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

bookings required

Tuesday, 26 March 2019 - 6:00pm–7:00pm

The Garret LIVE at the Library: The Stella Prize Shortlist

bookings required

Thursday, 14 February 2019 - 10:15am–11:15am

Newspapers and family history introduction tour

bookings required

Wednesday, 6 March 2019 - 10:30am–11:30am

Rhyme time at the Royal Botanic Gardens

bookings required

Monday, 11 March 2019–Friday, 5 April 2019

Branching out

Tuesday, 1 January 2019–Tuesday, 31 December 2019

Welcome to the Library tour

All events & exhibitions

08 March 2018–19 January 2020

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 new permanent exhibition which features images of Melbourne's architectural wonders throughout the 1950's and 1960's.

Cost: Free

Daily

Welcome to the Library tour

Take a free guided tour exploring the Library, daily from 11am to 11.45am.

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

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

Cowen Gallery exhibition

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

Cost: Free

22 February 2019, 11:30am–12:30pm

'World of the book' tour

Visit the magnificent domed La Trobe Reading Room and see highlights of the 'World of the book' exhibition on this free tour.

Cost: Free

22 February 2019, 6:00pm–9:00pm

The Saturday Paper Quiz Night

Join us for a grand night of quizzing, hosted by The Saturday Paper.

Cost: $65 per person, includes two-course meal. Drinks available for purchase.

25 February 2019, 1:30pm

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

26 February 2019, 6:00pm–7:00pm

2019 Foxcroft Lecture: unseen art of the First Fleet

Hear Louise Anemaat, author and executive director at the State Library of NSW deliver her lecture on rare botanical and zoological drawings dating from the 1790s.

Cost: Free

28 February 2019, 6:00pm–6:30pm

Dome at Dusk: The medieval art of dying

Join this special talk on the medieval art of dying, presented by State Library curators

Cost: Free

01 March 2019–01 June 2019

Dome at dusk

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

Cost: Free

bookings required

05 March 2019, 6:00pm–7:15pm

The Policy Pitch

The Grattan Institute presents a discussion on how to improve Australia's oral health needs.

Cost: Free

Bookings required

06 March 2019, 10:15am–11:15am

Newspapers and family history introduction tour

Find out more about your family history in this special tour.

Cost: Free

bookings required

06 March 2019, 10:30am–11:30am

Rhyme time at the Royal Botanic Gardens

Join State Library storytellers for a morning of fun in the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens.

Cost: Free

bookings required

07 March 2019, 6:00pm–6:30pm

Dome at Dusk: ‘When I was standing on the deck surrounded by my friends ...’

Hear the stunning successes to crushing hardships of immigrants who travelled to Australia looking for gold.

Cost: Free

bookings required

09 March 2019, 1:00pm

Ned Kelly tour

Discover the story of Victoria’s infamous bushranger Ned Kelly in this free guided tour running every Wednesday and Saturday, except public holidays.

Cost: Free

bookings required

11 March 2019–05 April 2019

Branching out

Gain the tools you need to discover more about your own family tree during this four-week online course.

Cost: Free

bookings required

14 March 2019, 10:30am–12:00pm

Accessing ebooks

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

Cost: Free

Bookings required

14 March 2019, 11:00am–12:30pm

Walking the Blue Lake

Explore Melbourne’s ‘Blue Lake’ on a guided medium or challenging walk.

Cost: Free

bookings required

21 March 2019, 2:00pm–3:30pm

Researching with eresources

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

Cost: Free

bookings required

21 March 2019, 6:00pm–6:30pm

Dome at Dusk: Women changing the world

Find out more about the history of feminist thought and writing from the 17th century until today.

Cost: Free

bookings required

25 March 2019, 10:00am–12:00pm

International students guide to the Library

Welcoming all international students.

Cost: Free

bookings required

26 March 2019, 6:00pm–7:00pm

The Garret LIVE at the Library: The Stella Prize Shortlist

Hear about the books that made the 2019 Stella Prize shortlist

Cost: Free

bookings required

03 April 2019, 11:00am–12:00pm

The mean streets of old Melbourne

Join in this walking tour and hear more about the nefarious heritage of Marvellous Melbourne.

Cost: Free

bookings required

04 April 2019, 6:00pm–6:30pm

Dome at Dusk: Marvellous Melbourne – a land of promise

Hear about the Library’s collection of auction plans, colourful illustrations, elaborate fonts, cartoons and even verse.

Cost: Free

bookings required

08 April 2019–10 April 2019

School holiday program: Story Camp

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)

18 April 2019, 6:00pm–6:30pm

Dome at Dusk: King Arthur through the ages

Explore the history of England's legendary King Arthur.

Cost: Free

bookings required

02 May 2019, 6:00pm–6:30pm

Dome at Dusk: Ink and mercury – the art and science of the Burke and Wills expedition

Learn more about expedition artist Ludwig Becker.

Cost: Free

bookings required

04 May 2019, 10:00am–12:00pm

Coffee and papers: The Saturday Paper

The Saturday Paper editor-in-chief Erik Jensen brings you the latest headlines.

Cost: Free

bookings required

16 May 2019, 6:00pm–6:30pm

Dome at Dusk: Magellan, Drake and the race to circumnavigate

Find out more about intrepid navigators, Ferdinand Magellan and Francis Drake.

Cost: Free

bookings required