Due to refurbishment work being done on our historic lift, the Melbourne Athenaeum Library will be closed on Saturday August 15.

The library will be open regular hours on Friday August 14 and Monday August 17.

Due to refurbishment work being done on our historic lift, the Melbourne Athenaeum Library will be closed on Saturday August 15.

The library will be open regular hours on Friday August 14 and Monday August 17.

News and Events

Thursday 20 August 2026
Author Talk: Maxine Beneba Clarke

BOOKING INFORMATION HERE

 

Join author Maxine Beneba Clarke as she reflects on a career that has spanned spoken word, poetry, memoir, non-fiction, journalism, fiction and writing for theatre. Maxine is the author of...read more
Friday 21 August 2026
Music: Flinders Quartet

BOOKING INFORMATION HERE

Celebrating 26 years on the world stage, Flinders Quartet is one of Australia's most celebrated ensembles. The quartet is known for its insightful interpretations and depth of understanding, particularly in...read more
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Library

A range of cultural activities are held in the beautiful surrounds of the subscription library.
The library holds a 30,000 strong collection and hosts regular music performances, talks, book and screen clubs, and artist and writer-in-residence programs. Members enjoy the historic atmosphere and quiet haven in a bustling city.

Browse the collection

New Acquisitions

General Fiction
The Thornbacks / Chloe Wilson
General Fiction
Juno loves Legs / Karl Geary
General Fiction
Yesteryear / Caro Claire Burke
General Fiction
The three-arched bridge / Ismail Kadare
General Fiction
The Parisian chapter / Janet Skeslien Charles
Crime Fiction
Dead man's shoes / Marion Todd
Crime Fiction
Dark objects / Simon Toyne
Crime Fiction
Death on the Rhine / Vivian Conroy
Crime Fiction
The Picasso ransom / A.T. Prewett
Crime Fiction
The double turn / Carol Carnac
Non Fiction
Regime change / Maggie Haberman, Jonathan Swan
Non Fiction
Mozart's starling / Lyanda Lynn Haupt
Non Fiction
How many more women? / Jennifer Robinson, Keina Yoshida
Non Fiction
Fault lines / edited by Seumas Spark and Christina Twomey
Non Fiction
Sisters under fire / Colin Burgess
Other Genres
The last Mandarin / Louise Penny and Mellissa Fung
Other Genres
The longest memory / Fred D'Aguiar
Other Genres
The Austen girls / Lucy Worsley
Other Genres
The Diemenois / J.W. Clennett
Other Genres
Platform decay / Martha Wells
Ebooks
Open Carry / Marc Cameron
Ebooks
Murder On Friday Street / Russell Cooper
Ebooks
Nowhere Near Respectable / Mary Jo Putney
Ebooks
No Strangers Here / Carlene O'Connor
Ebooks
A Match Made in Bed / Cathy Maxwell

About us

The Melbourne Athenaeum enriches Melbourne’s cultural and educational life by fostering public engagement with the arts and culture, and supporting creativity.
A Management Committee of volunteers is responsible for the organisation’s governance. Every member joining the Melbourne Athenaeum becomes a custodian of a rich part of the city’s living history.
history image
State Library Victoria, www.slv.vic.gov.au, Alfred Martin Ebsworth, June 29, 1885.

History

The story that unfolds here is about a unique organisation that continues to contribute to the city’s culture in a building first completed in 1842.
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