State Library Of Victoria

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Lonely Planet review

When the library opened in 1856, people entering were required to sign the visitors book, be over 14 years old and have clean hands. The only requirements today are that you check your bag at the door and maintain a bit of shush.

When the octagonal La Trobe Reading Room was completed in 1913, the reinforced-concrete dome was the largest of its kind in the world. Since 1959 the copper sheeting installed over the skylights had kept the room endearingly fusty. The sheeting was recently removed and natural light now illuminates the ornate plasterwork, oak desks and heavy chairs.

The library's collection includes hundreds of thousands of historical pictures, maps and manuscripts, and almost two million books, newspapers and serials. Various fascinating objects of historical interest are periodically displayed, and chessboards and pieces are provided for protracted playoffs.