State Library Victoria is gearing up to unveil its $88.1 million redevelopment, that will see the venue become an “events hub” for Melbourne.

Now taking bookings for events, the reimagined State Library Victoria boasts 11 event spaces, including conferencing spaces, heritage reading rooms and a gallery.

Among the newly revived space is the Ian Potter Queen’s Hall, which has been closed to the public since 1993. A reading room by day, at night the venue will transform into a grand event space, following a facelift that brings it back to its original grandeur. (Watch the venue being transformed below)

The first of the new spaces opened last September, with the re-opening of the Russell Street entrance and the unveiling of the Isabella Fraser Room.

On 24 October, the adjoining Victoria Gallery will open with its first exhibition, Velvet, Iron, Ashes.

State Library Victoria acting CEO Sarah Slade said the redevelopment will transform the venue into one of Victoria’s most important cultural institutions.

“This ambitious program will ensure the library continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of our vibrant, diverse community, both in Melbourne and in regional Victoria, today and into the future,” she said.

Following an extensive tender process in mid-2018, Showtime Event Group was appointed event partner and exclusive caterer for State Library Victoria, and for the past year has been preparing for the launch of the reimagined library in December.

“In June we held the very first wedding reception to ever take place in the La Trobe Reading Room, the first time in its 106 year history, and in July this year we transformed the Redmond Barry Reading Room for the Australian Premiere of ‘Come From Away’, the first time the venue has hosted the event,” said Showtime Event Group head of business development Troy Stasinowsky.

“The Library also hosted Nigella Week for MasterChef Australia, and we have some exciting events in the pipeline, including a series of industry events, boutique product exhibitions, and several business events.”

Watch the Redmond Barry Reading Room be transformed for an event: