While strolling through the Queen Victoria Market, we discovered a hidden gem – the Narrm Ngarrgu Library, which is newly opened! For those nearby, it’s absolutely a great spot to read, study, or work! There are also many famous cafes nearby, like Market Lane and Prade, where you can grab a cup of coffee whenever you need a break. If you get tired from exploring the market on Saturdays or Sundays, you can pop in, grab a book, and take a short rest. It’s a little-known library worth checking out!
Getting to Narrm Ngarrgu Library
The Narrm Ngarrgu Library has two entrances – one right behind Queen Vic Market, and the other near the main entrance in a little alley. If you can’t find it, just search for 454 Queen Street.
What’s inside the Narrm Ngarrgu Library
When you get to the first floor, a staff member will ask if it’s your first time here and give you a tour of the library’s facilities. The first floor also has a snack bar!
The second floor is a bit bigger than the first. There are rooms for art students to design clothes, reservable meeting rooms, a silent study room, and a reading area with a view of Queen Vic Market. Facilities include book borrowing machines and water stations.
The third floor is for rest, entertainment, and the kid’s library! When you’re tired of studying, you can relax on the balcony with some greenery, lounge chairs, and a great view of the bustling Queen Vic Market.
What we think
We’ve been here two days in a row – that’s how much our kids love this new library! The entire third floor is dedicated to children, with a large selection of picture books and children’s literature available for borrowing.
Kids can also play video games, enjoy a small outdoor terrace, and explore a toddler activity room. They can engage in pretend play, draw, and play with various toys, making it a very child-friendly space.
Since we had the little one with us, we only spent most of the time on the third floor. However, the lower floors have adult reading and study areas, along with 3D printers, sewing machines, and embroidery machines, similar to The Dock Library in Docklands.
You can download the City of Melbourne Libraries app and get a library card to borrow books or read e-books. The app’s eKids section offers stories and educational content that makes learning fun. There’s no way kids won’t love it!
Narrm Ngarrgu Library
Address: 141 Therry St, Melbourne VIC 3000