A footy supporter who took in the Magpies vs Demons match at the MCG on Monday night has photographed what a rarely seen part of the MCG that will be a surprise to most Aussie sport fans.
The full house sign went up at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on the King’s Birthday for the clash between Collingwood and Melbourne, which also featured the annual FightMND Big Freeze in honour of Demons champion Neale Daniher.
But while most of the 100,000-plus crowd was focused on the ice slides and the footy, one diehard snapped a part of the stadium they’d never noticed before.
‘What is this library looking room at the MCG?,’ they posted to Reddit.
The answer, as it turns out, is rather straightforward: it is the Melbourne Cricket Club library, which has held a prized place at the iconic venue since 1873.
‘The library looking room is a library, in fact it’s the MCC library,’ another Reddit user replied to the original request.
A footy fan at the King’s Birthday clash between Collingwood and Melbourne was fascinated by the library that is part of the MCG (pictured top right)
The MCC Library is one of the oldest parts of the iconic venue and contains sports tomes, journals, books and magazines that tell a rich history of Aussie sport
Another pointed out that it is actually a hidden secret for those looking to find new treasures in Melbourne.
‘MCC Library – its an awesome room,’ they wrote.
‘When I take my 5 year old, and hes [sic] had enough watching the game (as 5yo’s can do at times), we go there to read stories for a bit.
‘There are always a few parents doing the same thing, and we will be sneaking each other scores while we catch up on the latest from Peppa Pig or Bluey.
‘Also a top spot just to get away from the crowds and look at the city skyline.’
The MCC Library at the MCG houses one of the world’s leading collections of sports literature and ephemera.
Founded in 1873, it began with just 13 volumes of The Australasian newspaper.
Today, it holds over one million items covering 119 sports, with a focus on cricket, Australian football and the Olympic Games.
The library is dedicated to preserving sports history and is a vital part of the Melbourne Cricket Club’s heritage program.
The collection features historical and biographical works, as well as rare memorabilia and archival materials.
To celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2023, the library showcased 150 treasures from its extensive collection.
The MCC Library also offers research services supported by professional staff and specialist volunteers.
It remains an essential hub for sports scholars, fans, and anyone interested in the rich sporting culture of Australia.
The library is part of a raft of facilites available at the MCG that might shock some footy fans – and go beyond cricket and AFL.
The venue underwent a major redevelopment valued at $1billion, aimed at modernising the iconic venue.
One of the headline upgrades was the complete rebuild of the Shane Warne Stand, formerly the Great Southern Stand, to boost stadium capacity to 105,000.
Throughout the venue, essential public facilities were upgraded, including the installation of water fountains and universal charging stations.
First aid rooms were refurbished to provide rapid response care during events.
Families benefited from new parent rooms equipped with baby-change tables and private feeding spaces.
Food and beverage options were diversified, with dozens of outlets offering local and international fare across all levels.
Patrons now find it easier to navigate the ground thanks to improved signage, digital screens, and directional assistance.
Accessibility was also prioritised, with improved wheelchair seating and enhanced entry points for patrons with mobility needs.
The Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) is one of the oldest and most prestigious sporting clubs in Australia. Founded in 1838, it is best known as the manager and custodian of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
