Bendigo’s local community hub is a great place to learn about the Goldfields region, read a book at the café or bring the family for a day of educational fun.
Experience the open and dynamic space at the Bendigo Library, a community resource that invites visitors to explore, participate and relax. Peruse the library’s extensive collection of books, magazines, multimedia and digital resources or bring the kids to engage with local community events and activities. Catch up on work, learn about the Goldfields region’s history and culture or take a moment for yourself with a good book.
The Bendigo Library has stood in the city’s historic district since the 1950s, when the first municipal library was built. Plans to redevelop the library were finalized in the 2010s and the New Generation Bendigo Library was open by 2014. Admire its welcoming façade, which incorporates a contemporary architectural design with geometric shapes and bright-yellow panels. Walk up the front stairway and enter the building. Note the relaxed atmosphere of the community hub, which encompasses a series of informal and formal spaces.
Enjoy the quiet ambiance of the library’s collection area, which houses approximately 100,000 items. The library’s collection includes a range of different formats, from precious editions to digital resources. Make use of the library’s information screens to locate a resource or find your way around the space. Upstairs, you’ll find the Goldfields Research Centre, which holds a collection and databases relevant to local history.
Grab a seat at one of the library’s 28 public computers or connect to the free WiFi with your own device. If you are meeting with friends, rent a community-access meeting room or activity space. Find out what’s on at the performance space or check out the exhibition displays. Children can explore the play zone and listen to captivating audiobooks. The library’s on-site café is perfect for relaxing with a novel or magazine.
The Bendigo Library is located in Bendigo’s historic central precinct. Reach the library on foot from the Bendigo Train Station in a little over 10 minutes. Metered parking is available on adjacent streets. The library is open daily, except for Sundays, and it is free to enter. Register for a free library membership to make the most of its resources.
