Enjoy reading with a view? State Library of Victoria has plenty to offer!

 

Built in 1854, the State Library is one of Australia’s oldest libraries and one of the first free libraries in the world. The Domed Reading Room at the State Library was built in 1913 and contains over 32,000 books and 320 readers at their desks making it one of the most iconic buildings in Melbourne. This was renamed to La Trobe Reading Room in 2003 and now consists of 350,000 photographs, manuscripts, maps and newspapers with special focus on Victorian material. At the time of its construction the Dome was the largest concrete structure in the world. This stunning architectural feat is also home to bushranger and outlaw Ned Kelly’s original suit of armour which he he wore during his final shootout with the police and diaries of some of Melbourne’s historic founders. In addition to this, the library also consists of other material related to Ned Kelly. There are also other reading rooms such as Chess Reading Room, Redmond Barry Reading Room, Heritage Collections Reading Room, Arts Collection Reading Room, Genealogy Reading Room and Newspaper Reading Room.

 

In the front of the library’s entrance is a grassy lawn located on Swanston Street which is a popular lunch spot for the city’s workers and students and is also a common spot for protest meetings and is a rallying point for marches. Education programmes for communities and schools such as Reading Matters and library research fellowships are also provided by the State Library of Victoria. The library also houses the Centre for Youth Literature and Inside a Dog young adult fiction community. From 1994-2014 it managed the Vicnet community internet service. A speakers’ forum is held in the library forecourt every Sunday between 2:30pm to 5:30pm where orators have the opportunity to take turns and speak on varying subjects.

 

Opening hours: Monday to Thursday at 10am - 9pm and Friday to Sunday at 10am-6pm.

Cost: Entry is free

Location: The library is located in the northern centre of the central business district, on the block bounded by Swanston, La Trobe, Russell and Little Lonsdale streets, located near Melbourne Central Station in CBD.

Public transport: A 1 minute walk from Melbourne Central Railways Station. The Melbourne Central Station/State Library of Victoria Tram Stop (routes 1, 3, 3a, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67, 72) and the La Trobe St/Swanston St Stop (routes 30, 35 and the City Circle) are tram stops located just outside the Library.

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