Kathleen Syme Library and Community Centre

Architect: Reed and Barnes 1859, Bates Smart and McCutheon 1977, Croxon Ramsay 2015

City of Melbourne | C09

Building Description

A $15.5 million restoration has transformed the 140-year-old Kathleen Syme building in Carlton into the local community’s key location for learning and creativity. Formerly the Faraday Street State School, its design was said to be modelled on the University Museum in Oxford. Similar schools in Victoria modelled after this design are situated in Castlemaine, Golden Point and Hamilton. The building is home to a comprehensive library, as well as learning and training rooms with a computer lab, a recording studio, meeting rooms, community activity spaces, a café and free Wi-Fi. Externally, the restoration remained faithful to the building’s original architecture, however behind the stunning Victorian-era Gothic Revival façade is a modern, welcoming and accessible centre where all members of the community can read, connect, learn, and create. In a nod to the building’s former life as a state school, the Kathleen Syme Library and Community Centre is now open for learning.

What's On

The library, community areas and meeting rooms (if unbooked) are open for visiting

Location