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Discovering Oscar Wilde through State Library Victoria’s collection

November 28, 2024

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Uncategorized:

The State Library Victoria collection holds many resources for those interested in Oscar Wilde’s writings and life. Through newspapers, databases, books and manuscripts we explore the life of this wonderful Irish writer.

Ladies in the lounge

Ladies in the lounge

November 27, 2024

Ask a librarian, Our stories, Victorian history:

These days, the idea of a ‘ladies’ lounge’ seems archaic, but there was a time not so long ago when they were de rigeur…

Broken glass 2: eclectic boogaloo. More imperfect gems from the Pictures Collection

Broken glass 2: eclectic boogaloo. More imperfect gems from the Pictures Collection

November 21, 2024

Ask a librarian, Photography, Preservation:

In ‘Broken Glass (part 1)’, we looked at how the Library captures glass plate negatives, and explored some interestingly damaged photographs from the Library’s collection. In this – part 2 – we look at how the Library houses the negatives and show some more examples of unexpected beauty.

Online Collection Spotlight: Naxos Spoken Word Library

Online Collection Spotlight: Naxos Spoken Word Library

November 15, 2024

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Our stories:

Love a good story but feeling overwhelmed by that heavy book, classic literary prose, or confounding nature of James Joyce’s wit? Want to explore new and classic literature, biographies, histories, and philosophies but struggling to find the time? Then listen up and be inspired by the range of audio books available through Naxos Spoken Word Library!

Greater love hath no man. 90 years of the Shrine

Greater love hath no man. 90 years of the Shrine

November 10, 2024

Ask a librarian, Buildings & streets, Victorian history:

The eleventh hour, the eleventh day, the eleventh month. Every year at this exact time we remember those who gave us the greatest gift: freedom. On November 11, 2024 the Shrine of Remembrance will commemorate it’s 90th anniversary.

Broken glass: accidental beauty in the Library’s photographic collection

Broken glass: accidental beauty in the Library’s photographic collection

November 7, 2024

Ask a librarian, Photography:

We are always looking for that perfect image of the past. While often seen as a detriment, broken glass and chemical emulsion damage on early photographic glass plate negatives can have their own particular beauty. Explore a selection of interestingly damaged photographs from the Library’s collection.

The clairvoyant and the magician: Mystic Mora and Doc Rowe

The clairvoyant and the magician: Mystic Mora and Doc Rowe

October 31, 2024

Ask a librarian, Our stories, Victorian history:

A clairvoyant and a magician – a magical pairing you might say. For the celebrated entertainment duo Mystic Mora and Doc Rowe, it was a union that brought extraordinary success and fame, and a life full of exotic travels and uncommon adventures.

Discovering Sylvia Plath’s novel: The Bell Jar

Discovering Sylvia Plath’s novel: The Bell Jar

October 27, 2024

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Rare Books & Arts:

In honour of Sylvia Plath’s 92nd birthday, we explore the resources available at the Library for exploring the themes and context of Plath’s only published novel: The Bell Jar

Local History Grants Program is now open

Local History Grants Program is now open

October 23, 2024

Grants, News:

The Local History Grants Program are now open. Up to $15,000 can be awarded to projects that preserve, record or publish Victorian local history.

Melbourne’s Marvelous Madame Weigel

Melbourne’s Marvelous Madame Weigel

October 21, 2024

Collections, People & professions, Such was life, Victorian history:

Madame Weigel’s Journal of Fashion became a staple of Australian life for those interested in being well dressed, well presented, and well informed. This treasure trove has recently be digitised and made available online.

Such was life

Greater love hath no man. 90 years of the Shrine

Greater love hath no man. 90 years of the Shrine

November 10, 2024 2 comments

The eleventh hour, the eleventh day, the eleventh month. Every year at this exact time we remember those who gave us the greatest gift: freedom. On November 11, 2024 the Shrine of Remembrance will commemorate it’s 90th anniversary.

Arts

Broken glass 2: eclectic boogaloo. More imperfect gems from the Pictures Collection

Broken glass 2: eclectic boogaloo. More imperfect gems from the Pictures Collection

November 21, 2024 2 comments

In ‘Broken Glass (part 1)’, we looked at how the Library captures glass plate negatives, and explored some interestingly damaged photographs from the Library’s collection. In this – part 2 – we look at how the Library houses the negatives and show some more examples of unexpected beauty.