state library victoria is the central library of the state of victoria, australia, located in melbourne. it was established in 1854 as the melbourne public library, making it australia's oldest public library and one of the first free libraries in the world. the library's vast collection includes over two million books and 350,000 photographs, manuscripts, maps and newspapers, with a special focus on material from victoria, including the diaries of the city's founders, john batman and john pascoe fawkner, and the folios of captain james cook. it also houses some of the original armour of ned kelly. the library is located in the northern centre of the central business district, on the block bounded by swanston, la trobe, russell, and little lonsdale streets.