Project Update - 19 November 2025
The first phase of the St Kilda Library Uplift is scheduled for early December. To accommodate necessary works St Kilda Library will be closed from Monday 1 December 2025 until Sunday 7 December 2025.
During this phase the children’s area will be relocated adjacent to the internal courtyard and reunites families with the spectacular Mirka Mora mural that was painted with the children of Port Phillip. Public computers will be relocated and a quiet study space with increased power options for device charging will be introduced as part of these works. Approximately 50,000 items will need to be temporarily taken off the shelves to allow for their relocation and electrical works will need to be undertaken.
There will be no public access to the library during this time however the foyer area will be accessible. Regular programming will be paused for the week with the option to attend early literacy sessions each day at other branches, and some special events will be relocated to other branches.
To offset the impact on the community during this period the following provisions are being put in place:
- A click-and-collect service will operate from the St Kilda Library foyer from 10am to 6pm, Monday 1 December to Friday 5 December
- Returns will be accepted through both returns chutes
- Extended evening and weekend hours will be offered at other branches: Albert Park and Port Melbourne will open until 8pm Monday to Thursday, and Albert Park will open all day on Sunday 7 December (10am to 5pm)
- Wi-Fi will be available in the foyer area
- Digital borrowing of our extensive e-resource collection is available 24/7
Next steps
The second phase in April 2026 will create a more vibrant and interactive space for families and see the introduction of new furniture to increase comfortable seating for reading and relaxing as well as further comfortable study options in quieter spaces.
About the project
Read the Engagement Report
Thank you to everyone who provided their feedback on this project, which will help to inform Council decision-making.
Here is an Engagement Summary Report, summarising what we heard from the community.
What is the plan for St Kilda Library?
What will this uplift include?
The draft concept design includes:
- new seating and study desks
- more lounge areas for reading and relaxation
- a relocated children's area to create a more vibrant and interactive space for families
- a relocated teen space to read, study and relax.
This project is being funded through City of Port Phillip's Library Improvement Program.
You can share your thoughts before 11:59pm 23 March 2025 by completing the online survey, grabbing a hard-copy paper survey from the library, or by coming along to a community pop-up to chat to the project team. Go to the next tab "Provide your feedback" to find out more.
Draft concept design
Take a look at the draft concept design
You can click on the 2D and 3D floor plans below to zoom in further.
Draft concept design for the St Kilda Library Uplift - 2D Proposed Floor Plan
Draft concept design for the St Kilda Library Uplift - 3D Proposed Floor Plan
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
The proposed changes include:
- new seating and study desks
- more lounge areas for reading and relaxation
- a relocated children's area to create a more vibrant and interactive space for families
- a relocated teen space to read, study and relax.
This project is being funded through City of Port Phillip's Library Improvement Program.
While some reduction of the library collection will occur during this upgrade, we aim to minimise reducing the library collection size as much as possible.
This may be achieved by relocating some of the collection to other sites within the library network and some of the less popular collection items downstairs to our stack collection.
Where the collection is reduced, we will focus on removing (or ‘weeding’) items that are older than 5 years, haven’t been borrowed in several years, or in damaged or poor condition.
Multi-purpose spaces will be identified to support program delivery to minimise the need to remove shelving.
Currently, the St Kilda Library opening hours are:
- Monday - Thursday 10am - 8pm
- Friday 10am - 6pm
- Saturday - Sunday 10am-5pm
There are no plans to change the staffed opening hours of the library.
During the construction period, the project will require some temporary closure of the service, possibly for a one-week period. We will notify the community of the impact once construction timelines are finalised, via various communication methods including signage at the front of the library.
Yes, Council has a library app! You can use the Port Phillip Library Service app to search the catalogue, place reservations to collect at any library branch, renew your loans, and much more. Search for 'Port Phillip Library Service' in your app store to download.
