Melbourne’s Bold Idea: A Free Library (1856)
Melbourne’s Bold Idea: A Free Library (1856)
Melbourne’s public library opened in 1856 with free admission. Reading there did not require a fee, a guarantor or a personal introduction.
The story behind the scene
The Melbourne Public Library opened on 11 February 1856. It offered access to a growing collection at a time when books were beyond the means of many readers.
There were still rules about who could enter, including a minimum age. Free access did not mean the admission rules were the same as today’s.
The Swanston Street site expanded over time and also accommodated the museum and art gallery. The later reading room dome became its best known interior feature.
What you’re seeing
The older photograph shows the library’s classical frontage and steps from Swanston Street. The modern view returns to the entrance, with trees, traffic and newer buildings changing its surroundings.
Why this photo matters
The building has expanded, but its public purpose is still recognisable. People continue to enter from Swanston Street to read and use a collection that began here in the gold rush years.
Historical photograph: photographer unknown, c.1860 to 1890, State Library Victoria, H2001.20336. Modern photograph: Julian Varricchio.
Sources: State Library Victoria history; State Library Victoria anniversary; History of the library building