$83.1 million to transform State Library of Victoria into cultural hub

The Victorian Government has announced plans to invest $55.4 million over five years in the redevelopment of the State Library of Victoria project.

​The project will also draw on $27.7 million ​from Victoria’s philanthropic community, ​delivering $83.1 million ​to transform how the library operates​, its design, programs and services.

Acknowledging the need for libraries to chang​e in the digital age, Victorian Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley said ​the developments would take the “state icon to a new level in a digital age.”

He added “this project will ensure that new ideas and new opportunities for businesses, innovation and entrepreneurialism can occur.”

President of the Library Board of Victoria John Wylie added “we want to ensure the State Library evolves to continue to meet the ever-changing needs of the community now and in the future.

“This is not just a project for Melbourne – it’s a major transformation that will benefit all of Victoria.”

With almost 1.8 million visitors per year, the State Library has felt the strain of a growing city population with visitors often​ seen sitting on the floor on a busy day. The project will address issues of space and improve facilities for staff and remote visitors.

Opening up 40% of the heritage building and improving digital media facilities will help the heritage building adapt to an expanding population and the estimates that Melbourne will soon become Australia’s largest city.

In what is the equivalent space to an entire new domed reading room, the redevelopment project will utilise storage space, the currently closed Queen’s Hall and Russell Street entrance, and develop a new rooftop garden terrace.

With the Victorian Government as the anchor and support for the redevelopment, Minister Foley said the improved digital connectivity to the library for regional Victoria is one of the most exciting aspect of the project. As technology evolves, the State Library hopes to be a hub of learning not just for Melbourne, but for the entire state. 

Through technology and innovation, the redevelopment aims to enable the State Library to continue to support lifelong learning and help build Victoria as leaders in the cultural economy.

Minister Foley added “it is just part of the cultural fabric and it has that personal connection, but it is also a key to the knowledge-based economy and creative-cultural economy opportunities and all of those show no sign of slowing in growth.”

The ‘jewel in the crown’ of the redevelopment project will be the Queen’s Hall, with natural light floating in from skylights and the interior returned to the original Edward La Trobe Bateman design. The restoration will reintroduce public space for library and reception uses, and become a space for programs and activities.

In addition, a rooftop garden terrace will offer a view of Queen’s Hall from above, with views of the CBD sure to make it a popular public meeting space. The inclusion of a café or a bar are not currently planned, but the terrace will be open for pop-up events.

The redevelopment will restore and reopen the dilapidated Russell Street entrance, bringing a new lease of life to an underutilised street frontage. The reopening will include the introduction of a major new exhibition space to showcase the library’s collections, as well as associated ancillary spaces including retail, café and visitor services.

The ground floor activation project will ‘reimagine’ the way the library delivers its services. An innovation centre incorporating a centre for entrepreneurship will support start-ups and small business. A centre for digital media will provide access to the latest and emerging technology, and an e-Town hall initiative will bring the programs to regional public libraries throughout Victoria.

New spaces for children and young learners will encourage young people and their families to embrace a love of learning and reading.

The Dome Annulus galleries will be reprogrammed and the north-west courtyard adapted for cafe use. Staff offices and facilities will also be upgraded and replanned to provide areas for new public programs.

From more information about the redevelopment, visit www.slv.vic.gov.au/redevelopment-project

Images courtesy of the State Library of Victoria.

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