Inspired by the dome

All kinds of different people use the Library's domed reading room to read, think, dream, write, draw, socialise and generally pursue their passions in its beautiful, contemplative atmosphere.

Here we reveal some of the projects that have been inspired by the dome, and, in some cases, produced in the dome itself.

A musical expedition

Ashley Davies, Musician

Musician Ashley Davies explored our Pictures Collection for his new Burke and Wills concept album.

A crystalline cathedral

Peter Carey, Writer

Peter Carey appreciates the dome as a cathedral of calm in a crowded world.

Botanical riches

Richard Aitken, Writer & researcher

Richard Aitken's research into the Library's rich botanical collections resulted in an exhibition and a book.

From fellow to Bookwallah

Kirsty Murray, Writer

Kirsty Murray's adventures though India with travelling exhibition 'Bookwallah' began with a Creative Fellowship at the Library.

Young people playing computer games in Experimedia

Old World, new games

Angela Betzien, Writer

Writer Angela Betzien developed a unique location-based game at the Library.

Paper cuts

Nicholas Jones, Artist

A sculptor of books is tempted by the dome's bounty.

Steampunk dome

Cliff Overton, Steampunk curator

Steampunk tinkerer ‘maduncle’ Cliff Overton imagines the dome from an alternative perspective.

Botanical explorations

Christine Johnson, Artist

Artist Christine Johnson traced the journeys of early European explorers in Australia to create artworks based on botanic records.

A bohemian temple

Tony Moore, Historian, academic & author

Dr Tony Moore understands the Library's dome as a temple to bohemian culture in both historic and contemporary Melbourne.

Vast landscapes

Sista Zai, Academic & storyteller

African women’s storytelling collective co-organiser Sista Zai is inspired by the vastness of the dome.

Tools of the trade

Christine Eid, Researcher, curator & artist

Researcher Christine Eid finds her idea of heaven in the domed reading room.

Grace

Morris Gleitzman, Children's author

Children's author Morris Gleitzman is inspired by the non-linear shape of the dome.

A cathedral to books

Danielle Clode, Writer

Author Danielle Clode researched her book, 'Voyages to the South Seas', in a place she sees as 'a cathedral to books'.

From the outside in

Robyn Annear, Writer & researcher

A Creative Fellowship allows a writer to experience the 'mysterious' world of the dome from the inside.

The sound of sacred geometry

Dean Frenkel, Singer and author

A harmonic overtone singer speaks about filling the historic dome with ancient sound.

Eugene von Guérard’s place

Ruth Pullin, Writer & curator

This Creative Fellow takes a fresh angle on a great colonial artist who was also an early friend of the Library.

Contemplating unoccupied space

Stephen Banham, Typographer, writer & lecturer

Stephen Banham is humbled by the dome's rare and precious offerings.

Studies of activity & idleness

Lucy Fahey, Visual artist

Artist Lucy Fahey was entranced by the dome while undertaking her Creative Fellowship.

Finding Uncle Harry

Edmond Chiu, Researcher

Edmond Chiu discovered the last love story of a relative who fought in the First World War while researching in the dome.

The dome in 3D

Eva Cheng & Alex Joseski, 3D film producers

Engineers and filmmakers have collaborated to produce a unique 3D film of the dome.

Garnering inspiration

Fiona Tuomy & Liz Burke, Director & producer

Two documentary film makers were inspired by the dome's 'ribbon of words'.

The art of the dome

Marco Luccio, Artist

Artist Marco Luccio is inspired by the timeless beauty of the dome.

Surrounded by a million minds

Anson Cameron, Writer

A Melbourne writer draws energy from the collegiate atmosphere of the dome.

A cultural conversation

Michael Shirrefs, Radio producer & presenter

Radio presenter Michael Shirrefs revels in the space and place of the Library.

Gazing at a ceiling fretted with fire

David Mence, Writer, director and dramaturge

A former Creative Fellow frequents the dome to research, write and think.

Drawing the dome

Carol James, Grahame Maurdoch, Belinda Willoughby, Heidelberg Artists Society

The Heidelberg Artists Society find inspiration in sketching the dome.

Fertile ground for research

Robyn Ballinger, Writer & historian

Writer and historian Robyn Ballinger finds the dome's Australia collection fertile ground for drought research.

Book of hours, Geofroy Tory, Paris, 1531

Time for medieval books of hours

Hilary Maddocks , Art historian

A Creative Fellowship gave art historian Hilary Maddocks the time to bring to light two medieval books of hours.

From cosy cave to wedding cake

Jane Sullivan, Novelist and journalist

Jane Sullivan researched her novel at the Library and praises the dome's evolution.

Luck of the draw

Oslo Davis, Illustrator and cartoonist

A Creative Fellowship enabled an illustrator to spend his days drawing in the dome.

Angels in the alcoves

Marcus D Niski, Writer

Marcus D Niski is inspired by the dome's lineage of writers and scholars.

Growing the family tree

Jenny Harkness, Amateur genealogist

Amateur genealogist Jenny Harkness relies on the Library for her family history research.

A writer’s cave

Shane Maloney, Writer

A writer explores the dome's unique treasure-trove of Australian and Victorian history.

Painting circa 1934

Fiona Jeffery, Artist and librarian

Artist and librarian Fiona Jeffery shares how the dome inspires her painting.

The tonight show

Simon Taylor, Entertainer and writer

Entertainer Simon Taylor riffs on how he feels about working in the dome.

Ten-thousand paper planes

Ross Coulter, Artist

Artist Ross Coulter explains the concepts behind releasing paper planes in the dome.

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