State Library Victoria turns 165 years old, Melbourne documented since 1854

Victoria’s iconic Melbourne library is turning 165. Take a look behind the scenes and lesser known secrets including ghosts and a gun safe.

State Library regular Isaac 4 getting in some serious reading with 165 books from the shelves of the Dome Reading Room. Picture: David Caird

The State Library Victoria is celebrating 165 years since being established as a founding institution in Melbourne in 1854.

Originally called the Melbourne Public Library, it is Australia’s oldest public library and one of the first free libraries in the world.

State Library Victoria chief executive Kate Torney said while 20 years ago the future of public libraries was uncertain, the pandemic had shown their importance — which would persist in the post-pandemic world.

“Twenty to 25 years ago a lot of people predicted the demise of public libraries and yet libraries have never been busier … pre-pandemic (the library) was getting 5000 people in the door every single day,” she said. “No matter what you want to do, there is no barrier to entry. Everyone is welcome.”

The beautiful domed reading room and ancient books are not the library’s only wow factors.

The facility also has a gun safe to store a gun belonging to notorious bushranger Ned Kelly.

And it holds one book with an estimated value of $12m: John James Audubon’s The Birds of America. Containing life-size paintings of birds, it was acquired by the library’s first president, Sir Redmond Barry.

Then there is the potential ghost: numerous staff and visitors say they have seen a spooky figure among the stacks of books.

State Library Victoria has documented the history of Melbourne since opening in 1854,
20 years after settlement, through manuscripts, letters and artwork —
a practice that has continued through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Harrison Corser (5) with the biggest book in the State Library Victoria’s collection 'The birds of America' by John James Audubon (1827-1838).

Reading room at the Public Library. Picture taken in 1945.

A collection showcasing 19th century Melbourne through classic brands which was largely hidden in the State Library of Victoria was revealed last year by a law academic in an award-winning new book.

The book has more than 70 prints from the collection on lithographs telling the story of how advertising can capture a city and mix with technology and art.