Speaker: Fiona Malcolm, Library Manager The Melbourne Athenaeum
Topic: The Melbourne Athenaeum (originally known as the Melbourne Mechanics’ Institution) has been operating in its current premises in Collins Street since 1842, housing over time the city’s oldest lending library, a museum, a cinema , a theatre and other facilities. The library itself commenced as a collection of donated books in a rented house at the corner of Queen and Bourke Street.
I began when Collins had stumps
Full moon was needed, to miss a bump.
Wisdom stands in a niche on high
Watching over, with crowds to my seats,
But at my heart a library beats.
I serve knowledge for all
Standing for time immemorial
Seek me out, an artisans’ place
Books and music a treasured space
(Riddle courtesy of The PMI Victorian History Library)