Australia’s first public library was founded in 1854. Within two years, this Neoclassical design by Joseph Reed opened to accommodate their initial 3,800 titles plus a museum and art gallery. Wings were added as the State Library of Victoria’s collection swelled to over two million items. In 1968, the central library became the sole tenant of this Swanston Street landmark. Extensive renovations occurred from 1990 through 2015. In the center of the Forecourt (on right) is a statue of Sir Redmond Barry, a Victoria judge in the 19th century. Behind it is a copy of Emmanuel Frémiet’s Joan of Arc (Jeanne d’Arc) erected in 1907.
