Alert

Ian Potter Queen's Hall will close at 4pm on Thursday 6 February. Find out more.

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

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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

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

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

World of the Book 2024

Explore the rare, the sacred and the iconic in this one-of-a-kind exhibition.

Cost: Free

Daily

Treaty

Acknowledge the past, present and future of Treaty with Victoria’s First Peoples.

Cost: Free

01 November 2024, 10:30am–27 February 2025, 1:30pm

Dome to Catacombs Tour

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

Cost: Free

Sold out

Daily

History of the Library Tour

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

Cost: Free

01 November 2024, 11:00am–28 February 2025, 2:00pm

World of the Book Tour

Tour this one-of-a-kind exhibition and learn about the history of book design, production and illustration from the Middle Ages to today.

Cost: Free

04 February 2025, 11:00am–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

Sold out

05 February 2025, 10:30am–11:00am

Storytime

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

Cost: Free

05 February 2025, 11:30am–12:00pm

Baby Bounce

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

Cost: Free

05 February 2025, 1:30pm–2:00pm

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)

06 February 2025, 7:30pm–10:30pm

Library Up Late X Midsumma

Celebrate Melbourne’s queer culture through the decades and party like it’s 1979.

Cost: $25 (general admission), $20 (paid members and concession admission), $15 (First Nations admission)

08 February 2025, 1:00pm–2:00pm

Page Turners: Helen Garner

One of Australia’s most beloved authors is joining us at the Library.

Cost: $15 (general admission - in-person and livestream), $10 (paid members, concession, under 30s and First Nations admission - in-person and livestream)

Onsite and online

08 February 2025, 3:00pm–5:00pm

Colour Your World

Help us bring back the lost colours in this drop-in craft activity.

Cost: Free

10 February 2025, 10:30am–11:00am

Toddler Tales

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

Cost: Free

11 February 2025, 10:00am–11:00am

Your Library Online

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

Cost: Free

Online

12 February 2025, 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)

12 February 2025, 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

Sold out

12 February 2025, 6:30pm–8:00pm

Landscape and Remembering: In Conversation with Danie Mellor

Hear from the artist behind Forever, a new large-scale artwork at the entrance of the Metro Tunnel Project's State Library Station.

Cost: Free

15 February 2025, 1:00pm–2:00pm

Page Turners: Santilla Chingaipe

Hear from author and filmmaker Santilla Chingaipe about her newest book.

Cost: $15 (general admission), $10 (paid members, concession, under 30s and First Nations admission)

20 February 2025, 10:00am–11:00am

Newsworthy

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

Cost: Free

Online

22 February 2025, 1:00pm–2:00pm

Page Turners: Josh Bornstein

Explore the book Working for the Brand with author Josh Bornstein.

Cost: $15 (general admission), $10 (paid members, concession, under 30s and First Nations admission)

25 February 2025, 3:00pm–4:30pm

Fellowships Program 2025: Information Sessions

Join us to learn more about the 2025 Fellowship Program.

Cost: Free

Onsite and online

27 February 2025, 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

01 March 2025, 1:00pm–2:00pm

Page Turners: Samah Sabawi

Get your questions ready and hear from author and playwright Samah Sabawi.

Cost: $15 (general admission), $10 (paid members, concession, under 30s and First Nations admission)

04 March 2025, 7:30pm–8:30pm

In Conversation with Stan Grant

Join bestselling author Stan Grant at State Library Victoria.

Cost: $45 (general admission), $36 (paid members admission), $25 (concession and under 30s admission), $20 (First Nations and livestream admission)

05 March 2025, 7:30pm–8:30pm

In Conversation with Niall Williams

See Booker Prize-nominated Irish author Niall Williams at his only Melbourne event.

Cost: $45 (general admission), $36 (paid members admission), $25 (concession and under 30s admission), $20 (First Nations admission), $20 (livestream admission)

Onsite and online

07 March 2025, 7:30pm–9:00pm

2025 For Future Reference Lecture: Dava Sobel

Hear from New York Times bestselling author Dava Sobel in our 2025 For Future Reference Lecture.

Cost: $45 (general admission), $36 (paid members admission), $25 (concession and under 30s admission), $20 (First Nations admission), $20 (livestream admission)

Onsite and Online

28 March 2025, 7:00pm–8:15pm

The Australian Dream? with Tim Ross

Join comedian Tim Ross and explore why Australians are obsessed with the idea of home and the dream of home ownership.

Cost: $49 (general admission)