The Melbourne Athenaeum Library will be closed on Saturday April 25 for the ANZAC Day public holiday.

The library will be open regular hours on Friday April 24 and Monday April 27.

The Melbourne Athenaeum Library will be closed on Saturday April 25 for the ANZAC Day public holiday.

The library will be open regular hours on Friday April 24 and Monday April 27.

News and Events

Friday 12 June 2026
Music: Affinity Quartet and Friends

BOOKING INFORMATION HERE

Affinity Quartet’s performances have been praised by critics for their ‘flawless technique’ and ‘emotional breadth’. Now entering their second decade, Affinity Quartet is this year focusing on collaborations with some...read more
Friday 19 June 2026
Music: Secret Trio

BOOKING INFORMATION HERE

Secret Trio is the latest project from guitarist and composer Robbie Melville, and members and their guests will be able to enjoy it on Friday 19th June. Featuring Sophie Dunn...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
Frogsong / Melissa Manning
General Fiction
Kaisa : a reckoning with love / by Samuel Thawley
General Fiction
Look what you made me do / John Lanchester
General Fiction
The calamity club / Kathryn Stockett
General Fiction
Angel down / Daniel Kraus
Crime Fiction
Songwriters on the run / Robert Forster
Crime Fiction
Devil's breath / Jill Johnson
Crime Fiction
No welcome home / Daniel Pollock
Crime Fiction
Miss Winter in the library with a knife / Martin Edwards
Crime Fiction
Click / Sarah Bailey
Non Fiction
Touching the sky / Deborah Lawrie
Non Fiction
Decoding the hand / Alison Bashford
Non Fiction
Big sky / Bruce Pascoe and Professor Ray Norris
Non Fiction
The difficult ghost / Leila Guerriero
Non Fiction
Money : a story of humanity / David McWilliams
Other Genres
Once we were wildlife / Inga Simpson
Other Genres
The bluff / Joanna Jenkins
Other Genres
Red star rebels / Amie Kaufman
Other Genres
Six weeks by the sea / Paula Byrne
Other Genres
Bad moon / Jodi Taylor
Ebooks
A Charm of Finches / Sarah Yarwood-Lovett
Ebooks
The Duchess of Drury Lane / Freda Lightfoot
Ebooks
Unstuck / Dr Jan Eppingstall
Ebooks
Murder Among the Pyramids / Sara Rosett
Ebooks
A Case of Mice and Murder / Sally Smith

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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