The Library is governed by the Library Board of Victoria, which is overseen by the Victorian Minister for Creative Industries.
The Board's functions are set out in the Libraries Act 1988 and include:
ensuring the maintenance, preservation and development of a state collection of library material, including a comprehensive collection of library material relating to Victoria and the people of Victoria ensuring that the state collection is available to Victorians, subject to any conditions the Board makes ensuring the availability of services and facilities in relation to library matters and library material (including bibliographic services) arranging the publication and sale of reproductions of any library material in the state collection overseeing the exhibition of material from the state collection for information, education and entertainment overseeing cooperation in programs with libraries and information organisations to promote access to library and information services and resources exercising leadership and promoting high standards in the provision of library and information services providing advice to the minister on any matter concerning libraries and information organisations performing any other functions appropriate to the Board that the minister may approve The Board's functions should also contribute to the cultural, educational, social and economic development of Victorians.
About the Board members Board members are appointed by the Governor in Council on the recommendation of the Minister for the Arts. Members represent interests in academia, business, government, information technology and the humanities. Up to 11 members serve on the Board for up to three years. Members are eligible for reappointment.
Helen Silver AO, President Helen Silver AO, President Helen Silver AO was appointed the 25th President of the Library Board of Victoria in March 2026, as State Library Victoria marks its 170th anniversary.
Helen is a highly experienced and respected executive who has worked at the highest levels of the public and private sectors. Between 2013-2021, she worked for Allianz Australia where her last role was Deputy Managing Director.
Previously, Helen spent nearly 30 years in executive roles in the Victorian and Commonwealth public service. She was the Secretary of Victoria’s Department of Premier and Cabinet between 2008-2013, where she led the state through major events such as the Black Saturday bushfires. She also led the arts portfolio and Arts Victoria – the government’s creative body now known as Creative Victoria.
Alongside board and executive roles in the insurance, banking and infrastructure sectors, Helen also has a longstanding connection to the creative industries. She currently serves as Chair of the Australian Children’s Television Foundation and previously served on the board of Victorian Arts Centre Trust and Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.
Helen takes a lead role in promoting and advocating for gender equality and diversity both in her work organisations and in the community and has a deep interest in public policy and the arts. In 2015, Helen was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to public administration, business and commerce and the Victorian community.
Adam Lewis Adam Lewis was appointed to the Board in May 2018 and reappointed in 2021 and 2024. Adam served as a member of the Vision 2020 Redevelopment Project Steering Committee and is currently a member of the Audit and Risk Management Committee and the Appointments and Remuneration Committee.
Adam is an alumnus of McKinsey and Company, where he spent 20 years as an advisor to major firms and governments around the world. He was a partner for 14 years, a managing partner for Australia and New Zealand for seven years, and a member of McKinsey's Asia Council and global Senior Partner election committees.
Since leaving McKinsey in 2010, Adam's roles have included Chair of Palette, Deliciou, HPS Technology, and Southern Innovation. Adam has previously been a Director of the Melbourne International Film Festival, a member of the Australia Council for the Arts, and an advisory board member of the Smith Family. He is also the former Chair of Aconex Pty Ltd and Message Media Limited. He holds a B.Eng (Hon.) from Curtin University and an MBA (Hon.) from the University of Illinois.
Cheri Ong In May 2019, Cheri Ong was appointed to the Library Board. Cheri is a member of the Audit and Risk Management Committee and Foundation Council.
Cheri is the founder and Chair of the Asian Australian Foundation. She was a member of the governing council of International House, University of Melbourne, and the Chair of its Risk Committee.
Cheri was previously a board member and Chair of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee of Multicultural Arts Victoria. She was formerly Head of Regulation and Compliance at KPMG Australia and the Asia Pacific Chief Operating Officer for KPMG Risk Management. She has held various legal counsel roles at several financial institutions.
Cheri has a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Laws from Monash University and is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Alex Cartel Alex Cartel was appointed to the Board in March 2022, being a member of the Library’s Foundation Council since 2020. Alex is currently the Chair of the Foundation Council.
Alex is Managing Director and Head of Global Advisory, Australia, Rothschild & Co and has since 2013, served as a member of the Australian Takeovers Panel, becoming President in 2019.
