State Library Victoria
Melbourne, Australia. Founded 1854.
- Type: Public
- City: Melbourne
- Country: Australia
- Founded: 1854
Overview
Founded in 1854 as the Melbourne Public Library, it was one of the first free public libraries in the world. Its octagonal La Trobe Reading Room opened in 1913 beneath a dome that was then the largest reinforced concrete dome in the world, with desks radiating from a central station like the spokes of a wheel. The collection runs to millions of items and includes the homemade armour of bushranger Ned Kelly, displayed alongside documents from his life and trial.
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