Hear extraordinary stories of war in this moving exhibition about the Australian experience of WWI.

Cost: Free

Play Pod is the Library's program for children aged under eight years, packed with activities to read, create and play from 10am to 4pm daily.

Cost: Free

Experience Gracia & Louise's special artist book unfold 'in the round' in the heritage dais in the domed La Trobe Reading Room.

Cost: Free

Explore a world of ideas and imagination in this one-of-a-kind exhibition showcasing the history of book design, production and illustration from the Middle Ages to today.

Cost: Free

Visit a remarkable free exhibition that tells the stories of the people, places and events that have shaped Victoria. This exhibition is temporarily closed from 14 to 25 May.

Cost: Free

Visit the magnificent domed La Trobe Reading Room and see highlights of the 'World of the book' exhibition on this free tour, held daily from 11.30am to 12.30pm, except public holidays.

Cost: Free

Visit the La Trobe Reading Room and see highlights of the 'Changing face of Victoria' exhibition in this free guided tour, held daily at 2pm except public holidays and during a temporary closure 14–25 May.

Cost: Free

Join us under the Dome at dusk for a series of specialist collection talks.

Cost: Free

Discover the evolution of do-it-yourself publishing in this free exhibition of fanzines, punk zines, underground press publications and artist books designed to buck the commercial gallery system.

Cost: Free

Learn everything you need to know about searching and downloading ebooks to a PC or your own device.

Cost: Free

Share this fun session of stories, songs and rhymes with children aged two and under, held three times a week.

Cost: Free

Have fun every Wednesday and Thursday with stories, songs, rhymes and creative activities for children aged three to five, their parents and carers.

Cost: Free

Immerse yourself in art, live music, interactions with performers, and the chance to liberate your bohemian spirit.

Cost: $45.00

Discover the story of Victoria’s infamous bushranger Ned Kelly in this free guided tour running every Wednesday and Saturday, except public holidays. Tours will not be running 14 to 25 May due to the Changing face of Victoria exhibition changeover.

Cost: Free

Take a free guided tour exploring the Library’s many spaces and services.

Cost: Free

Sneak a peek behind the scenes at the iconic State Library and roam the building from top to bottom in this tour.

Cost: Free

Learn the principles of family history, access research resources and tour the Family History collection in this introductory workshop.

Cost: Free

Join us to celebrate the launch of our new Play Pod theme inspired by Welcome to Country by Aunty Joy Murphy and Lisa Kennedy

Cost: Free

Meet Detective John Mitchell Christie, one of 19th-century Melbourne’s finest detectives, famous for his creative disguises and his knack for busting crime.

Cost: Free

Sir Redmond Barry could never have imagined the ways science would transform our world during the late 19th and 20th centuries. In today’s rapidly changing technological environment, our future is just as unpredictable.

Cost: Free

Learn to access ebooks, newspapers and journal articles from the comfort of home.

Cost: Free

Improve your online research skills in this one-hour workshop.

Cost: Free

Dive into the history of colour and explore theories about its properties, perceptions and meanings

Cost: Free

Calling all budding writers! As part of the Emerging Writers’ Festival, we’re hosting free Lunchtime Lits and Reading Room programs featuring the freshest Australian writers and thinkers.

Cost: Free

As part of the Emerging Writers’ Festival, we’re hosting free Lunchtime Lits and Reading Room programs featuring the freshest Australian writers and thinkers. Get your fill of great ideas on your lunchbreak with these creative and critical offerings.

Cost: Free

As part of Emerging Writers’ Festival, we’re hosting a range of programs featuring the freshest of Australia’s writers and thinkers.

Cost: Free

As part of the Emerging Writers’ Festival, we’re hosting free Lunchtime Lits and Reading Room programs featuring the freshest Australian writers and thinkers. Get your fill of great ideas on your lunchbreak with these creative and critical offerings.

Cost: Free

As part of the Emerging Writers’ Festival, we’re hosting free Lunchtime Lits and Reading Room programs featuring the freshest Australian writers and thinkers. Get your fill of great ideas on your lunchbreak with these creative and critical offerings.

Cost: Free

Cost: Free

Cost: Free

As part of the Emerging Writers’ Festival, we’re hosting free Lunchtime Lits and Reading Room programs featuring the freshest Australian writers and thinkers. Get your fill of great ideas on your lunchbreak with these creative and critical offerings.

Cost: Free

Join curators Des Cowley and Anna Welch for a special tour of World of the Book

Cost: Free

Be inspired by the State Library’s magnificent collection of rare books, then use your imagination to create your own pop-up masterpiece to take home!

Cost: Free

Hear Jan McDonald outline the history of the MV Anderson Chess Collection for Rare Book Week.

Cost: Free

Meet and learn from some of Australia's most exciting and inspiring storytellers in a free school holiday workshop for 12- to 15-year-olds.

Cost: Free (eligibility criteria apply)

Through illuminated manuscripts and early printed works from the State Library Victoria collection, Anna Welch will explore the medieval ars moriendi (art of dying).

Cost: Free

Cost: Free

From heart-wrenching letters to intriguing scrapbooks, librarian Danie Weel will tell the tale of some of Victoria’s most violent crimes.

Cost: Free

This session provides an opportunity to view a selection of recently acquired artists’ books by Deanna Hitti, Phil Day, Gracia & Louise, Deborah Klein, and others.

Cost: Free

Investigate Australia's climate history with Joëlle Gergis, author of Sunburnt country.

Cost: Free

Enjoy the Library's free permanent exhibition of oil paintings and portrait sculptures.

Cost: Free