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

Saturday, 1 December 2018–Tuesday, 31 December 2019

Peter Wille: Out driving

Thursday, 24 October 2019–Sunday, 12 July 2020

Velvet, Iron, Ashes

Tuesday, 8 October 2019 - 10:45am–11:30am

Welcome to the Library tour

Tuesday, 8 October 2019 - 11:30am–12:30pm

'World of the book' tour

Bookings required

Friday, 22 November 2019 - 9:00pm

Steve Gunn (US) live at State Library Victoria

All events & exhibitions

08 March 2018–10 November 2019

Self-made: zines and artist books

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

touring exhibition

Daily

Peter Wille: Out driving

Explore this temporary exhibition showcasing images of Melbourne's architectural wonders throughout the 1950's and 1960's.

Cost: Free

Daily

World of the book

Explore a world of ideas and imagination in this exhibition showcasing the history of book design, production and illustration.

Cost: Free

Daily

The changing face of Victoria

Visit a remarkable free exhibition that tells the stories of the people, places and events that have shaped Victoria.

Cost: Free

Daily

Cowen Gallery

The newly curated Cowen Gallery exhibition showcases works from the Library’s paintings collection, exploring regional and urban themes.

Cost: Free

01 July 2019–01 November 2019

Dome at dusk

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

Cost: Free

bookings required

02 September 2019–02 September 2020

North Rotunda

Enjoy a selection of the Library’s 21st-century paintings of Melbourne cityscapes by living Australian artists.

Cost: Free

20 October 2019, 10:45am–11:30am

Welcome to the Library tour

Take a free guided tour exploring the Library, daily from 10.45am to 11.30am.

Cost: Free

20 October 2019, 11:30am–12:30pm

'World of the book' tour

See highlights of the 'World of the book' exhibition on this free daily tour at 11.30am.

Cost: Free

21 October 2019, 1:30pm–3:00pm

Dome to catacomb tour

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

Cost: Free

bookings required

21 October 2019, 2:00pm–3:00pm

'The changing face of Victoria' tour

Visit the La Trobe Reading Room and see highlights of the 'Changing face of Victoria' exhibition in this free guided tour. Ned Kelly's armour is temporarily off display

Cost: Free

23 October 2019, 10:30am–12:00pm

Researching with eresources

Learn more about how to access resources and navigate the Library's catalogue.

Cost: Free

bookings required

23 October 2019, 2:30pm–4:30pm

Finding families

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

Cost: Free

bookings required

24 October 2019–12 July 2020

Velvet, Iron, Ashes

Discover connections between people, events and icons from Victoria’s history in the exhibition Velvet, Iron, Ashes open in the Victoria Gallery from 10am–6pm daily.

Cost: Free