Exhibitions

Conserving a fascinating piece of book history: Fragment of a French Bible, c. 1150-1175

Conserving a fascinating piece of book history: Fragment of a French Bible, c. 1150-1175

May 2, 2025

Collection Care, Conservation, Exhibitions:

In 2022, State Library Victoria added a fascinating piece of book history to its growing collection of fragments held within the Rare Books Collection. The item, a 315 x 265… Read More ›

Melbourne Out Loud: The photography of Rennie Ellis

Melbourne Out Loud: The photography of Rennie Ellis

December 17, 2024

Ask a librarian, Exhibitions, Our stories, Social life & customs:

The Melbourne Out Loud exhibition celebrates and showcases the life and work of Victorian photographer Rennie Ellis. Ellis’ photography documented a spectrum of Australian culture and life from the 1960s onwards. Here we explore the exhibition themes and showcase some favourite images.

Photo: Christian Capurro

Knitting, coding, and the stars: caring for a time-based media artwork in a library collection – Part 1

August 4, 2023

Collection Care, Conservation, Exhibitions:

Through a two-part blog, gain a behind-the-scenes insight into ‘Stargazing’, a contemporary multimedia artwork that was the centrepiece of the Library’s Handmade Universe exhibition. Learn about the process of preparing it for display, a preventive conservation treatment undertaken once the artwork was deinstalled, and considerations for its care and future access.

In conversation: Handmade Universe Curator, Linda Short

In conversation: Handmade Universe Curator, Linda Short

September 29, 2022

Exhibitions, News:

We chatted to Linda Short about how Handmade Universe came to be, and the best way to experience the stories it tells.

The A to Z of World of the book 2022

The A to Z of World of the book 2022

July 21, 2022

Exhibitions, Rare Books & Arts:

A is for Alhambra On display for the very first time is a magnificent work by English designer Owen Jones and French architect Jules Goury about one of the world’s… Read More ›

World Poetry Day

World Poetry Day

March 21, 2022

Collection, Collection spotlights, Events, Exhibitions:

If you listen to a poem, in any language, you understand it. Why?! Because it speaks the universal language of human emotion.

A close look at the Michael Abbott Collection

A close look at the Michael Abbott Collection

February 4, 2022

Exhibitions, Rare Books & Arts:

The internationally significant Michael Abbott Collection of South-East Asian manuscripts is now on display as part of the World of the book 2022 exhibition.

It’s a LEGO® world

It’s a LEGO® world

January 28, 2022

Events, Exhibitions, News:

It seems like LEGO bricks have been around forever, but in fact, they didn’t hit the market until 1949! Read on to discover more about LEGO’s amazing history …

Image courtesy Marylebone Cricket Club

State Library Victoria scores the Ashes Urn

March 14, 2019

Exhibitions, News:

The iconic Ashes Urn is leaving Lord’s Cricket Ground for only the third time in its 137-year history to feature in State Library Victoria’s brand new exhibition, ‘Velvet, Iron, Ashes’.

Major $20,000 public art commission awarded to Melbourne artist, Tai Snaith

Major $20,000 public art commission awarded to Melbourne artist, Tai Snaith

September 21, 2018

Announcements, Exhibitions, News:

A large-scale public artwork by Melbourne artist Tai Snaith was unveiled inside the first of the new spaces officially opened as part of State Library Victoria’s $88.1 million redevelopment project.