State Library of Victoria
State Library of Victoria
328 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Mon -
Thur 10am - 9pm, Fri - Sun 10am - 6pm
Closed on public holidays
Tel: (03) 8644 7000
To the best of White Hat’s knowledge, this event or location is
currently cancelled, postponed or suspended due to COVID-19 precautions. If in
doubt check
with the organiser or institution involved. White Hat will constantly monitor
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Joseph Reed's original design for the library
Reed's grander revised design
The
State Library in Swanston Street is always worth a visit, and
particularly since the refurbishment of the dome in the main reading room
has been completed.
Built in 1856, this is one of Melbourne's architectural treasures,
surrounded by lawns, terraces & statuary. Free introductory tours (Mon-Fri &
1st & 3rd Sat of the month 2pm) & a free Arts Video Program, showing opera,
classical concerts & art documentaries from the Library's extensive holdings
(Tue & Wed 12pm).
Out the front stands Melbourne's famous judge,
Sir Redmond Barry (of
Ned Kelly fame) trying to
preserve his dignity with a pigeon on his head and the remains of a museum
sinking into the footpath ahead of him. He deserves his place as he was one
of the original founders of this great public institution. Over the road at
the Working Men's College (now RMIT), another great Victorian benefactor,
Francis Ormond, must also feel a sense
of pride and bewilderment at the passing parade in the city that he helped
to shape.
Inside the library, you may be able to detect the small fossils in the
marble stairway. This helps remind us that this building originally served
as library, art gallery and museum.
The library buildings also contains the La Trobe Library - the important
historical Australian collection of books and manuscripts (see our
newsletter of 430 April 2004). It also contains two galleries - the
Keith Murdoch Gallery
and the Cowen Gallery.
Free one-hour tours are available: Mon-Fri 2pm, Sat 2pm (first and third
Saturday of the month) - 9669 9067
Also a free Arts Video Program showing opera, classical concerts and arts
documentaries from the Library's extensive holdings. (Tue & Wed 12pm)
Mon-Thur 10am-9pm, Fri-Sun 10am-6pm
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