a number of halls were built in 1866 for the intercolonial exhibition of australasia just behind the front wing; meant to be temporary, they remained in use until 1909, when work began on the library's famed domed reading room, began. opened in 1913, it was designed by bates, peebles and smart, the successor to joseph reed's firm, now known as bates smart. in 1959, the dome's skylights were covered in copper sheets due to water leakage, creating the dim atmosphere that characterised the library for decades.