This Virtual requires you to visit both outside and inside the State Library of Queensland. It is well worth a visit and provided us with a welcome cool spot on a really hot day. You can catch a train (with a short walk to the Library), buses are aplenty or you could just walk to the Library after visiting lots of other things around Brisbane.
The State Library of Queensland preserves and shares knowledge of Queensland’s history, collecting materials that chronicle events, people, places and the ideas that shaped Queensland. It has provided library services to the people of Queensland for more than 100 years.
There is always something new and interesting at the Library and it is open 7 days a week (except for Public Holidays, so please check if it is open before you go).
As Level 1 is open an extra hour than levels 2 - 4, it is recommended that you visit the Library during the hours that all floors are open as you will be required to visit levels 2 and 3.
OPENING HOURS (at time of cache publish only, so please check):
Monday to Thursday: 9am to 8pm (level 1)
Monday to Friday: 10am to 8pm (all other levels)
Friday to Sunday: 9am to 5pm (level 1)
Friday to Sunday: 10am to 5pm (all other levels)
Some interesting and important dates that have formed the State Library into what it is today:
- In 1896 the Brisbane Public Library is established in William Street. The Library's collection, purchased by the Queensland Government from the private collection of Mr Justice Harding, is managed by a Board of Trustees chaired by Queensland's Chief Justice, Sir Samuel Griffith.
- In 1898 the Brisbane Public Library is renamed the Public Library of Queensland.
- In 1899 the Public Library of Queensland collection is catalogued using the Dewey Decimal Classification System (first use in an Australian library).
- In 1902 on 29 April, the Public Library of Queensland officially opens and its collections are made available to the public.
- In 1907 the Public Library of Queensland is first wired for electric power.
- In 1974 flood water from the Brisbane River destroys books at South Brisbane - with water rising to nearly two metres. Over 80% of the stock is damaged. The silt damage makes restoration impossible. Flood insurance payments (taken out only months before) help to establish a new subsidy scheme for small local authorities.
- In 2011, flood water from the Brisbane River breaches the basement and car park of the State Library building and the lower level of The Edge, necessitating the closure of the Library for 5 weeks. There is no damage to the Library’s collections.
At the Library, you can explore various things to see and do. You may want to utilise the Library’s family history resources and collections. You will find research guides to assist you in your search.
So that is a bit of background info on the Library and what it can do for visitors.
Looking For Clues - Robert Palmer
Regarding the cache title: "Looking for Clues" is a song by the late English vocalist Robert Palmer, released in 1980. We intially considered "Everyday I Write The Book" or "Read About It" before realising we were living in the past like cave dwellers and that the libraries that we grew up with, which only contained books and humourless schoolma'am-like librarians, no longer exist!
LOGGING REQUIREMENTS
At Waypoint One you will find a display that is set above ground level with no wording on it.
- Answer this question at this location:
- (Q1) In your own words, what does the display represent?
Waypoint Two is the main entrance to the Library (which is Level 1). Go inside and up to Level 2. Go to the book reference section on that floor.
Locate a book entitled "Brassey’s World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000 edition" by Michael J. H. Taylor (Reference 629.13334). Open the book to the hardback inside cover. Answer this question:
- (Q2) Under the heading “INSIGNIA” (on the right-hand page), what country’s name is listed under the insignia which is 9 across and 6 down on that page?
Now go up to Level 3. Answer this question:
- As you go through the doors on level 3, immediately to your right is a large glass display cabinet (note there are 2 cabinets, you are after the larger cabinet).
- (Q3) Please describe what is being highlighted inside this cabinet.
Feel free to log the cache when you have sent these answers to via Message Centre (or email); we will contact you only if we require clarification of your answers.
Virtual Rewards 2.0 - 2019/2020
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between June 4, 2019 and June 4, 2020. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 2.0 on the Geocaching Blog.