(11 February 2016) State Library Victoria is Australia’s oldest free public library and the nation’s busiest with nearly 1.8 million visitors a year – more than the Library of Congress in Washington.
Originally called the Melbourne Public Library, State Library Victoria, has been home to some of Melbourne’s great institutions including the National Gallery of Victoria and Museum Victoria and has long been an engine room of creativity and learning.
160 years ago, Sir Redmond Barry, the library’s first president planned to create ‘a great emporium of learning and philosophy, of literature, science, and art’. Barry personally ordered the first 3,846 books and on 10 February 1856 stayed late into the night stacking the shelves to ensure the library would be ready for its grand opening.
State Library Victoria CEO Kate Torney said the vision of the library’s founders for a great emporium of learning continues today.
The announcement is here.
