The Melbourne Athenaeum Library will be closed for the holiday period from 4:00pm on Wednesday 18 December and will reopen at 10:00am on Tuesday 7 January.
No books will be due during this period but there will be a returns box available on the landing whenever the building is open. Ebooks will continue to be available during this period through OverDrive and the Libby app.
We wish all our members a very happy festive season.
Much of our city’s standing as Australia’s cultural capital can be traced back to the Melbourne Athenaeum and the role it played in the early promotion and development of music, visual arts, literature and theatre.
Events Program
The Melbourne Athenaeum Library provides a remarkable ambience for intimate live music performances, author talks and book launches.
Some of Melbourne’s most acclaimed classical, jazz and contemporary artists have enjoyed performing amongst the bookshelves, with Inventi Ensemble artistic director Ben Opie saying that the musicians also enjoy the chance to chat with the audience after a performance.
Emerging and established writers also love the historic setting for reading and discussing their work.
Event performances are included in a Melbourne Athenaeum membership and members’ guests can attend for a nominal fee.
Late Melbourne Athenaeum Inc. President Don Smith was passionate about music and instrumental in attracting a wide array of contemporary musicians to perform at the Library. Don took great delight in making contact with musicians from around Australia and overseas and inviting them to play, and he would emcee the events with such enthusiasm that attendees couldn't help but be brought along for the ride. The musicians loved his passionate support and were always keen to return. Don is pictured with Jamaican ska singer Stranger Cole, who performed at the Library in 2022.
