The best places to study in Melbourne
The 10 libraries and study cafés in Melbourne best suited to a long session with a laptop or a textbook, led by State Library Victoria, narrm ngarrgu Library and Family Services and Toorak South Yarra Library.
Ranked by work score: Wi‑Fi, power, seating, hours, what reviews say about laptops and noise, and who recommends working there. One branch per chain.
01State Library Victoria
library328 Swanston Street★ 4.8Wi‑FiWork 100
State Library Victoria is a Melbourne landmark opened in 1856, occupying an entire city block with a grand domed reading room. The building is architecturally striking with high ceilings and open spaces that feel both spacious and calm.
various reading rooms (including the photogenic sweep of the La Trobe Reading Room) to The Quad, the student-friendly information centre. The vibe throughout is reliably low-key, with a focus on productivity.
Broadsheet MelbourneMay 2021 02narrm ngarrgu Library and Family Services
library141 Therry Street★ 4.6Work 100
Opened in November, the comfortable, ergonomic desk space shows Narrm Ngarrgu has been set up with remote workers in mind.
The Guardian AustraliaMarch 2024 03Toorak South Yarra Library
library340 Toorak RdWi‑FiWork 100
Some of the libraries a tram ride from the city are open til 8pm most weeknights (not usually Friday nights) - such as St Kilda library, Toorak/South Yarra.
r/melbourneMay 2026 04RMIT University Carlton Library
library23 Cardigan Street★ 4.8Wi‑FiWork 100
RMIT University Carlton Library is a public library on level 3 of the university's Carlton campus. Reviewers describe it as a bright, open space that is calm and quiet, making it good for focused study.
05Law Library Victoria
library210 William Street★ 4.6Wi‑FiWork 100
Law Library Victoria sits within the Victorian Supreme Court in central Melbourne. The octagonal reading room features dark timber walls, leather-bound books, and intricate architectural detail bathed in natural light.
06RMIT Swanston Library
library360 Swanston Street★ 4.5Wi‑FiWork 100
RMIT Swanston Library is a large, modern public library on level 5 of the university's city campus building on Swanston Street. Reviewers consistently praise its quiet atmosphere and comfortable study environment.
07City Library
library253 Flinders Lane★ 4.5PowerWork 100
City Library sits on Flinders Lane in Melbourne's CBD, near Flinders Station and surrounded by cafés. The bright, calm space has plenty of seating spread across multiple floors, with quiet study areas alongside more open zones.
08RACV City Club
library501 Bourke Street★ 4.4Wi‑FiWork 100
RACV City Club is an upmarket establishment on Bourke Street in central Melbourne offering dining, a bar, indoor pool, spa and gym. The atmosphere is described as lively and romantic, with live music and attentive service.