State Library Victoria

There are a number of ways you can get in contact:
1) Call the VenueNow team on 1300 647 488 during business hours AEST
2) Contact the VenueNow team via our online chat in the bottom right of the screen
3) Submit an enquiry via the form on the page

The VenueNow team usually reply within a few hours during Australian business.

There are a few steps involved in booking an event at State Library of Victoria and the VenueNow team are here to do the heavy lifting for you.

Firstly, contact the VenueNow team by submitting an enquiry or speaking to one of our team members online or over the phone. We'll need to collect a few details from you, such as your:
- Event type
- Number of people attending
- Preferred event date & time (and if this is flexible)
- Budget (per person or total)
- Room layout
- Food and beverage / catering requirements
- Any other requirements

Once we've gathered these details, the VenueNow team will contact the team at State Library of Victoria to check:
1) Can they host the event on your preferred date / time? If not, what are some alternate dates / times?
2) What is the estimated cost based on your event requirements?

This process tends to take around 1 business day on average to receive a response from the venue. Once we've received a response, the VenueNow team will contact you as soon as possible.

If you're happy with the proposed price and dates / times, the VenueNow team will connect you with State Library of Victoria to finalise your booking (which may include a site visit if you choose to do so).

VenueNow provides this service free of charge to you as we are paid a small fee by State Library of Victoria if you book via us.

The best way to find out if State Library of Victoria is available for your event date is to send an enquiry through or get in contact with one of VenueNow's Event Booking Experts.

Availability at many venues around the country is limited so if your date is flexible, please let the VenueNow team know and the venue may be able to provide a range of dates that suit your needs.

The following types of events can be held at State Library of Victoria:
- Trivia Night
- University Ball
- Wedding
- Workshop
- Meeting
- 21st Birthday Party
- 30th Birthday Party
- 40th Birthday Party
- 50th Birthday Party
- Christening
- Birthday Party
- Trade Show
- Seminar
- School Formal
- Product Launch
- AGM
- Awards Dinner
- Bar Mitzvah
- Cocktail Party
- Conference
- Corporate Function
- Corporate Offsite
- End of Financial Year Party
- Engagement Party
- Function
- Gala Dinner
- Networking Event
- Christmas Party
- Bat Mitzvah
- Bridal shower
- Ceremony
- Private Dining
- 18th Birthday Party
- Exhibition
- Training
- Baby shower

If your specific event type is not on the list, contact one of VenueNow's Event Booking Experts and they will check if State Library of Victoria is able to facilitate your event or will help you find an alternate venue.

Please enquire for pricing and availability.

This may be subject to change due to seasonality, day of the week, duration and your specific requirements. For an accurate quote for your event please send an enquiry or contact one of VenueNow's Event Booking Experts.

Parking

There are three two-hour disability-permit parking spaces on La Trobe Street, outside Mr Tulk.

There are two two-hour disability-permit parking spaces on Little Lonsdale Street, between Swanston and Russell streets (outside the Wheeler Centre).

Wheelchair access

Swanston Street Welcome Zone: use the ramp at La Trobe Street, near the corner of Swanston Street.

Russell Street Welcome Zone: use Entry 5 via La Trobe Street, near the corner of Russell Street.

Conference Centre and Village Roadshow Theatrette: access via Entry 3 on La Trobe Street.

Cafes: visit our pop-up cafe via Entry 5, La Trobe Street. Enter Mr Tulk via the ramp at La Trobe Street, Entry 2.

Courtesy wheelchair

A courtesy wheelchair is available for visitors attending Library events and exhibitions. Please note that we are unable to provide staff to push wheelchairs. To book or make further inquiries, contact the Access and Inclusion Librarian at 8664 7005 or email accessinclusion@slv.vic.gov.au.

Moving within the Library

Lifts provide access to the Gateway Zone and Cowen Gallery, The Ian Potter Queen's Hall, Dome Galleries, Redmond Barry Reading Room (except the mezzanine – please ask staff for assistance), La Trobe Reading Room and Heritage Collections Reading Room.

