Works start on Development Victoria's State Library of Victoria transformation project

Work is kicking off on the $88.1 million project to transform State Library Victoria following the latest multi-million dollar donation to the project and more than $60 million from the Victorian Government.

Philanthropists Jane Hansen and Paul Little have made a $3.5 million donation through the Hansen Little Foundation to reinvigorate two of the library’s key heritage spaces and meet the needs of current and future generations.

The first of these spaces, Hansen Hall, will provide Victorians – especially the many students who visit the Library – with a free, technology-filled space where they can enjoy all the benefits of the Library’s resources and support.

The Hansen Little Foundation’s gift will also fund the Library’s new Conversation Quarter. The high-tech venue will be equipped with two-way digital broadcast technology to take library events and programs to schools and homes around Victoria and beyond.

The Hansen Little Foundation donation is not only significant in its own right, but it also sees the Library meet its initial fundraising target of $27.7 million.

The Library’s successful fundraising campaign has seen people from across the community join leading philanthropists to contribute to the project, alongside the Government’s $60.4 million investment.

Built have been awarded the contract for construction, which will now start. The project is expected to be completed in 2020.

Quotes attributable to Paul Little

“The Conversation Quarter embraces the future of learning and enables everyone – wherever they are – to engage with big questions and big ideas.”

“It will stream live educational programming to children in regional and remote communities and connect Melbourne in real-time to organisations like NASA, the Bolshoi Ballet and the New York Public Library.”

Quote attributable to Jane Hansen

“Where else but a library do you find a free place to study and people ready to support your education? By working together, we can help more people achieve their learning goals, in an inspiring environment.”