Get ready to explore the Pauline Gandel Children’s Quarter at State Library Victoria!
Children aged up to 12 can engage in reading, learning, and playing at this fun and innovative children’s library. With a two-storey castle, craft area, reading nooks, and a diverse collection of children’s books, this free space provides a welcoming and educational experience for families.
Visiting State Library Victoria Children’s Quarter
State Library of Victoria is Australia’s oldest and busiest public library and it reopened its doors in 2019 after a 5 year, $88.1 million redevelopment.
Inside you’ll discover beautiful learning spaces, programs and services, including the wonderful Pauline Gandel Children’s Quarter. This innovative space for children and families used to house the popular State Library of Victoria Play Pod.
The courtyard is one of four ‘quarters’ branching out from The Quad, on the ground floor of the Library. The Quad connects all four of the library’s activity courtyards, with the information centre at its heart.
The Children’s Quarter has been transformed into a stunning, two-level space that takes advantage of the building’s airy ceilings. There are different ‘zones’ within the space, although everything is relaxed and fluid.
In the corner is the storytelling area, which hosts free weekly storytime sessions.
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The space fits up to 30 children and adults, so it’s quite a bit smaller than what used to be used for Baby Bounce and other storytime events. Apparently it’s been deliberately designed to be a more intimate experience.
Choose from TEN weekly storytime sessions, with different sessions aimed at 0-18 months (Baby Bounce), 18 months to 3 years (Toddler Tales ) and 3-5 years (Storytime).
Next to the storytelling corner is a drop in craft area for young kids…
….a wet-area ‘maker space’ for drop-in and ticketed sessions for kids of all ages…
….a junior readers reading area aimed at 5-7 years olds where Lady AB also discovers the cutest narwhal cuddly toy ever….
….and books and play aimed at under 5s.
I like how the areas under the stairs have been used as hidey-holes for imaginative and creative play.
Then there’s the soft-play building blocks, great for preschool kids.
We also love the wombat and elephant sculptures which are bookshelves as well as comfy seating!
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I particularly like the wombat – I think it resembles Bruce Whatley’s illustration of Jackie French’s classic book Diary of a Wombat!
On the ground level you’ll also find toilets (including a double adult and child toilet), change tables, breastfeeding cubicles with curtains and a microwave. Food and drink are permitted for babies and toddlers.
For everyone’s convenience pram parking is also available on the ground floor.
Upstairs is accessed via stairs or a lift and ramp.
It’s aimed at kids 8-12 years and features lots of worktables and spaces for doing your homework, places to snuggle up with a book while overlooking the courtyard…
…LEGO play (occasionally, when supervised by a State Library of Victoria staff member)….
…a browsing collection of more than 4000 children’s books with a focus on Australian and Victoria authors.
Bookworm Lady AB is in heaven!
We spend so much time in the Children’s Quarter that we run out of time to visit the other areas of the State Library of Victoria.
Other spaces worth visiting include:
- a revitalised Swanston Street entrance, featuring an open foyer and digital technology space;
- The Ian Potter Queen’s Hall, the Library’s original reading room and one of Melbourne’s most breathtaking heritage spaces, which will act as a reading room by day and an events venue by night. A fleet of conservationists restored ornate gilt and floral decorations in the room’s ceilings and along the columns;
- Hansen Hall, a space to meet, work and connect;
- Conversation Quarter, a state-of-the-art public forum for lectures, conferences and workshops;
- Ideas Quarter, home to StartSpace, a co-working space for start-ups and small businesses;
- Create Quarter, with spaces for group work and school programs and a calendar of pop-up talks and events; and
- Cowen Gallery exhibition space.
I LOVE the State Library of Victoria and the emphasis they’ve placed in nurturing the next generation of readers and learners in the Pauline Gandel Children’s Quarter. Don’t miss it next time you’re in Melbourne CBD!
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