Library Furniture

It was originally thought that the maple bookcase was the one referred to in the 1933 School magazine as “a fine bookcase was bequeathed to Girls Grammar in 1933 by Lieutenant-Colonel Plant in memory of his daughter, Mrs Fin(d)lay. It was first housed in the ‘Main Hall’ of the Main Building and contained some of the Colonel’s own collection, as well as the library collection which had been rapidly expanding following Sophia Beanland’s bequest of £500 in 1925.” (Brisbane Girls Grammar School, 1933) However, more research is necessary to confirm which bookcase was bequeathed by LtCol Plant. When that 1958 building was demolished to make way for a much larger library in 1975, the maple bookcase was not included in the furniture of the more modern library. It seems to have been put in storage and fallen into disrepair. However, in the 1980s, two young resource teachers Kristine Cooke (nee Harvey 1967) and Anne Farley noticed the bookcase being loaded onto a truck outside the Western Wing.

1967 Brisbane Girls Grammar Reference Library the purpose-built maple bookcases in the background.

Concerned that the historic furniture was being discarded, Ms Cooke stood in front of the truck and insisted on first discussing the planned removal with John Pietzner (BGGS Business manager 1986 – 2005). After some discussion, Mr Pietzner agreed to have the bookcase returned to the Western verandah and he organised a valuation of the piece. When he discovered the value of the bookcase, Mr Pietzner promptly changed his mind and had the old library bookcase restored and then temporarily housed in the Deputy Principal’s office. (Cooke, 2023) It was wonderful then to have the maple bookcase (valued at $8000 in 2003) take pride of place in the latest location of the Beanland Memorial Library in 2015 under the care of the library’s Director, Ms Kristine Cooke (Director of Library and Information Services 1996 – 2022) and it is fitting that it should hold the treasured book-prizes from Grammar girls past.