State Library Victoria
328 Swanston Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Library
•Why you'll love State Library Victoria
- Features incredible event spaces in Australia's oldest and most impressive Library.
- With a meticulously restored heritage design, ceiling skylights, letting natural light flood in.
- With AV facilities and events catering.
State Library Victoria is without a doubt one of the most recognisable landmarks in Melbourne – recently having just undergone an incredible $88.1 redevelopment. Restoring and reopening spaces within the Library, some of which have been closed for over a decade. It is one of the most ambitious projects the Library has undertaken and has resulted in some of Melbourne’s most historic and captivating spaces now available for events. These beautiful spaces include the grand Ian Potter Queen’s Hall, restored to its former 1850s architectural features and paint scheme, as well as fully equipped conference areas like the Conversation Quarter, fitted with state-of-the-art A/V and broadcast technology. The spectacular La Trobe Reading Room, the grand Melbourne stalwart leads something of a double life as an elegant function venue.
This modern update to the State Library opens up a world of event possibilities with the combined use of multiple areas for large-scale programs, multi-space conferences and festival concepts. A true events hub, located in the middle of Melbourne’s central business district. The new Library is an events precinct unparalleled by location, facilities, style and history with beautiful heritage interiors and modern amenities. The library houses a wide range of function spaces and break-out spaces. State Library Victoria has hosted conferences, weddings, opulent dinners, effective workshops, unique launches and countless corporate presentations. It's not difficult to see why, with the high ceilings, old-world sophistication, wooden floorboards and artwork found throughout the venue's many spaces.
Reviews for State Library Victoria
Dr Alex
A Grand & Iconic Institution, Though Its Heartbeat is Changing The Victoria State Library remains an architectural and intellectual landmark that absolutely deserves a visit. The grand Domed Reading Room is breathtaking, the historic galleries are fascinating, and the atmosphere in the quieter sections is still one of deep reverence for learning. The free exhibitions are consistently well-curated and informative, offering a genuine dose of culture and history. My four-star rating reflects a slight, personal reservation about its evolving public role. While it remains a vital resource for students and researchers, the library's main halls have undeniably recent visit, a significant portion of the crowd was there primarily to "Da Ka" (take photos) and capture Instagram content, often with elaborate posing in the beautiful spaces. While it's wonderful that people appreciate the building's beauty, the quiet hum of study and discovery now competes with the soft chatter of photo directions and the constant, subtle presence of phones and cameras. It can feel less like a hall of knowledge and more like a spectacularly beautiful set. That said, this is more an observation on modern tourism than a critique of the library itself, which continues to offer incredible value. Just be prepared for a bustling, photogenic crowd in the iconic areas. For a truly quiet experience, you need to seek out the less famous reading rooms. It’s still a must-see in Melbourne, whether you come for the books, the exhibitions, or simply to witness its stunning grandeur.
Jordan Makbu
Such an amazing and beautiful place that I'm thankful I stumbled upon. The building itself is ornate, beautiful, and something to admire, but I found it a very calming and interesting place to roam around for a couple of hours. There are work spaces for students or teachers to read and study, but also galleries, exhibitions, and rotating arts on display. I'd highly recommend dropping in while visiting Melbourne.
W M
My friend took me to the SLV, which is said the most beautiful library in the Southern Hemisphere. Built in 1854, it's in the Neoclassical style. Its exterior is magnificent and imposing. The La Trobe Reading Room is a masterpiece of domed architecture. The interior decoration blends historical and modern elements, possessing both a 19th-century retro atmosphere and maintaining functionality. It reportedly houses over 2 million books, covering art, history, literature, science, and many other fields, including rare ancient books, manuscripts, maps, and newspaper archives such as 19th-century colonial-era documents. In the upstairs, there are quiet study areas, group discussion rooms, and comfortable lounge areas, catering to both study and relaxation needs. Free Wi-Fi and power outlets are available, makes it very friendly to students and remote workers, you can easily spend the whole day there with a coffee.
BA
Ashtonishing library! •one of the most beautiful libraries Ive seen! •amazing architecture and interior arrangements •very huge! You can spend whole day browsing and exploring the place •dome is really very pretty! •lots of seating options, with charging docks •children’s area is also very well-organized and nicely structured
Andri Senjaya
State Library Victoria is an iconic place that you must visit in Australia. The museum is free to enter and not too crowded, making it very comfortable to explore. The building is beautiful, and the atmosphere is calm and enjoyable. Highly recommended when you are in Melbourne.
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