‘Transformed’ SLV to open in early December

State Library Victoria (SLV) has announced it will open its ‘transformed’ library on 5 December, following a five-year, $88 million redevelopment.

The redevelopment includes a suite of new spaces and services, increasing public space by 40% and seating by 70%. New or redeveloped spaces include the Pauline Gandel Children’s Quarter; the Victoria Gallery, a new exhibition space; Hansen Hall, a new collaborative space; Ian Potter Queen’s Hall, a reading room by day and an events venue by night; the Conversation Quarter, a public forum for lectures, conferences and workshops; and the Ideas Quarter, which includes co-working space for early stage start-ups and small businesses.

Other new features include the redeveloped Swanston Street entrance, which has a new foyer with digital technology to keep visitors up to date with what’s happening at the library, and the ground floor quad, which connects to the library’s four activity courtyards and an information centre.

SLV acting CEO Sarah Slade said, ‘For 163 years, the library has been a democratic place for people of all ages and backgrounds to gather, learn and grow. People are at the heart of everything we do and we’re delighted that a new generation of visitors—be they children, students, creatives, researchers or entrepreneurs—will have access to a range of world-leading spaces and offerings in our transformed library.’

Category: Library news