City Library

City Library books new home on Bourke Street

City Library is getting a new home, moving (from Flinders Lane) to Bourke Street, Melbourne.

The new library will stretch across more than 1,200 square metres and three floors of the redeveloped City Village, transforming the historic former Commonwealth Bank Building into a modern civic hub.

New City Library

The City of Melbourne is turning the page on the beloved City Library - with a new home for the cherished institution at the centre of a major renewal of the CBD's civic precinct.

Around $13 million over two years is expected to be invested in creating a new modern, accessible, purpose-built library facility - relocating City Library from its current home on Flinders Lane to City Village on Bourke Street.

The new library would span more than 1,200 sqm across three floors of a redeveloped City Village - breathing new life into the historic former Commonwealth Bank Building and future-proofing the library by providing room to grow.

The redevelopment would also enable the upper levels of City Village to be used by the community over the coming years, including creating new meeting spaces, family health services and a revamped City Gallery.

The refurbishments would allow for the relocation of City Library before its current lease expires in June 2028.

The relocation of City Library is part of the City of Melbourne's Civic Precinct Renewal Project - a long-term plan to revitalise Council House 1 and 2 (CH1 and CH2) and City Village.

Alongside the redevelopment of City Village, the project includes a major renewal of CH1 and improvements to CH2 to deliver 7000 sqm of new community space and create modern, fit-for-purpose workplaces for Council staff.

Together, the three buildings currently house more than 1,100 staff and, due to their age and condition, cost more than $5 million a year to maintain.

Councillors approved the relocation of City Library at the 25 August 2026 Council meeting, alongside $1.9 million towards developing detailed plans for the entire project.

City Library's relocation is proposed to be funded and delivered in 2027-28, while funding to deliver future project stages will be considered through normal Council budget processes in the following years.

❊ What's On ❊

➼ Arts Spaces at City Library

❊ Address ❊

℅ Naarm
⊜ 253 Flinders Lane Melbourne 3001 View Map
✆ Telephone: 1800 695 427

❊ Web Links ❊

➼ www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

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Located near bustling Degraves Street and co-located with the Centre for Adult Education, City Library is Victoria's busiest public lending library. The library has become a major destination and meeting place for residents, workers, students and visitors. After 20 years, it has undergone a revamp - creating a space for Melburnians and visitors to borrow books, access technology and come together to share ideas. Address: 253 Flinders Lane Melbourne VIC 3000 City Library books new home on Bourke Street City Library is getting a new home, moving (from Flinders Lane) to Bourke Street, Melbourne. The new library will stretch across more than 1,200 square metres and three floors of the redeveloped City Village, transforming the historic former Commonwealth Bank Building into a modern civic hub. New City Library The City of Melbourne is turning the page on the beloved City Library - with a new home for the cherished institution at the centre of a major renewal of the CBD's civic precinct. Around $13 million over two years is expected to be invested in creating a new modern, accessible, purpose-built library facility - relocating City Library from its current home on Flinders Lane to City Village on Bourke Street. The new library would span more than 1,200 sqm across three floors of a redeveloped City Village - breathing new life into the historic former Commonwealth Bank Building and future-proofing the library by providing room to grow. The redevelopment would also enable the upper levels of City Village to be used by the community over the coming years, including creating new meeting spaces, family health services and a revamped City Gallery. The refurbishments would allow for the relocation of City Library before its current lease expires in June 2028. The relocation of City Library is part of the City of Melbourne's Civic Precinct Renewal Project - a long-term plan to revitalise Council House 1 and 2 (CH1 and CH2) and City Village. Alongside the redevelopment of City Village, the project includes a major renewal of CH1 and improvements to CH2 to deliver 7000 sqm of new community space and create modern, fit-for-purpose workplaces for Council staff. Together, the three buildings currently house more than 1,100 staff and, due to their age and condition, cost more than $5 million a year to maintain. Councillors approved the relocation of City Library at the 25 August 2026 Council meeting, alongside $1.9 million towards developing detailed plans for the entire project. City Library's relocation is proposed to be funded and delivered in 2027-28, while funding to deliver future project stages will be considered through normal Council budget processes in the following years.