State Library Victoria

I recently had the chance to visit the State Library Victoria in Melbourne, and let me tell you, it was an absolute delight. As someone who loves getting lost in a good book, I was immediately taken aback by the sheer scale of the place. It's massive! But not just big, it has this grand, old-world feel to it, with beautiful architectural details and these stunning reading rooms that feel straight out of a movie.

I spent hours just wandering around, browsing the shelves and soaking in the atmosphere. They have such an incredible collection, from historical documents to modern bestsellers, and everything in between. I even stumbled upon a special exhibit showcasing some of Australia's literary history, which was fascinating.

But beyond the books, what really struck me was the energy of the place. There were people of all ages and backgrounds, quietly reading, working on laptops, or attending talks and events. It felt like a true community hub, a space where everyone was welcome to learn, explore, and be inspired.

Overall, my visit to the State Library Victoria was an enriching and memorable experience. Whether you're a bookworm like me or simply someone who appreciates history and culture, I highly recommend checking it out. It's a true Melbourne gem.

State library of Melbourne very grand and beautiful inside. I was standing in awe of the preservation that goes into maintaining the table that each has a name to it and at the same time served as a museum exhibits while it is a fully functional library on the basement. I am very amazed on how they do that which is great.

I visited the Victoria Library last Saturday and was impressed with the extensive collection of books and resources available. The staff were helpful and knowledgeable, making it easy to navigate the library and find what I was looking for. The atmosphere was peaceful and conducive to studying or reading. I liked very much that they allocated sections for study and work with free and fast internet and free computers. It is really a wonderful gesture from the Victorian government. 💯👏

A must visit when in Melbourne, peaceful, quiet, historical, educational. Gorgeous historical building with lots of spaces to explore with a free exhibition. Always diverse group of people at the front of the building on benches, grass, playing chess. Awesome vibe. Loved Melbourne space.

State Library Victoria is a bookworm's paradise! 📚 The library vibes are a mix of old-school charm and modern comfort. You can get lost in the stacks, discover hidden nooks for reading, or just soak in the literary atmosphere. The majestic reading room is like Hogwarts for grown-ups, and the Dome is an Insta-worthy masterpiece. Whether you're a hardcore reader or just want a quiet escape, this place is a top pick. Grab a book, find a cozy spot, and let the reading adventures begin! 📖✨

I visited the State Library recently for a function in its Conversation Room. A beautiful function space with each wall a different style, creating quite a striking impression. Facilities are clean and nice.
The library space itself is beautiful, set under the huge dome. Green brass lamps and reading desks, plus books are free to access for a quiet read.
Climb the stairs for a magnificent view looking down into the library.😉

When visiting Melbourne, the State Library Victoria needs to be at the top of the list.
Australia's oldest library and one of the first free libraries in the world, this extensive and impressive building has been looking after the reading needs of Victorians for almost 170 years.
While there are many library and gallery spaces on the large site, the La Trobe Reading Room is truly the icing on the cake.
While many quietly study, you can explore the library shelves here and slowly make your way up to the very top of this huge domed space.
We were also fortunate to bump into Judy, the Philanthropy and Brand Manager as we were making our way around the reading room.
Here are some photos of our visit...
Do yourself a favour and spend some quiet time here.
We will be back soon :-)

The State Library is an iconic place to visit - even if you are not a bookworm! The architecture is absolutely stunning. We joined the free “World of Books” tour which contained many gems from around the globe. Our guide, Wendy, was extremely knowledgable and gave a brilliant tour. Plus the Lego version of the library is so cool. The detail is awesome!

Visited this beautiful library during my visit to Melbourne. No ticket needed, it’s completely free, which is a huge plus. Very accessible by trams or train (walking distance to the train station) with many shops and malls nearby.

They have small galleries inside, which is also beautiful. Other than sightseeing, you are also free to sit around and read the available books inside (which is a lot). Both the inside and the outside are beautiful and worth a snap.

Haven't been to a library in many years, was encouraged to go back by Instagram's the Library Grown Up. The architecture & dome is so beautiful from every angle, if you can climb up to the top, or take the lift for the view. Also don't miss Ned Kelly's armour on display. You can see the bullet marks that took him down.

Great place to get away from the crowds and have a rest or do some reading/study. They have all the old newspapers on microfilm going back to the 1800s. Lots of resources available here if you're into genealogy and want to trace your family background. There's also an art gallery and a reading room, study room, conference room, toilets etc.

I thought it was the most beautiful library in the world.
In addition, I envied the people who studied or read books in the library.
Even though there were many visitors, it was quietly and well maintained by guard.
If I had time, I also wanted to read the book.
The elevator to the top floor was a bit inconvenient because the waiting line was long.
As a country of immigrant origin, the Shakespeare stained glass was impressive.

Magnificent library with cavernous main section. Not sure if it's the best place to hit the books as it's teeming with tourists. The library is easily accessible as it's located along Swanston St and a stone's throw from CBD shops and RMIT.

Wow is the first word that I would use to describe this library.

It brings most others to shame.
There is just a huge place to read and get work done.
And there was even a hidden chess board where my partner and I had a intense game of chess before an onlooker came and told my partner she had mate in 2

Whilst in Melbourne, I visited the @library_vic to meet a friend. I had a look around the library and it’s a huge place to read, research and have quiet time. I was amazed to find historical artefacts of Ned Kelly including the coat, boots and guns used at the Siege of Glenrowan. It was also a good place for parents to meet since there’s a cafe and also a great kids zone, with heaps of books, building blocks and craft

It's one of my favorite places in the city. The building is fantastic, have services such as internet access, books, computers, and meeting rooms. It is a very quiet and cozy place, it is open every day from 10.00 a.m. to 06.00 p.m.

We visited this beautiful library and enjoyed our visit very much. Besides the dome area, there are several other library sections, including art exhibits. The dome area not only has grand architecture but also well used old chairs and tables. A must visit in Melbourne.

Visited the library on the 18th of Sept 2023. I am very impressed after learning that it was designed and built in 1856, and the great restoration done to modernize it, making it a great place to learn and visit.

You definitely need to visit the Dome. Simply fantastic design and the impressive dome and interior. You could walk up the stairs or lift to have a view of the dome and the reading areas.

A must visit venue while visiting Melbourne.

No tickets nothing, we simply walked in and the lady was really nice to guide us properly on where to start and that was an amazing library and loads to explore. If you’re a student or to work that’s your go! Cheers in advance

The State Library is an iconic spot to visit, appealing even to non-bookworms! Its architecture is truly stunning. We opted for the complimentary "World of Books" tour, which features gems from around the globe.

As you step into the Dome Reading Room, you find yourself in the State Library Victoria, established in 1854 as the Melbourne Public Library. Situated in Melbourne, it holds the distinction of being Australia's oldest public library and one of the initial free libraries globally.