The Serbian Reading Room was established in 1845 on the initiative of 72 most educated and respected Serbs. It is placed in the building which was built in eclectic style in 1882. After he had got married to Julijana Palanački, Laza Kostić became a member of the Serbian Reading Room in 1897 and in 1901 he was elected the president of the Reading Room. He had performed this duty until his death in 1910. As a sign of respect toward its prominent president, the Serbian Reading Room had not elected a new president for the whole following year. Today, the Serbian Reading Room is the place where a large number of cultural events are held.