StateLibrary

The State Library of Victoria is found at 328 Swanston Street, Melbourne and is open Monday-Thursday 10am-9pm and Friday-Sunday 10am-6pm. It is the largest reference and research library in Victoria. It is a non borrowing library, but anyone can go there to read and study. It was designed by Joseph Reed, who also designed the Exhibition Building. The first Library building leaked and over the years there has been a lot of redevelopment, but the front of the building still looks like Reed's design.

Click here to watch the video of The State Library.

The State Library started running in 1856. The books are kept in stacks and you have to find out the reference for the book you are after and then fill in a call slip so the librarians can find the book for you. This takes approximately twenty minutes.

The library used to be a museum and a gallery and there is a lot of art work and historical features inside and around the building in the form of murals, paintings, statues and a marble stairwell.

This is a picture of the State Library.

You can cut out and make a 3d model of it.

The State Library is the oldest library in Melbourne. There are five levels in the library and many different areas. Some of the main rooms are The Foyer, The Queen's Hall, The Domed Reading Room (known as The Dome) and some information centres.

The Domed Room

"The Dome" opened in 1913 and is the main reading room. The architect of the dome was Norman G. Peebles. The room is 34.75 metres high and wide and is built of reinforced concrete and brick. The dome was originally lit by skylights, but because the dome leaked, it was covered over with copper sheathing.