unveiling of foundation stone.

Construction of National Library after the laying of foundation stone March 1966. Good shots of scaffolding. Builders at work including welding, man in suit with helmet. VS building under construction. Crane, cement, facing. Whole building under scaffolding. Slab covering building laid and roof. Glass windows fitted using suction pads. Window detail. Facade.

Exterior National Library. Paving around building laid. Bare chested workmen. Artist Leonard French and others making and fitting stained glass panels. Interior entrance and mezzanine gallery under construction. Exterior. Columns outside being finished. Steps to Library . Twin fountains being prepared and tested, granite hand rail outside building positioned. Interior shots showing final preparations including laying of carpet.

Exterior National Library. National Capital Development Commissioner Sir John Overall formerly hands building over to Richard Kingsland, Secretary of the Department of the Interior who then hands key to Chairman of Library Council, Sir Granville Price. Sculptor Tom Bass preparing and positioning piece above front door. (phonetic only) Ext Library, Lake Burley Griffin.

Trolleys laden with boxes pushed through library. Books put on shelves. Air conditioning room. Steps polished. Matthieu Mattigeau (phonetic) tapestries. Leonard French's stained glass panels. General Reference Room. Colonnades outside. Exterior including fountains. Pan from colonnade to Lake Burley Griffin and city. Exterior. 15 August 1968 official opening, Prime Minister John Gorton arrives, makes speech.