The State Library of Victoria is a cultural landmark that houses an incredible amount of books, as well as several exhibitions and galleries.
The library was established in 1856 and is a grand presence on Swanston Street, with interior spaces to match. The La Trobe Reading Room is a six-storey-high domed room that is magnificent to look at. Beautiful artworks depicting Victoria’s history are exhibited in the Cowen Gallery for visitors to peruse. North and south rotundas and the Keith Murdoch gallery also hold exhibitions and artworks.
The library offers everything needed for a productive work day – free wifi, printing services and plenty of seating options (our pick is the aforementioned La Trobe Reading Room). Along with books and artworks, the State Library houses thousands of heritage items, maps, manuscripts and newspapers. Digital material is also available for readers to access. And all of this is free.
You will find people lounging on the lawns in front of the library on a sunny day, while various cafes are located close by to fuel the visitors with delicious treats. The Readings bookshop located inside the library gives them plenty to spend their money on.