Articles by: admin

A little history of the humble lamp post

A little history of the humble lamp post

November 2, 2015

Our stories:

The humble lamp posts on either side of Redmond Barry’s statue might tend to be overlooked, but at 124 years, they are hardy survivors. This week our Pictures team take a closer look at some of Melbourne’s oldest working street fixtures.

New books: revolutions in England, Scotland at war and Mr Nolan transforms the Australian landscape

New books: revolutions in England, Scotland at war and Mr Nolan transforms the Australian landscape

October 30, 2015

Painting, Rare Books & Arts, Visual arts:

A clutch of new books explore Turner’s “born again” vision, the back-to-the-future philosophy of William Morris, Scotland’s artists at war, and the remarkable life and art of Sidney Nolan (shown here in a photograph by Albert Tucker, c.1940s).

Two unidentified women kicking up their heels in carpark at racecourse © Rennie Ellis

The race that stops a nation

October 30, 2015

Our stories, Such was life:

Take a punt on Melbourne Cup Day and explore our wealth of Cup and horse racing resources online.

Bertie The Aeroplane, Eric Porter Studios

5 things you didn’t know about Australian animation

October 27, 2015

Our stories:

From the very first Australian animated film to our first Oscar for an animated short, this week we celebrate 100 years of Australian animation.

How to: Preparing precious artwork for display

How to: Preparing precious artwork for display

October 19, 2015

Collection Care, Conservation, Our stories:

In the final week of our major exhibition, the Conservation team bring you behind-the-scenes to highlight some of the processes they undertook to prepare ST Gill’s evocative works for display.

Naxos/Broadway Theatre Archive, 1973

It’s a wonderful world; so many videos to enjoy, here or there!

October 16, 2015

Music, Performing Arts, Rare Books & Arts, Television, Theatre:

Some more great performances and documentaries courtesy of our video streaming services, not to mention a flashmob Choral Symphony to bring a tear to the eye.

Gabrielle Tozer wins 2015 Gold Inky Award for debut novel

Gabrielle Tozer wins 2015 Gold Inky Award for debut novel

October 13, 2015

News:

This year’s Gold Inky went to Gabrielle Tozer for her debut novel The Intern. The Intern tells the story of Josie, a budding young writer who lands her dream internship at a women’s magazine.

The letter that changed history

The letter that changed history

September 23, 2015

Our stories:

On this day 100 years ago, journalist Keith Murdoch penned the Gallipoli letter. The highly critical account, written to Australian Prime Minister Andrew Fisher, is said to have influenced the withdrawal of allied troops from the peninsula.

Catherine the Great by Johann Baptist von Lampi

From Russia with love: treasures from the Hermitage

September 18, 2015

Decorative arts, Painting, Rare Books & Arts, Visual arts:

Melbourne is currently experiencing a little bit of Imperial Russia with the exhibition, Masterpieces From the Hermitage: the Legacy of Catherine the Great, now showing at the National Gallery of Victoria. Here at the State Library of Victoria you can bury yourself in these treasures all year round.

The Ian Potter Foundation donates $10 million to restore iconic Queen’s Hall

The Ian Potter Foundation donates $10 million to restore iconic Queen’s Hall

September 10, 2015

News:

State Library Victoria is delighted to announce that The Ian Potter Foundation will become the lead philanthropic donor for the refurbishment of the Library’s historic Queen’s Hall through a $10 million donation from the Foundation.