Articles by: Terri Berends
Ask a librarian, Our stories, Victorian history:
For a few short years in the 1840s a woman named Sarah Smith made a little extra money offering accommodation and hospitality to travellers between Sydney and the yet-to-be declared Colony of Victoria. With a roof, a meal and perhaps a strong drink or two, Sarah’s House or Pretty Sally’s, as it came to be known, left a lasting mark on the Australian landscape.
Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights:
Do you want to do a deep dive into medical folklore? Have you ever wondered why people make fun of Jazz? What were the building blocks of modern horror movies? Have you wondered why Asperger’s syndrome was removed from the DSM? Or thought about the social impact of the human papillomavirus vaccine? Do you need a primer on literary theory? On climate hazards? On planetary systems? And just what did Herman Melville’s short stories reveal about his thoughts on slavery? Oxford Academic has you covered.
Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Our stories, Rare Books & Arts:
To celebrate Trans Awareness Month 2025, we turn our attention to one of the fascinating volumes in State Library Victoria’s Rare Books Collection: Leslie Feinberg’s ‘Stone butch blues.’ The book brings with it stories of struggle — both within and beyond it’s pages — along with questions about control, artistic ethics and the ways we find (and too often don’t find) the stories we seek: stories of people like us.
Arts & literature, Our stories, Social life & customs, Victorian history:
Colonial Australians have always battled to bring British and European traditions to the Christmas season. Roast meat and gravy, puddings and finery can still be found at many Christmas events. What is less likely to be found is the curious tradition of the Christmas Eve ghost story.
Ask a librarian, Cities & towns, Our stories, Victorian history:
On 6 April 1966, in a quiet suburb south east of Melbourne, reports emerged of something strange in the sky…
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.
Performing Arts, Photography, Theatre:
Happy or sad, straight-faced or bumbling, creepy or cute, there many different kinds of clown. Join us as we take a look at some of the lesser-known clowns in the State Library’s photo collection.
Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights:
Do you want to learn more about cultural appropriation and its impacts? Have you read Homer’s Odyssey and wondered ‘what about the women’s stories?’ Are you looking for histories and stories told from diverse perspectives? If you’ve asked these or other questions about diversity, equity and inclusion, then Proquest ebook central: Diversity, equity and inclusion is the database for you!
Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Victorian history:
Edna Walling was a trailblazing Australian garden designer of the 20th century. Her passion, uncompromising vision and way with words changed the way we think about our gardens.
