Cities & towns, Victorian history:
Surveyor and artist Robert Russell published an early survey of Melbourne featuring the Yarra Falls that determined the site for the foundation of the township. He also produced drawings and watercolours of the Yarra Falls from where his cottage was located.
When a photograph of an unknown WWI soldier, was left in the library’s La Trobe Reading Room, bearing the message `Can you please return this to the family’, we had to find out who he was. Read about the discovery of `Hal’ and how we traced his family.
Collection spotlights, Reference desk, Victorian history:
‘Do you shut for tea,… will I have to climb a ladder,…where are the children’s books?’, explore a wide variety of reference enquiries recorded in a handwritten notebook by two library staff, during their time at State Library Victoria in the 1940s.
Collections, New to the collection, Such was life, Victorian history:
A recent donation to the Library gives us insight into the last wills and testaments of Victorians of the 19th and 20th Century, from what they were bequeathing to who they held dear.
Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights:
Parliamentary papers and other documents relating to the business of government and government departments are a wonderful source of information on government decision making and processes. In this blog post we highlight three excellent databases for accessing parliamentary papers.
Ask a librarian, Rare Books & Arts:
Agatha Christie was a leading author of the golden age of detective fiction whose books continue to excite, delight and intrigue readers. To celebrate her outstanding legacy, State Library Victoria recently acquired first editions of some of Christie’s most popular titles.
Looking for information on an Australian woman and not sure where to start?
The Australian Women’s Register is a wonderful resource for researchers of Australian women and women’s organisations. There are over 6200 entries on women and more than 600 entries on women’s organisations, covering the nineteenth century to the present.
Social life & customs, Such was life:
In 1965, some older Victorians wrote short essays for a competition, recalling their early lives.
Collection Care, Conservation:
Come behind the scenes of the Rebel Heart exhibition to uncover the story of a remarkable mourning brooch. From its intricate woven structure to the hidden signs of age revealed under magnification, this fragile piece has much to tell.
Ask a librarian, Reference desk, Research tips:
Whether you’re a seasoned researcher or coming to the Library for the first time, a student, or student of life, writing a book, or doing family history research – our Ask a Librarian service is available for everyone.
Surveyor and artist Robert Russell published an early survey of Melbourne featuring the Yarra Falls that determined the site for the foundation of the township. He also produced drawings and watercolours of the Yarra Falls from where his cottage was located.
Agatha Christie was a leading author of the golden age of detective fiction whose books continue to excite, delight and intrigue readers. To celebrate her outstanding legacy, State Library Victoria recently acquired first editions of some of Christie’s most popular titles.
