Alert

South Rotunda and the Heritage Collections Reading Room will be closed 22 July - 8 Sept. Find out more.

The Children's Quarter will be closed from 10 - 11am on Thurs 8 Aug.

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

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

History of the Library Tour

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

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

Searching for Sanctuary: A journey of survival by Barat Ali Batoor

Experience the untold story of an asylum seeker overcoming unthinkable odds.

Cost: Free (مفت)

27 July 2024, 11:30am–12:30pm

Open House Melbourne: State Library Victoria Heritage Architecture Tours

Hear from principal architects of the 2020 Vision Redevelopment, Architectus and Andronas Conservation Architecture, in these special Open House Melbourne weekend tours.

Cost: $7

Sold out

27 July 2024, 1:00pm–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

28 July 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

Sold out

28 July 2024, 11:00am–12:00pm

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

29 July 2024, 10:30am–11:00am

Toddler Tales

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

Cost: Free

29 July 2024, 11:30am–12:00pm

Baby Bounce

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

Cost: Free

29 July 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

31 July 2024, 10:30am–11:00am

Storytime

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

Cost: Free

31 July 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)

31 July 2024, 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)

01 August 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

01 August 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

06 August 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 August 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

Sold out

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

08 August 2024, 1:00pm–1:45pm

Searching for Sanctuary Exhibition Tours

Join this free guided tour that explores the development of the Library's newest exhibition, Searching for Sanctuary: A journey of survival by Barat Ali Batoor.

Cost: Free

15 August 2024, 10:00am–11:00am

Your Library Online

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

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

22 August 2024, 6:00pm–8:30pm

Cocktails, Live: From Grain to Glass

Taste the history of the whisky and learn about why this ‘liquid gold’ has captivated palates and warmed hearts for centuries.

Cost: $125 (general admission), $90 (paid members and concession admission), $66 (First Nations admission)

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

03 September 2024, 11:00am–12:00pm

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

05 September 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

07 September 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)

07 September 2024, 12:00pm–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

What's on

Featured events & exhibitions

Filter events by date

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All events & exhibitions

Wander

Beyond the Book: A Digital Journey through the Emmerson Collection

Solace

Ned Kelly’s Armour

Melbourne Out Loud: Life through the lens of Rennie Ellis

History of the Library Tour

World of the Book 2024

Searching for Sanctuary: A journey of survival by Barat Ali Batoor

Open House Melbourne: State Library Victoria Heritage Architecture Tours

Millie Mak Craft: Paper Dolls

Dome to Catacombs Tour

World of the Book Tour

Toddler Tales

Baby Bounce

StartSpace Tours

Storytime

Studio 2 Induction

Studio 4 Induction

Finding Families

Storytime: After Dark

A Beginner’s Tour of the Library

Newspapers & Family History Reading Room Tour

Researching Your Home

Searching for Sanctuary Exhibition Tours

Your Library Online

Newspapers for Family History

Cocktails, Live: From Grain to Glass

Welfare Records for Family History

Members Exclusive: World of the Book Curator Talk

Members Exclusive: New Acquisitions Viewing

Millie Mak Workshop: Scrunchies and Bags

Millie Mak the Maker Storytime