Collections

Online Collection Spotlight: British Library Newspapers (1732–1950)

Online Collection Spotlight: British Library Newspapers (1732–1950)

September 27, 2023

Collections:

The British Library Newspapers database (1732-1950) includes over 240 newspapers sourced from the British Library. Find out more about this incredible resource – the depth and scope of this collection being unparalleled.

What’s new in eresources

What’s new in eresources

May 15, 2023

Ask a librarian, New to the collection:

There have been a few new additions to our online eresources lately. These can be explored from outside the Library if you are a Victorian-resident Library member – log in with your Library member number, or sign up for membership online to begin. Let’s take a look at what’s available.

Celebrating our nurses: the history of nursing in Victoria

Celebrating our nurses: the history of nursing in Victoria

May 12, 2023

Collections, Family matters:

International Nurses Day is celebrated on Friday 12 May – the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth. In today’s blog we explore the history of nursing in Victoria and take a glimpse at the nurses featured in our collection.

Nurse attending two wounded soldiers.

Hospital records for family history

August 15, 2022

Collections, Family matters, Research guides, Research tips & tricks:

Welcome to National Family History Month! Each week of August we will publish a new family history blog to help you with your research. In this week’s blog we look at how to research your ancestor’s health by exploring historical hospital records.

Researching school records

Researching school records

May 18, 2022

Collections, Family matters, Research tips & tricks:

The years spent at school made up a significant period of our lives. In this blog, we explore the different resources you can use to research your ancestor’s education in Victoria.

Autumn delights: Trial databases on travel, trailblazers and more!

Autumn delights: Trial databases on travel, trailblazers and more!

April 19, 2022

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Collections:

From new content in the Food and Drink in History database to three new databases available on trial, there’s plenty to discover online this Autumn. Trial databases cover empire studies, travel adventures of women in the 19th and 20th centuries, and trailblazing female forerunners in history. Explore and share your feedback!

Committee Groups of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom with Disarmament Petition ready to go to Geneva, 1931, Herald Feature Service; MS9377/PHO4

Female writers, forbidden books and a fascinating romp through history: Trialling new Gale databases

February 28, 2022

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Collections, Our stories:

Our latest trial databases are treasure troves of historical material which surface stories of and by traditionally underrepresented and marginalised people. Should these form part of our collection? Let us know what you think.

Children and Play

Children and Play

January 20, 2022

Collections:

Whether you are a child or an adult, the Library has often been a place of wonderment and fun. This summer, Library staff have put together a display of collection material encapsulating all forms of children’s play.

‘Behind the Paint’, Shannyn Higgins’ vibrant portraits of street artists

‘Behind the Paint’, Shannyn Higgins’ vibrant portraits of street artists

November 30, 2020

Collections:

In November 2020, the Library acquired a portrait series title Behind the Paint featuring some of Melbourne’s most iconic artists, alongside their work, shot by photographer Shannyn Higgins.

Did your ancestor work for the Government?

Did your ancestor work for the Government?

February 10, 2014

Collections, Family matters, Research guides, Research tips & tricks:

Many of us have forebears who worked for the Victorian Government in some capacity. This may not always be obvious though, as records like electoral rolls, directories and birth, death… Read More ›