Architecture
The library is Harrison's only surviving building and the first Greek Revival building in the city. The interior was inspired by John Soane. It has a rectangular plan and is constructed in sandstone ashlar on a corner site at 57 Mosley Street. It has two storeys and a basement and attic. Its facade on Mosley Street has a three-bay pedimented loggia with four Ionic columns set slightly forward and steps between the columns. Under the loggia are two entrance doors and three square windows at first floor level.
The Charlotte Street facade has an entrance into the loggia with a square window above and another on the first floor. A five-bay colonnade of Ionic semi-columns has a tall sashed windows on the ground floor in each bay and square window above them at first floor level. The attic storey is behind a pilastered parapet. In the original building the reading room was on the ground floor and the library occupied a gallery. A ceiling was inserted at gallery level in about 1920.
Read more about this topic: Portico Library
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