Melburnians have just days left to experience one of the city’s most popular free exhibitions before it closes this weekend.
The State Library has revealed that close to one million people have visited its blockbuster World of the Book exhibition over the past 12 months, with the milestone expected to officially be reached before the exhibition closes on Sunday 17 May.
Now in its 20th year, World of the Book has become Australia’s longest-running and most visited book exhibition, drawing huge crowds to the library’s iconic Dome Galleries with hundreds of rare and historic works spanning thousands of years.
Each edition is completely reimagined, bringing together treasures from the State Collection ranging from ancient cuneiform tablets dating back to 2050 BCE through to modern literature and illustrated works.
The current exhibition features more than 300 items, including medieval manuscripts, rare books, prints and artworks linked to figures including Homer, Hokusai and Margaret Atwood.
The latest visitation numbers have already surpassed the library’s previous annual exhibition attendance record of 842,614 visitors, also set by World of the Book last year.
Over two decades, the exhibition has showcased more than 5,000 items from the State Collection to nearly six million visitors, all through free public access.
The exhibition’s popularity also comes as State Library Victoria celebrates its 170th anniversary in 2026, with overall attendance across the library continuing to surge thanks to major free exhibitions including Rebel Heart, Treaty and Creative Acts.
Acting CEO Alistair Mytton said the exhibition’s ongoing success reflected the enduring appeal of books and storytelling.
“One million visitors in 12 months is a remarkable milestone for World of the Book. After more than 20 years, this iconic exhibition continues to resonate so deeply with Victorians and visitors of all ages because it brings the State Collection to life in a way that is both inspiring and accessible. State Library Victoria is proud to offer this experience free to everyone.”
The current edition closes Sunday 17 May, with a brand-new version reopening on 4 July.
Further information is available via the State Library Victoria website.
