State Library Victoria 2023 January

It’s summer, let’s go to the drive-in!

January 31, 2023

Ask a librarian, Our stories, Victorian history:

In the mid 1950s, the American craze of drive-in theatres took off in Australia. A night out for the whole family without leaving the car, dressed any old how, chatting, eating, and watching a movie. What’s not to like? By the early 1980s 20 acres of prime land, given over to a drive-in only operating at night, seemed an extravagance. Several drive-ins still survive though, attracting crowds eager for the unique ‘drive-in’ experience.

Cheap holiday fares… advertising posters of the Victorian Railways

January 27, 2023

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Social life & customs, Victorian history:

Let’s take a look at a selection of advertising posters used by the Victorian Railways in the 1930s and 1940s

‘Listen … quick. It’s Mr Whippy!’

January 20, 2023

Ask a librarian, Social life & customs, Such was life, Victorian history:

There are few sounds as synonymous with the beginning of summer as the strains of a Mr Whippy van floating on the breeze. But who was Mr Whippy really, and how did he get his start in Australia?

Helena Bochořáková-Dittrichova – a pioneer of the wordless form

January 18, 2023

Collection, New books, Rare Books & Arts, Visual arts:

The Library’s Rare Books Collection holds many wordless graphic novels by masters of the form, including the recent addition of the first wordless graphic novel by a woman.

Online Collection Spotlight: Australasian Literature Online

January 13, 2023

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights:

Fascinated by literature? Want to find out more about Australia and explore the rich and diverse literature of Oceania? Then dive into Australasian literature online!