Objects of Substance – Historic Library Furniture

1965, Brisbane Girls Grammar Reference Library, the purpose-built maple bookcases in the background

Concerned that the historic furniture was being discarded, Mrs Cooke stood in front of the truck and insisted on first discussing the planned removal with Mr John Pietzner (BGGS Business Manager, 1986-2005). After some discussion, Mr Pietzner agreed to have the bookcase returned to the Western verandah and 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 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 ofthe Library Director, Mrs 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.