Accessible toilets

There are separate male and female-accessible toilets in these Library spaces:

-Hansen Hall, just near the entrance to Mr Tulk, in the Swanston Street Welcome Zone on Level 2 (ground floor)

-Gateway, Level 2 (ground floor), adjacent to the lifts

-Russell Street Welcome Zone, via Entry 5 on La Trobe Street

-The Ian Potter Queen's Hall

-The Children's Quarter, Level 2 (ground floor), has joint facilities for carers and children.

Assistive technology workstations

The Library has two dedicated assistive technology workstation zones for visitors with vision, mobility, literacy or cognitive requirements. 

These are located in the Quad Information Centre on Level 2 (ground floor), and the Redmond Barry Reading Room, Level 2A.

For more information, call the Access and Inclusion Librarian on 8664 7005 or speak to staff in the Cowen Gallery or Quad Information Centre when you arrive. 

Assistive Technology Zone in the Quad

Two large-screen computers on height-adjustable workstations offer assistive software:

-screenreading: NVDA and Jaws (as part of Zoomtext Fusion)

-text to speech: Zoomtext Fusion

-literacy: Read and Write

-voice recognition: Read and Write

-magnification: Zoomtext fusion

-scanning text to speech: Pearl camera and OpenBook software.

You can choose an alternative keyboard option such as Large Keys (black on yellow) and an alternative mouse option, including a trackball or joystick.

There is also a desktop video magnifier for reading books and documents.

Assistive Technology Zone in Redmond Barry Reading Room

Two large-screen computers, one is on a height-adjustable workstation. There are alternative keyboard options like Large Keys (black on white) and an alternative mouse option, including trackball or joystick.

-screenreading: NVDA and Jaws

-text to speech: Zoomtext Fusion

-literacy: Read and Write

-magnification: Zoomtext Fusion

-scanning text to speech: Pearl Camera and OpenBook software.

There is also a desktop magnifier for reading books and documents. 

Reading assistance tools

Book rests, magnifying sheets, illuminated magnifiers and magnifying glasses for readers with low vision are available in the Redmond Barry Reading Room and Quad Information Centre.

Please ask the staff in the area for assistance if required. 

Free wi-fi and PCs

Wi-fi is freely available throughout the Library. Simply choose the State Library Victoria network to connect.

Computers for general use, including internet browsing, are available in the Quad Information Centre on Level 2 (ground floor). Bookings for these may be made on the PC reservation computer nearby.

Extended access may be available for Library users with a disability, where necessary. Please see staff in the Quad Information Centre or the Cowen Gallery for assistance.

For more information, visit Wi-fi & PCs.

Library events & tours

The Library offers free guided tours of permanent and temporary exhibitions. Portable hearing loop units are available for visitors attending tours who are hard of hearing. To borrow a unit, please inquire in the Welcome Zone, or at the tour meeting point.

Venues & spaces with permanent audio-hearing loops

-Village Roadshow Theatrette

-Ian Potter Queen’s Hall

-Hansen Hall

-Digital lab and Study room – both in Create Quarter

-Pauline Gandel Children’s Quarter

-Ideas Quarter mezzanine

-Create Quarter.

We can provide temporary hearing loops for our other event venues. For unbooked events, inquire, as above.

Companion card

If you require support from a companion and qualify for a Companion card, that person will receive free entry to any paid Library events on presentation of that card.

If you book a ticket over the phone, please let us know that you require a Companion ticket.

More information

-Access and Inclusion Librarian

The Access and Inclusion Librarian is available to assist visitors with disability and their carers. In addition, the Access and Inclusion Librarian can provide information and referrals to other agencies that may be of assistance to people with accessibility needs.

-National Relay Service

Contact us through the National Relay Service: for accessibility inquiries, ask for 8664 7005 to speak to the Access and Inclusion Librarian. for all other inquiries, ask for 8664 7002.

Established in 1854 as the Melbourne Public Library, State Library Victoria is Australia's oldest public library and one of the first free public libraries in the world. Today, it offers event and exhibition spaces, collections, programs and services to the public.

This public space provides a range of accessible features in its venues:

-11 Unique Event Spaces

-Wide collection of books

-Original heritage features

-Capacity for over 1000 guests

-Easily accessible via public transport

-Historical significance, originally built in 1854

-Combination of Reading Rooms, Galleries & Halls

-Showtime Event Group is the exclusive event partner of the Library

-Situated on an entire city block between Russel & Swanston Streets

This cultural institution is located at 328 Swanston Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia.