Alert

Dome levels 4 and 5 will be closed to the public from Monday 13 May to Friday 24 May. Visit our refreshed World of the Book exhibition from Saturday 25 May.

What's on

Looking for something fun to do, with a cultural twist? Take a look at our events and exhibitions! We host all kinds of talks, workshops, films, guided tours and more, for audiences across all age groups, including families. Our events help you get to know our amazing collections and tell the story of Victoria's history. Many events – including our exhibitions – are free.

Featured events & exhibitions

All events & exhibitions

Daily

Wander

Wander through the weird and wonderful history of the Library at your own pace with our new digital tour!

Cost: Free

Daily

Beyond the Book: A Digital Journey through the Emmerson Collection

Explore a treasure trove of rare books and thrilling tales from British history.

Cost: Free

Online

Daily

Solace

Escape the bustle of the city with a meditative, multi-sensory experience inspired by State Library Victoria’s rooms, corridors and quiet corners.

Cost: Free

Daily

Nikon-Walkley Press Photography Exhibition

See the year's best photos that have captured stories of triumph and everyday life, now on display at the Library.

Cost: Free

Daily

Ned Kelly’s Armour

This display reveals why Ned Kelly remains a subject of fierce debate and interest, and challenges you to question your own assumptions.

Cost: Free

Daily

beruk

An exhibition celebrating the life and legacy of William Barak.

Cost: Free

Daily

Melbourne Out Loud: Life through the lens of Rennie Ellis

Discover iconic, unseen and everyday photographs from one of Melbourne’s greatest chroniclers. From famous faces to famous places, Rennie Ellis captured it all.

Cost: Free

Daily

History of the Library Tour

Discover the fascinating history of State Library Victoria and explore some of its many iconic spaces.

Cost: Free

16 May 2024, 10:30am–12:00pm

Dome to Catacombs Tour

Discover the secret spaces in Australia's oldest public Library with a fascinating behind-the-scenes tour. 

Cost: Free

16 May 2024, 5:00pm–5:30pm

Studio 4 Induction

Join us for a free, insightful group induction to get you started using Studio 4.

Cost: Free (must become a Library member)

18 May 2024, 1:00pm–3:00pm

Nocturnal Creatures: Craft Drop-in

Create your own nocturnal creature in this creative craft drop-in workshop, inspired by Jess Racklyeft's book, Bush.

Cost: Free

20 May 2024, 10:30am–11:00am

Toddler Tales

Bring your toddler to a session filled with stories, songs and rhymes.

Cost: Free

20 May 2024, 11:30am–12:00pm

Baby Bounce

Join us for a fun, interactive session of stories, songs and rhymes.

Cost: Free

20 May 2024, 12:00pm–12:30pm

StartSpace Tours

Join us for a free tour of the Library's ideal spaces to kickstart your business journey!

Cost: Free

21 May 2024, 10:00am–11:00am

Your Library Online: Law Resources At State Library Victoria

Join us for a special Victorian Law Week webinar on how to find and use the Library's online law resources.

Cost: Free

Online

21 May 2024, 5:30pm–6:15pm

Members Exclusive: New Acquisitions Viewing

Join our collection experts and be one of the first to view our newest acquisitions in these exclusive member viewings.

Cost: Free

members only

22 May 2024, 10:30am–11:00am

Storytime

Share the delight of stories, songs, play and craft activities with your pre-schooler.

Cost: Free

22 May 2024, 11:00am–12:00pm

Studio 2 Induction

Join us for a free, insightful group induction to get you started using Studio 2.

Cost: Free (must become a Library member)

23 May 2024, 10:00am–11:00am

Newsworthy

Discover how to find specific newspapers in hard copy, online and on microfilm.

Cost: Free

Online

23 May 2024, 11:00am–28 May 2024, 5:30pm

Artefacts: A Virtual Reality Experience

Explore 180-year-old artefacts found in the Metro Tunnel Project archaeological digs in this unique virtual reality experience for Melbourne Design Week.

Cost: Free

23 May 2024, 6:30pm–7:30pm

Artefacts: A Virtual Reality Masterclass

Don't miss this special masterclass from award-winning artist Michael Beets discussing his virtual reality piece, Artefacts.

Cost: Free

27 May 2024, 10:00am–31 May 2024, 6:00pm

Student Members: Semester 1 SWOTVAC Zone

Study at the Library during the SWOTVAC period.

Cost: Free

Members only

30 May 2024, 10:00am–11:00am

Finding Families

Learn the principles of family history, access research resources and tour the Family History collection in this introductory workshop.

Cost: Free

Online

04 June 2024, 11:30am–12:30pm

A Beginner’s Tour of the Library

Join our Librarians for a how-to on using the Library’s resources, services and grand historic spaces.

Cost: Free

06 June 2024, 3:00pm–4:00pm

Members Exclusive: World of the Book Curator Talk

Join us for a curator talk and learn about the history of book design, production and illustration.

Cost: Free

members only

07 June 2024, 7:00pm–10:00pm

Library up Late x Rennie Ellis

Turn up the volume in one of Victoria’s most iconic buildings with this unique Library after dark experience.

Cost: $15 (general and paid members admission)

11 June 2024, 2:00pm–3:00pm

Newspapers & Family History Reading Room Tour

Explore the Library’s Newspapers and Family History Reading Room in this one-hour introductory tour.

Cost: Free

13 June 2024, 10:00am–11:00am

Your Library Online

Learn how to access the Library wherever and whenever you want!

Cost: Free

Online

15 June 2024, 11:00am–12:00pm

Aussie Bush Illustration with Jess Racklyeft

Join us at a special Australian animal drawing workshop with author, Jess Racklyeft.

Cost: $10 (child admission), $8 (Family members admission)

15 June 2024, 12:30pm–1:00pm

Storytime with Jess Racklyeft

Let author and illustrator Jess Racklyeft enchant you with a storytime featuring her books in these special sessions.

Cost: Free

29 June 2024, 1:00pm–02 July 2024, 3:00pm

Millie Mak Craft: Paper Dolls

Dress your paper doll to impress in this fun, drop-in craft activity inspired by Millie Mak the Maker.

Cost: Free

01 July 2024, 10:30am–11:30am

Millie Mak Workshop: Scrunchies and Bags

Get crafty in our children's DIY workshops with the author-illustrator team behind Millie Mak the Maker, Alice Pung and Sher Rill Ng.

Cost: $10 (child admission), $8 (Family member child admission)

01 July 2024, 12:30pm–1:00pm

Millie Mak the Maker Storytime

Join author-illustrator team Alice Pung and Sher Rill Ng for a special Storytime where they will read their book, Millie Mak the Maker.

Cost: Free

03 July 2024, 6:30pm–9:30pm

Kids Takeover: After Dark

The Library will be bursting with activities and fun for kids and their grownups in this special after-hours experience.

Cost: Free with paid element

04 July 2024, 1:00pm–14 July 2024, 3:00pm

Paper Planet

Welcome to the world of Paper Planet: a magical forest made of paper, tape and your imagination.

Cost: Free

18 July 2024, 10:30am–12:30pm

Newsworthy Onsite

Explore the Library’s extensive newspaper collection and enhance your research skills in this hands-on Library workshop.

Cost: Free

25 July 2024, 6:30pm–8:00pm

Storytime After Dark

The people have left, the lights have been dimmed, and the Library has gone to bed. Or so the grown-ups think! Join us for a special after-hours Storytime at the Library.

Cost: Free

08 August 2024, 10:00am–11:00am

Researching Your Home

This brand new webinar will help to answer the questions and curiosities you may have about your family home.

Cost: Free

Online

22 August 2024, 10:00am–11:00am

Newspapers for Family History

Learn how to navigate the Library’s extensive newspaper collection to research your family history in this special National Family History Month webinar.

Cost: Free

Online

29 August 2024, 10:00am–11:00am

Welfare Records for Family History

Discover lost connections and unfamiliar histories by learning about welfare records in this online family history workshop.

Cost: Free

Online

What's on

Featured events & exhibitions

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All events & exhibitions

Wander

Beyond the Book: A Digital Journey through the Emmerson Collection

Solace

Nikon-Walkley Press Photography Exhibition

Ned Kelly’s Armour

beruk

Melbourne Out Loud: Life through the lens of Rennie Ellis

History of the Library Tour

Dome to Catacombs Tour

Studio 4 Induction

Nocturnal Creatures: Craft Drop-in

Toddler Tales

Baby Bounce

StartSpace Tours

Your Library Online: Law Resources At State Library Victoria

Members Exclusive: New Acquisitions Viewing

Storytime

Studio 2 Induction

Newsworthy

Artefacts: A Virtual Reality Experience

Artefacts: A Virtual Reality Masterclass

Student Members: Semester 1 SWOTVAC Zone

Finding Families

A Beginner’s Tour of the Library

Members Exclusive: World of the Book Curator Talk

Library up Late x Rennie Ellis

Newspapers & Family History Reading Room Tour

Your Library Online

Aussie Bush Illustration with Jess Racklyeft

Storytime with Jess Racklyeft

Millie Mak Craft: Paper Dolls

Millie Mak Workshop: Scrunchies and Bags

Millie Mak the Maker Storytime

Kids Takeover: After Dark

Paper Planet

Newsworthy Onsite

Storytime After Dark

Researching Your Home

Newspapers for Family History

Welfare Records for Family History