State Library Victoria has embarked on a five-year redevelopment funded by a $55.4 million budget allocation from the Victorian Government and $28 million in philanthropic contributions.
Scheduled to be completed over a five year period, the redevelopment project will refurbish and renew the historic Queen’s Hall (including a new rooftop garden terrace) and create new centres for digital media, entrepreneurship and an e-Town Hall initiative to connect regional public libraries throughout Victoria.
The redevelopment will also reopen the public entrance to State Library Victoria on Russell Street and create new exhibition spaces, new education and learning facilities for families, children and young people.
“We are very grateful for the Victorian Government’s significant contribution to the redevelopment,” said John Wylie, President of the Library Board of Victoria. “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.”
Since 1856, State Library Victoria has been a place for learning, a place for connection and a place for inspiration for many generations. Today, it is Australia’s busiest public library, with almost 1.8 million visitors each year and a further 3.3 million people connecting online.
This redevelopment project will create inspiring learning opportunities for families and visitors, and support the library to connect with more people across the state and the globe. It will build a better library for today and create a legacy of facilities and programs that can cope with the requirements of tomorrow and beyond.
Acting CEO and State Librarian, Ms Justine Hyde, noted that access to information is a key part of the library’s mission and strategy. “This redevelopment is all about the library’s next phase – it will reach more Victorians to enable them to benefit from the resources, expertise, facilities and digital experiences that the library can provide.”
“The transformation will greatly expand the library’s offering making it useful and inspirational in new ways and to more people.”
For more information, visit: www.slv.vic.gov.au/redevelopment-project for details.
Image: State Library Victoria at night – photo by Anthony Agius (CC-BY-SA-2.5)