State Library: Bookings fill quickly for limited spots under COVID-safe plan

Forget trying to score a table at Chin Chin – the State Library has become one of Melbourne’s most exclusive bookings. Here’s how to get a spot.

State Library of Victoria has reopened to the general public with limited spots available as COVID-19 restrictions remain. Picture: David Caird

A table at the State Library has become one of Melbourne’s most exclusive bookings.

Bookworms are flooding back to the newly reopened space, but limited COVID-safe capacity means landing one of the available 389 daily spots is a bit like finding a needle in a haystack.

Before the pandemic the library would see 5000 people come through each day, now sessions are separated into a morning and afternoon visits, with a complete closure over lunch for thorough cleaning.

Chief executive Kate Torney said it was a reminder how essential the space was to its fanbase.

“It's a humble reminder of how important the library is to so many people and the different roles it plays. Reopening this time that has been magnified,” she said.

“It’s been great to have Victorians come back and explore the new spaces like the Pauline Gandel Children’s Quarter and the Ian Potter Queen’s Hall which was the original reading room of the library and opened in December, it truly is one of Victoria’s most spectacular rooms.

“To have it empty for so long was heartbreaking, but it made the reopening very special.

“Bookings are really busy, we had a number of days where we have been booked out – people should book ahead.”

The 389 spots are spread out with 100 people allowed in the dome and 60 in the Ian Potter Queen’s Hall at any given time.

To reduce movement within the space visitors must ask a staff member to access collection items for them.

The central hub of the library, The Quad, is booked out for the next 3 days straight with Sunday morning slots the last available this week.

To book a reservation to work, study or read in the library there is a significant wait on spots.

As of today the La Trobe Reading Room home to the infamous dome and octagonal design has a capacity of 100 people at a time.

In December the Library opened all spaces after an $88 million redevelopment, but with COVID-19 closures many Victorians have not visited the new and improved space.

The library is now open seven day a week from 10am to 1.30pm and 2.30pm to 6pm.

Visitors can walk up on the day but are advised to book online in advance, for more information head to slv.vic.gov.au