Public Spaces

When the Library first opened in 1856, it had two public areas - an impressive entrance hall and a first floor reading room. Now the Library has 19 dedicated public spaces and many more areas for storage and staff. Spread over 6 levels in 22 separate buildings, the Library today covers a two-hectare city site.

Purpose-built spaces and restored heritage reading rooms, galleries and exhibition areas not only provide state-of-the-art facilities, but offer increased access to services and information. The Library's public spaces are:

Arts Reading Room
Australian Manuscripts
Chess
Conference Centre
Cowen Gallery
Dome Galleries
Experimedia
Foundation Members' Lounge
Front Foyer
Genealogy Centre
Heritage Collections Reading Room
Information Centre
Journals & Magazines
Keith Murdoch Gallery
La Trobe Reading Room
Maps, Rare Books, Children's Literature
Mr Tulk Cafe & Tulk Junior
Newspaper Reading Room
Pictures
Queen's Hall
Redmond Barry Reading Room

Quiet rooms

The Library offers a number of 'quiet rooms'. These spaces provide a peaceful environment for silent work and study free of conversation and mobile phone use. These quiet rooms are:

• Arts Reading Room
• La Trobe Reading Room
• Chess
• Journals and Magazines

For group study and conversation we recommend you use other Library areas, such as the Information Centre and Redmond Barry Reading Room.

Food and drink

Mr Tulk and Tulk Junior offer a range of hot and cold drinks and a varied menu to eat in or takeaway. Please note that food and drink may not be brought into or consumed in any part of the Library outside these cafe spaces. Bottled water in a secure container may be brought in and consumed in specific areas.

More information about the Library's policies on food and drink >