Melbourne Public Library

Great view!
Sometimes I haven’t been treated so well by the staff there with policies regarding the computer, but I was new to the library and didn’t know how to reserve a station, etc. They treated me like I was a complete idiot.
I like how you can reserve books using their website for pick up later. Very helpful.

This library has been here for years. Great resource library. Big and open. Does need a good cleaning though. It smells overly bookish and not sure how much it is cleaned.

A library
with
a park
The very first library in Melbourne was started back in 1918 and like lots of libraries of that time period the books were just shoved in the back of a local store. And like lots of early libraries the books ended up moving around a lot to places that just happen to be convenient at the time.
Finally in 1924 a real building was construction to store the books but as the area grew so did the need for a larger library. So in 1954 another building was built and over the years additions were stuck on the original edifice but it became obvious that a larger and more permanent answer had to be found.
So in 1989 the old library was demolished and the present library was built. It is a magnificent place, aesthetically pleasing while having all the resources expected of a modern library.
Spacious and clean with lots of comfy places to sit and read or do research, the library is next to a lovely park and great views can be seen from many windows. Cool art is scatter about and interesting things to look at are everywhere. Of course since it is new the library doesn’t have any historic beauty or quaint old antiques and since it is so large it doesn’t have the friendliness and intimacy of a small place but for a large, new library it is stunning.
The library does have a security guard in the front but he was pleasant and unobtrusive. Some skanky looking fellow hit me up for money as I was going in and then after I left some equally malodorous fellow also asked me for change out in the parking lot but that happens. Melbourne has a library that is a great example that modern libraries don’t have to be just giant boxes for books.