Uncover your story at the Library this Winter

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.

A baby being held by her mother whilst holding a picture book and turning the pages.

Baby Bounce

Two older gentleman sitting down wearing summer clothing, one of them is reading a newspaper

Newsworthy

Installation view of MIRROR: New views on photography exhibition

MIRROR: Curator Talks

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

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

What does Melbourne Fringe Festival mean to you?

Cost: Free

Daily

World of the Book 2023

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

Cost: Free

19 May 2023, 10:00am–28 January 2024, 6:00pm

MIRROR: New views on photography

Discover the fascinating stories of Victoria through a contemporary lens.

Cost: Free

29 May 2023, 10:00am–02 June 2023, 6:00pm

Student Members: Semester 1 SWOTVAC Zone

Study at the Library during the May-June 2023 SWOTVAC period.

Cost: Free

Members only

01 June 2023, 1:00pm–1:30pm

MIRROR: Meet the Curators

Join our curators on a journey through the Library’s newest exhibition, MIRROR: New views on photography.

Cost: Free

01 June 2023, 5:00pm–6:00pm

Teen Writing Bootcamp: Comics

Turn your story ideas into captivating comics with artist and illustrator Clea Chiller.

Cost: Free

Sold out

02 June 2023, 10:30am–11:30am

History of the Library Tour

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

Cost: Free

03 June 2023, 2:00pm–2:30pm

The Rest Is Up To You: Auslan Interpreted Tour

Come inside the world of Fringe with exhibition co-curators and Auslan interpretation.

Cost: Free

Sold out

03 June 2023, 3:00pm–4:00pm

The Rest Is Up To You: Curator Talk – Curating at the margins

Join Simon Abrahams and Kate Rhodes for a curatorial tour of The Rest Is Up To You.

Cost: Free

05 June 2023, 10:30am–11:00am

Baby Bounce

Join us for a fun, interactive session of stories, songs and rhymes.

Cost: Free

05 June 2023, 10:30am–12:00pm

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

05 June 2023, 11:30am–12:00pm

Toddler Tales

Bring your toddler to a session filled with stories, songs and rhymes.

Cost: Free

05 June 2023, 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

06 June 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

06 June 2023, 5:00pm–6:00pm

Teen Writing Bootcamp: YA Fiction

Discover how to write original young adult fiction with author and public speaker Jessica Walton.

Cost: Free

Sold out

07 June 2023, 10:30am–11:00am

Storytime

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

Cost: Free

Onsite and Online

07 June 2023, 11:00am–12:00pm

Studio 2 Induction

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

Cost: Free (must become a Library member)

07 June 2023, 1:00pm–1:30pm

Studio 4 Induction

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

Cost: Free (must become a Library member)

07 June 2023, 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

08 June 2023, 5:30pm–6:30pm

Members Exclusive: World of the Book Curator Talk

Join us for a curator talk and learn about the history of book design, production and illustration.

Cost: Free

members only

15 June 2023, 12:00pm–1:00pm

Your Library Online

Learn how to access the Library wherever and whenever you want!

Cost: Free

Online

17 June 2023, 10:30am–1:30pm

The Rest Is Up To You: SCRIBE

Join us to build a democratic document of all that Melbourne Fringe has meant over these 40 years.

Cost: Free

20 June 2023, 10:00am–11:00am

Newsworthy

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

Cost: Free

Online

20 June 2023, 1:00pm–2:00pm

Emerging Writers’ Festival: Re-Forming the Field

Hear from sports-focused writers and artists Simona Castricum, Kirby Fenwick, Marissa Lordanic and Saraid Taylor as they explore pathways to sports writing.

Cost: Free; booking required

20 June 2023, 7:00pm–8:30pm

Art on the Fringe: Forty Years of Melbourne Fringe

Celebrate the iconic festival that has emboldened the Melbourne arts scene since 1982.

Cost: $25, $20 for concession and State Library Victoria Cultural Members, free for First Nations people

29 June 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

Online

29 June 2023, 10:00am–3:00pm

Winter 2023 Kids Takeover

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

Cost: Free with paid element

19 July 2023, 2:00pm–4:00pm

Newsworthy Onsite

Explore the Library’s extensive newspaper collection and enhance your research skills in this hands-on Library workshop.

Cost: Free

01 August 2023, 11:00am

Cultural Members: Conservation and Preservation Tours

A behind-the-scenes, one-hour discovery awaits.

Cost: Free

Members only

08 August 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

Online

12 August 2023, 2:00pm–3:00pm

Women, Knights, Voices & Love: Orlando Furioso in Words and Music

Delight in the power of romantic epic poetry in an enlightened afternoon of music and conversation.

Cost: Free

SOLD OUT

24 August 2023, 10:00am–11:00am

Welfare Records for Family History

Discover lost connections and unfamiliar histories by learning about welfare records in this online family history workshop.

Cost: Free

Online

What's on

Uncover your story at the Library this Winter

Baby Bounce

Newsworthy

MIRROR: Curator Talks

Filter events by date

Filter by event type

Filter by cost

All events & exhibitions

Ned Kelly's Armour

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

World of the Book 2023

MIRROR: New views on photography​

Student Members: Semester 1 SWOTVAC Zone

MIRROR: Meet the Curators

Teen Writing Bootcamp: Comics

History of the Library Tour

The Rest Is Up To You: Auslan Interpreted Tour

The Rest Is Up To You: Curator Talk – Curating at the margins

Baby Bounce

Dome to Catacombs Tour

Toddler Tales

StartSpace Tours

Introduction to the Library Webinar

Teen Writing Bootcamp: YA Fiction

Storytime

Studio 2 Induction

Studio 4 Induction

Newspapers & Family History Reading Room Tour

Members Exclusive: World of the Book Curator Talk

Your Library Online

The Rest Is Up To You: SCRIBE

Newsworthy

Emerging Writers’ Festival: Re-Forming the Field

Art on the Fringe: Forty Years of Melbourne Fringe

Finding Families

Winter 2023 Kids Takeover

Newsworthy Onsite

Cultural Members: Conservation and Preservation Tours

Researching Your Home

Women, Knights, Voices & Love: Orlando Furioso in Words and Music

Welfare Records for Family History

MIRROR: New views on photography