Description

Opened to the public in 1856 and spanning an entire city block, State Library Victoria is Australia’s oldest public library and one of the first free public libraries in the world. Housing a combination of contemporary and historic spaces, the Library is brought together by 23 architecturally-designed buildings.

The Library is known for its collection, which began at 3,846 volumes and, over the past 168 years, has amounted to more than five million items, including books, manuscripts, serials, photographs, artworks, maps, ephemera and more.

The Library is constantly evolving, with an ambitious collection digitisation program, as well as events and exhibitions that reach new audiences every day.

What's On

Explore Australia's oldest public library and the third busiest library in the world. Located in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD and spanning an entire city block, State Library Victoria houses a combination of contemporary and historical spaces, from the original reading room in the Ian Potter Queen’s Hall to a children’s castle in the Pauline Gandel Children’s Quarter, combined with a dynamic calendar of events, bringing Melbourne’s culture and history to life.    
 
Wander through the Library’s bright and modern spaces from the Vision 2020 redevelopment, visit the iconic heritage reading rooms dating back to 1856, admire fascinating exhibitions, and uncover architectural treasures within the collections and spaces.  
 
Dive into the Library’s latest exhibition, Make Believe: Encounters with Misinformation, as it unpacks how misinformation has shaped life and culture. Explore the 20th anniversary of the Library’s most beloved exhibition, _World of the Book, _displaying over 300 rare items from the State Collection. 

Explore the world of mixed reality in the Dome with an artist talk and preview of the latest work from scientist and artist Yoyo Munk, the Library's inaugural Creative Technologist-in-Residence. 

For additional tours and events, visit State Library Victoria's What's on.