State Library Victoria: Reorganising and Renewing Our Promise to Every Victorian

State Library Victoria’s commitment to the people of this state has never been stronger. As we look to the future, we remain steadfast in our role as an essential community service and the trusted guardian of Victoria’s extraordinary history.

The Library is reorganising to provide necessary change to its organisational structure and the way we work. Our changes are guided by a simple principle: to be able to best deliver what Victorians expect from their Library, now and into the future. There is surging demand for our services and there are new and obvious variations to the ways people learn, connect and create. A new structure will position us to meet these needs with greater focus, flexibility and impact.

The Library’s evolution is driven by a simple, powerful mission: to enrich the cultural, educational, social and economic lives of all Victorians.

As Victoria's major research and reference library, we are globally recognised as a world-class collecting institution – preserving, protecting and opening access to the stories, knowledge and cultural memory that shape who we are.

Our future is guided by the visionary spirit of founder Sir Redmond Barry. His belief in a great “emporium of learning”, free and open to all, was daring in its time – and it remains our compass today. That radical promise continues to define us.

Christine Christian, President of the Library Board of Victoria, said, “State Library Victoria was one of the first free public libraries in the world. Since our doors opened in 1856, we have grown and reinvented ourselves in step with the needs of the Victorian community. The Board is committed to ensuring that the Library retains a full complement of expertise to deliver core library services. We take our custodianship of the Library’s heritage and collections seriously, even as we reshape what a modern library must be for the generations of today and tomorrow. We are proud to stand as a cherished Victorian landmark and a hub of community life.”

In 2024–25, more than 2.8 million people visited the Library – mostly Victorians. Increasingly, people from all walks of life are turning to the Library not only for study and research, but as a welcoming place to learn, connect and discover, and to be inspired through our diverse collections and our cultural and educational programs.

State Library Victoria is reorganising with purpose and passion – honouring our past, serving the present and shaping a brighter future for every Victorian.