Alex was previously Managing Director, Head of Banking, Capital Markets & Advisory, Australia & New Zealand, Cit, and Managing Director, Co-head of Corporate Finance, Deutsche Bank in Australia, having commenced his career as a Solicitor with Allens in Melbourne.
Alex has a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the University of Melbourne.
Inala Cooper Inala Cooper was appointed to the Board in March 2022 and is a member of the Foundation Council and Advisory Committee on Public Libraries.
Inala is a Director at Murrup Barak, Melbourne Institute for Indigenous Development, a Board member of the Emmanuel Foundation, and a Board member of the Adam Briggs Foundation.
Inala's earlier roles included Senior Adviser in the Yulendj Indigenous Engagement Unit at Monash University and Board member of Jesuit Social Services and Culture is Life.
Inala has a Master's degree in Human Rights Law (2012) from Monash University and is a social commentator, change-maker and advocate for Indigenous rights, social justice and human rights.
Her undergraduate degree at Deakin University was in Drama and Contemporary Dance (1998), and she holds a Diploma of Arts, Small Companies and Community Theatre from Swinburne University of Technology (2002). Inala is now undertaking her PhD in Indigenous identity and human rights.
Inala is a Yawuru woman from Broome in the Kimberley, Western Australia. She grew up in south-west Victoria on Gunditjmara land and has lived on the land of the Kulin Nations in Melbourne for over 25 years.
Keren Murray Keren is an experienced non-executive director in the community and literary sectors. She has led the transition of small NFPs from start-ups to impactful, well-respected and sustainable organisations.
Keren has served as the Chair of The Stella Prize board, founding director and Secretary of Women and Mentoring – WAM, and board member of YWCA Victoria.
Keren was a Commonwealth Scholar completing a Bachelor of Civil Laws and a Master of Philosophy in Law at the University of Oxford. She holds Bachelor degrees in Arts and Law from the University of Melbourne, as well as a Post-graduate Certificate in Public Policy and Management.
Keren is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
John Dewar AO Professor Dewar has held many leadership positions in the higher education sector, including Vice-Chancellor at La Trobe University (for 12 years from January 2012 to January 2024), Griffith University and the University of Melbourne (as Deputy Vice-Chancellor, (Global Relations) and Provost) and more recently, Interim Vice-Chancellor and President at the University of Wollongong.
He is also a partner at KordaMentha in their performance improvement team since February 2024.
He is a graduate of the University of Oxford, where he was also a Fellow of Hertford College from 1990-1995.
He taught at Lancaster University and the University of Warwick in the UK, and worked for the London law firms Allen & Overy and Farrer & Co.
Caroline Aebersold Dr Caroline Aebersold was appointed to the Board in November 2025. Caroline brings over 25 years of experience as a non-executive director, as well as over a decade as CEO of a national arts education not-for-profit, and diverse leadership experience across a range of sectors including education, mental health and the public sector.
Caroline is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, has strong governance expertise, and holds non-executive director roles with several purpose-driven organisations working in education and learning, First Nations cultural preservation, human rights, mental health and the arts.
As a firm-wide education sector leader and service leader in for-purpose transformation in management consulting, Caroline has led engagements advising on strategy, community and stakeholder engagement, public policy and service design, digital transformation, governance and regulatory reforms to deliver enhanced public outcomes and meet the evolving needs of diverse communities across Victoria and nationally.
Caroline is a former psychologist and holds a doctorate in human rights law from Monash University, and is deeply passionate about quality and accessible education, health and creativity.
Christine Mackenzie Christine Mackenzie AM has more than 40 years of leadership in the library sector, having started her career as a librarian at State Library Victoria in 1975. Ms Mackenzie has served as CEO of Yarra Plenty Regional Library and Executive Officer of Public Libraries Victoria Network. A past President of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, she has long been a leading voice for libraries nationally and internationally.
Peter McPhee Emeritus Professor Peter McPhee is a distinguished academic and author, and the first Provost of the University of Melbourne. With extensive experience in academic leadership and governance – including as Chair of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority and Melbourne University Publishing – he brings deep expertise in education, policy and cultural institutions.
