Unwind at the Library this summer

State Library Victoria Cultural, Student and Family members receive 48-hour early release of tickets each season, as well as many other benefits. Become a member today.

Please note: there are often many sessions available for tours and some workshops, so be sure to click on the event to book a date that suits you.

Handmade Universe: Festive Craft Workshops

Gandel Storytelling Workshop: Storyline Express

Window on Collections: Modern Maps

All events & exhibitions

Daily

Ned Kelly's Armour

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

Cost: Free

Daily

World of the Book 2022

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

Cost: Free

Daily

Handmade Universe: From craft to code and the spaces between

Our newest exhibition explores how we connect with universal themes of place and identity through the act of making by hand.

Cost: Free

Daily

The Rest Is Up To You: Melbourne Fringe Festival 1982-2062

What does Melbourne Fringe Festival mean to you?

Cost: Free

03 December 2022, 10:15am–11:15am

History of the Library Tour

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

Cost: Free

03 December 2022, 11:00am–12:30pm

Gandel Storytelling Workshop: Storyline Express

Stories aren’t just found in books these school holidays.

Cost: Free

03 December 2022, 11:45am–12:45pm

'World of the Book' Tour

See highlights of the ‘World of the book’ exhibition on this free guided tour.

Cost: Free

04 December 2022, 1:30pm–2:15pm

Handmade Universe Guided Tour

Join us at the Library for our new exhibition, which explores how we connect with universal themes of place and identity through the act of making by hand.

Cost: Free

05 December 2022, 10:30am–11:00am

Storytime

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

Cost: Free

Onsite and Online

05 December 2022, 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

07 December 2022, 10:30am–11:15am

Playdate at the Library

Join us for an interactive lesson every week!

Cost: Free

07 December 2022, 11:00am–12:00pm

Studio 2 Induction

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

Cost: Free

07 December 2022, 1:00pm–1:30pm

Studio 4 Induction

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

Cost: Free

07 December 2022, 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

07 December 2022, 6:30pm–9:00pm

Handmade Universe: Festive Craft Workshops

Master silly season with handmade gifts galore!

Cost: $25 full price and $20 for concession and Library members

08 December 2022, 5:30pm–7:00pm

Prime Minister’s Summer Reading List 2022

Join us for a live webinar discussing this summer’s top titles.

Cost: Free

17 January 2023, 10:00am–11:00am

Newsworthy

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

Cost: Free

Online

19 January 2023, 10:00am–3:00pm

Kids Takeover

The Library will be bursting with activities, experiences and fun for kids and their grownups.

Cost: Free with paid element

19 January 2023, 10:00am–02 February 2023, 6:00pm

Library on the Lawn

We’re extending the fun and games outside and onto the lush Library lawn this summer!

Cost: Free

24 January 2023, 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

Join Waitlist

01 February 2023, 1:30pm–2:30pm

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

04 February 2023, 9:00am–10:00am

[Relaxed Session] The Rest Is Up To You: Melbourne Fringe Festival 1982-2062

Visit the Melbourne Fringe Festival in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere with a reduced sensory environment.

Cost: Free

07 February 2023, 10:00am–11:00am

Introduction to the Library Webinar

Learn how to access and navigate the Library’s wealth of physical and online collections.

Cost: Free

online

09 February 2023, 10:00am–11:00am

Our Online Collections

Join our expert librarians as they walk you through accessing our online databases, ebooks and more!

Cost: Free

Online

09 February 2023, 5:00pm–5:45pm

Teen Writing Bootcamp: Information Session

Chase your passion for writing!

Cost: Free

Online

17 February 2023, 2:00pm–3:00pm

Student Member Induction

Learn how to make the most of the Library’s spaces, resources and collections.

Cost: Free

Members only

21 February 2023, 6:30pm–8:00pm

Window on Collections: Modern Maps

Join us for presentations by three local creators of modern maps who place their personal experience of the world at the heart of their work.

Cost: Free

Onsite and Online

23 February 2023, 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

Sold Out

24 February 2023, 10:30am–12:00pm

VCE Top Talks

Join us for a Ted Talks-style event, where past, current and future VCE students inspire each other.

Cost: Free

28 February 2023, 10:00am–11:00am

Spotlight on Maps: Heritage Collection Series

Discover the cartography of the past!

Cost: Free

Sold Out

What's on

Unwind at the Library this summer

Handmade Universe: Festive Craft Workshops

Gandel Storytelling Workshop: Storyline Express

Window on Collections: Modern Maps

Filter events by date

Filter by event type

Filter by cost

All events & exhibitions

Ned Kelly's Armour

World of the Book 2022

Handmade Universe: From craft to code and the spaces between

The Rest Is Up To You: Melbourne Fringe Festival 1982-2062

History of the Library Tour

Gandel Storytelling Workshop: Storyline Express

'World of the Book' Tour

Handmade Universe Guided Tour

Storytime

StartSpace Tours

Playdate at the Library

Studio 2 Induction

Studio 4 Induction

Newspapers & Family History Reading Room Tour

Handmade Universe: Festive Craft Workshops

Prime Minister’s Summer Reading List 2022

Newsworthy

Kids Takeover

Library on the Lawn

Finding Families

Dome to Catacombs Tour

[Relaxed Session] The Rest Is Up To You: Melbourne Fringe Festival 1982-2062

Introduction to the Library Webinar

Our Online Collections

Teen Writing Bootcamp: Information Session

Student Member Induction

Window on Collections: Modern Maps

Researching Your Home

VCE Top Talks

Spotlight on Maps: Heritage Collection Series

Their Library. Their future.

What's on

Unwind at the Library this summer

Handmade Universe: Festive Craft Workshops

Gandel Storytelling Workshop: Storyline Express

Window on Collections: Modern Maps

Filter events by date

Filter by event type

Filter by cost

All events & exhibitions

Ned Kelly's Armour

World of the Book 2022

Handmade Universe: From craft to code and the spaces between

The Rest Is Up To You: Melbourne Fringe Festival 1982-2062

History of the Library Tour

Gandel Storytelling Workshop: Storyline Express

'World of the Book' Tour

Handmade Universe Guided Tour

Storytime

StartSpace Tours

Playdate at the Library

Studio 2 Induction

Studio 4 Induction

Newspapers & Family History Reading Room Tour

Handmade Universe: Festive Craft Workshops

Prime Minister’s Summer Reading List 2022

Newsworthy

Kids Takeover

Library on the Lawn

Finding Families

Dome to Catacombs Tour

[Relaxed Session] The Rest Is Up To You: Melbourne Fringe Festival 1982-2062

Introduction to the Library Webinar

Our Online Collections

Teen Writing Bootcamp: Information Session

Student Member Induction

Window on Collections: Modern Maps

Researching Your Home

VCE Top Talks

Spotlight on Maps: Heritage Collection Series