Plan a class visit

The Library’s school programs run every half-hour Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 4.30pm. All learning experiences are developed to complement the AusVELS curriculum, and are supported by teaching and learning resources on our ergo website.

To book a Library excursion for your primary or secondary students, complete the Education booking request form at least four weeks before your intended visit.

Bus parking

The Library's entrance is the Russell Street Welcome Zone, on Russell Street. Free, temporary bus parking is available in the 30-minute bus parking bay adjacent to Door 3, outside the Library’s conference centre and theatrette, on La Trobe Street.

Note: Please warn students to be alert when stepping off the bus, as they will need to cross a bike lane to reach the footpath.

Day parking for buses is available on Russell Street, either just north of La Trobe Street or just north of Bourke Street. Additional parking is available on Mackenzie Street, near the corner of Russell and La Trobe streets.

Accessibility requirements

The education team may be able to adapt tours and workshops to meet the learning and accessibility needs of your students. If you or your students require additional assistance, provide details when you book or let us know by phoning 03 8664 7555.

Note: special development schools and English-language schools are entitled to a 40% discount for groups of fewer than 15 booked into school programs.

On the day of your visit

• Groups undertaking a workshop or tour: an education officer will meet you outside the Russell Street Gateway Zone entrance five minutes before your booked program starts. If you're late, let us know by phoning 03 8664 7555.
• Self-guiding and study groups: the lead teacher will need to register their group with a front-of-house officer in the Russell Street Gateway Zone. To assist us to identify self-guiding groups, adults are asked to wear the orange stickers provided following registration.
  Note: Self-guiding groups should be no larger than 12 students with an adult to supervise. Only one group should visit an exhibition or study space at a time; groups may not be able to enter certain parts of the Library if an organised tour or school program is taking place.

To encourage an enjoyable and memorable visit, please support your students to maintain the Library’s quiet atmosphere. Students remain the responsibility of teachers at all times.

State Library Victoria is a Child Safe Organisation. Learn more about how we are working to ensure the wellbeing of children visiting the Library.

Food & baggage

Food and drink are not allowed inside the Library; see our food and drink policy for more information. If the weather is fine, the Library's front lawn and forecourt is recommended for recess and lunch breaks.

School bags can be stored free of charge in our secure lockers at the beginning of workshop and tour programs. Self-guiding students will need to carry their schoolbags into the Library; see our baggage policy for more information.

Cameras are permitted provided a flash isn't used.

Terms & conditions

The maximum group size for on-site school programs is 25 students. The maximum size for outreach programs varies (please consult the booking information for individual outreach programs). Multiple groups may attend on-site programs at the same time; check the student capacity for your preferred program on the course web page.

Bookings must be made at least one month in advance. Upon submitting this booking request form, you will receive an automated email with details of your request. We will contact you within five working days to confirm your booking.

Cancellation less than three weeks before the date of your booking will incur a fee of 50 per cent of the amount payable for the booking; this applies to onsite and outreach programming. Where excursion funding has been applied (program waiver or transport reimbursement offer), the cancellation fee will be applied at the regular (non-discounted) program rate.

Non-attendance at a booked onsite program will incur a fee of 100 per cent of the amount payable for the booking. Where excursion funding has been applied (program waiver or transport reimbursement offer), the fee will be applied at the regular (non-discounted) program rate. Cancellation of an outreach program on the day of the booking will also incur a fee of 100 per cent of the amount payable.

The provision of onsite excursion funding (program fee waiver or transport reimbursement) is dependent on attendance at booked programs.

All workshop and tour bookings must be accompanied by a school purchase order.

We regret that changes to tax invoices cannot be made and refunds will not be paid.