First Stop in Melbs
Where do a couple of nerds go in one of the coolest cities in Australia? Well, the State Library of Victoria, of course.
The Latrobe Reading Room at the State Library of Victoria
Melbourne is known for many things. Great food, some of the best shopping in Australia, lots of culture (museums, theatre, street art), sports and a thriving coffee culture (the last two are kinda lost on me…I’m an Earl Grey drinker and don’t really follow any sportsing teams). I have been to Melbourne many times over the years, but this visit was for two nights. Mostly as a brief urban stop over after a few days of hiking in Tasmania. We arrived to grey morning skies and piled into the Skybus into the city.
After a thankfully early check in, we made a beeline to the State Library of Victoria.
The Library was established in 1854 making it the oldest public library in Australia. The State Library in my home of NSW is technically older, having been established in 1826, but was a private collected until 1869 when the Sydney Free Public Library was established. I guess the NSW/Victoria rivaly extends beyond sports and coffee.
Exhibitions at the State Library
This library has an ever changing display of free exhibitions and while we were there the Handmade Universe: From craft to code and the spaces between spoke to my soul, both the crafty side and the nerdy side. We were lucky enough to catch it before it closes in Feb 2023. Melbourne artist and engineer Sarah Spencer’s knitted star map Stargazing takes up most of the back wall. This work which represents Western constellations, uses 15 kilos of wool and took more than 100 hours to knit using a hacked 1980’s knitting machine. Viewers can control the 842 lights to change the starry display.
On permanent display in it’s own dedicated room is the handmade armor of the notorious bush outlaw Ned Kelly.
This armor has become a recognisable image depicted in Australian art, music and the highest accolade in Australian culture, a road side attraction locally known as the ‘big thing’ . Other Australian Big things include The Big Prawn in Ballina, The Big Banana in Coffs Harbour. and The Big Merino in Goulburn. But that’s a road trip for another post.
Did I mention both of these (and most of) the exhibitions at the Library are free? This is a great and thrifty way to find a few hours of air conditioned respite during one of Melbourne’s notoriously sweaty summer days or a rainy one like we found.
Ribbon of Words
And finally, we spent time wandering around the readers and other tourists in the Latrobe Reading Room. Just above the stacks lining the walls is a ‘ribbon of words’ etched into the walls. The quotes are about learning and reading and libraries (oh my). The ribbon is designed to ‘an inspirational feature of the Domed Reading Room for all.
My favourite comes from Boori Monty Pryor, “Stories are the way to feel you belong”.
The State Library of Victoria is open 10 to 6 daily and can be found at 328 Swanston Street, Melbourne, Victoria.
