![Barnett Johnston, 1832-1910, photographer. [Queen's Hall Reading Room, Melbourne Public Library, 1859] Albumen silver photograph. H4322. La Trobe Picture Collection. This photograph was taken at the request of Sir Redmond Barry, present at its capture - a fact that unnerved the photographer. While purporting to show members of the public using the Library, it actually depicts Augustus Tulk the Chief Librarian sitting at the end of the table, with his assistants as well as some workmen employed on the building all posing as readers. At the time of the photograph's execution, the South wing of The Queen's Hall had just been completed, hence the presence of the workmen. It was not until 1864 that the North wind was constructed, thus completing The Queen's Hall to its present form. [photograph]](latrobe-72-016a.jpg)
Barnett Johnstone, 1832–1910, photographer. [Queen's Hall Reading Room, Melbourne Public Library, 1859] Albumen silver photograph. H4322. La Trobe Picture Collection. This photograph was taken at the request of Sir Redmond Barry, present at its capture — a fact that unnerved the photographer. While purporting to show members of the public using the Library, it actually depicts Augustus Tulk the Chief Librarian sitting at the end of the table, with his assistants as well as some workmen employed on the building all posing as readers. At the time of the photograph's execution, the South wing of The Queen's Hall had just been completed, hence the presence of the workmen. It was not until 1864 that the North wing was constructed, thus completing The Queen's Hall to its present form.
