Archive for June, 2023

Preserving the Saunders Family Archive

Preserving the Saunders Family Archive

June 27, 2023

Collection Care, Preservation, Preventive conservation:

The Saunders Family Archive offers an enticing glimpse into the ordinary lives of a working-class family in Melbourne from the early 20th century. Alongside papers and photographs sits an array of objects and textiles that were saved and reused many times over as was befitting of the times. In this blog, the Preservation team shares insights into the work involved in rehousing this extraordinary collection.

Trial databases at State Library Victoria

Trial databases at State Library Victoria

June 20, 2023

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Our stories:

Explore the Library’s latest trial databases, which include early published works from the British Isles and Europe, and primary resources from the Second World War.

Online Collection Spotlight: Naxos Music Library

Online Collection Spotlight: Naxos Music Library

June 15, 2023

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights:

Interested in exploring the music of the Baroque era but don’t know where to start? Looking for a curated playlist to listen to while you study or work? Hoping to understand more about a key piece of classical music? Naxos Music Library is a music streaming database that features much more than just audio.

The first Royal Visit

The first Royal Visit

June 11, 2023

Ask a librarian, Our stories:

In 1867 Australia hosted our first Royal visitor. Prince Alfred toured the country, and toured our Library! It was a tumultuous time. Sectarian murders, riots, tragedy and finally an attempted assassination punctuated the Prince’s journey. His resilience in the face of these events won him great respect across the Australian colonies.

The gateway to Melbourne: Station Pier

The gateway to Melbourne: Station Pier

June 9, 2023

Ask a librarian, Our stories, Victorian history:

With the dominance of air travel in the twenty-first century, it’s easy to forget what a massive role ships, ports and piers played in the development and history of Melbourne. We look at the historic evolution of piers at the Port of Melbourne.

Melbourne’s first horse race

Melbourne’s first horse race

June 2, 2023

Ask a librarian, Victorian history:

Horseracing is an industry strongly associated with Melbourne, but it took almost three years after colonial settlement for the first horse race to be held. Like many of today’s horse racing carnivals, the reporting was more focused on what happened off the racetrack than on it.