While we usually think of libraries as great repositories of information, we don't normally consider them as tourist attractions. One exception to this is the State Library of Victoria (originally known as the Melbourne Public Library). Located in the heart of Melbourne's central business district, it opened in 1856 (following two years of construction) and was modeled after the British Museum and the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.. We immediately saw that it's front lawn is a popular lunch-spot for local workers and students from the nearby Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT). At the time of its construction (1909 to 1913), the magnificent dome of the La Trobe Reading Room was the largest reinforced concrete dome in the world. The octagonal shape of the Reading Room itself allows over 320 visitors the opportunity to peruse some of the two million plus books stored here, and the surrounding balconies house the two permanent collections; "The Changing Face of Victoria" (paintings, drawings, and photographs of the evolution of this part of Australia), and "The Mirror of the World" ( a history of books). One of the finest Rare Book collections in the world are contained within the State Library of Victoria, including original folios of Captain James Cook. We enjoyed the great opportunity of a private tour of the Rare Book section, during which we were able to view, up close, a first edition of "Alice in Wonderland" , as well as to handle some of the books in the James Emerson Collection. What a thrill!
Enjoying lunch on the front lawn of the State Library of Victoria is a popular past-time.
The octagonal shape of the La Trobe is aesthetically pleasing and has a capacity of over three hundred visitors.
Commissioned (1862) by George Coppin for the facade of the new Apoolo Music Hall , this Shakespeare Window was donated to the library in 1960 by Coppin's daughter, Lucy Coppin.
The 480 glass panes of the dome over the La Trobe Reading Room is 105 feet wide. When first constructed, this was the largest reinforced concrete dome in the world.
"The Changing Face of Victoria" is one on the permanent collections on display along one of the balconies overlooking the main reading room...
...and provides some historical perspective about the evolution of the communities in this part of Australia, including the remnants of this 1803 water cask...
... As well as numerous paintings, drawings, and photos of life over the years. This 1870 photo by Fred Kruger depicts 19th century aboriginal life in Victoria.
The other permanent collection on display is a history of books, called "The Mirror of the World". This 2050 B.C. Cuneiform tablet is part of that collection.
The highlight of our visit to the library was a private tour of the Rare Book section, during which we had the opportunity to view this first edition of "Alice in Wonderland"...
....and its glorious illustrations. What a thrill!
We also got to explore the James Emerson rare book collection. The library staff were unbelievably gracious I. Showing us around.
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