State Library Victoria

**Our history** State Library Victoria, home to the State Collection, is a place where millions are welcomed into a ‘great emporium of learning’ each year, just as our founders envisaged over 160 years ago. Established in 1854 as the [Melbourne Public Library](https://guides.slv.vic.gov.au/slvhistory), State Library Victoria is Australia's oldest public library and one of the first free public libraries in the world. We opened our doors in 1856 as ‘the people’s university’, and every day since have strived to be a library for all in a changing world, where our community can gather to learn, discover, read, write, think, reflect, create, debate, inspire and engage with civil society. We are a place for everyone – culture lovers and knowledge seekers, students and scholars, creatives and entrepreneurs, frequent visitors and awe-inspired tourists alike. The idea of a public library, open to all, was radical in the mid-19th century, when literacy and education were the preserve of the privileged few. Our founders believed that access to knowledge was critical for the development of a civil and prosperous society. Today we remain just as committed to foundational ideals of universal education, social justice, freedom of expression, sustainable communities, economic growth and participative democracy. **Our mission** We are Victoria’s library of record, home to the State Collection, free to access and open to all. We enrich the cultural, educational, social and economic lives of all Victorians. **Our vision** Our ambitious agenda for the next four years will see the State Library globally recognised as a major destination for stimulating cultural experiences, a trusted place for contemporary debates and community-driven collecting, and a gateway to leading-edge digital experiences that invite new and creative ways to use the collection. Our plan is built around five strategies: to be a must-do destination, to create a compelling digital experience, to strengthen diverse communities, to become an active voice for learning, knowledge and culture; and to deliver innovative, sustainable operations. The community recognises State Library Victoria as the trusted and dynamic cultural custodian of the rich heritage of Victoria, ensuring access for all to: - better understand our past - inform our present, and - inspire our future. This vision, as well as our goals, values and strategic direction from 2022 until 2026, our outlined in our Strategic Plan. [Find out more about the Library's strategic plan](https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/about-us/governance/strategic-plan).