Surprise birthday gift for the dome

Last night at the launch of our newest exhibition Free, secular and democratic: building the Public Library 1853–1913, Minister for the Arts Heidi Victoria announced a generous and extremely practical surprise gift  to celebrate the 100th birthday of the Library's iconic dome – $6.7m toward waterproofing and repairs.

The funds provided by the State Government will allow the Library the chance to correct significant weather-related deterioration of parts of the building's historic facade.

Uncovered since redevelopments in 2003 restored the original glazed ceiling, the roof of the dome has been badly affected by cracking and a gradual loss of waterproofing – allowing water to seep into the parts of the surface render. The repairs will seek to provide a more effective seal of the surface and the installation of waterproof membranes. The funds will also allow the mending of weather damage which has happened on the areas of the dome's facade facing Swanston Street and La Trobe Street.

'For 100 years the domed reading room has been a place of inspiration, creativity and learning for the people of Victoria. These funds will ensure that it remains so for the next 100 years,' President of the Library Board of Victoria, John Wylie, stated in welcoming the funding.