Ask a librarian

Greater love hath no man. 90 years of the Shrine.

Greater love hath no man. 90 years of the Shrine.

November 10, 2024

Ask a librarian, Buildings & streets, Victorian history:

The eleventh hour, the eleventh day, the eleventh month. Every year at this exact time we remember those who gave us the greatest gift: freedom. On November 11, 2024 the Shrine of Remembrance will commemorate it’s 90th anniversary.

Broken glass: accidental beauty in the Library’s photographic collection

Broken glass: accidental beauty in the Library’s photographic collection

November 7, 2024

Ask a librarian, Photography:

We are always looking for that perfect image of the past. While often seen as a detriment, broken glass and chemical emulsion damage on early photographic glass plate negatives can have their own particular beauty. Explore a selection of interestingly damaged photographs from State Library Victoria’s collection.

The clairvoyant and the magician: Mystic Mora and Doc Rowe

The clairvoyant and the magician: Mystic Mora and Doc Rowe

October 31, 2024

Ask a librarian, Our stories, Victorian history:

A clairvoyant and a magician – a magical pairing you might say. For the celebrated entertainment duo Mystic Mora and Doc Rowe, it was a union that brought extraordinary success and fame, and a life full of exotic travels and uncommon adventures.

Discovering Sylvia Plath’s novel: The Bell Jar

Discovering Sylvia Plath’s novel: The Bell Jar

October 27, 2024

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Rare Books & Arts:

In honour of Sylvia Plath’s 92nd birthday, we explore the resources available at the Library for exploring the themes and context of Plath’s only published novel: The Bell Jar

Melbourne’s Marvelous Madame Weigel

Melbourne’s Marvelous Madame Weigel

October 21, 2024

Collections, People & professions, Such was life, Victorian history:

Madame Weigel’s Journal of Fashion became a staple of Australian life for those interested in being well dressed, well presented, and well informed. This treasure trove has recently be digitised and made available online.

Online Collection Spotlight: Political Extremism and Radicalism

Online Collection Spotlight: Political Extremism and Radicalism

October 18, 2024

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Our stories:

Discover the philosophies and tactics of extremist groups in the 20th century with the Political Extremism and Radicalism database.

Mary Fortune: pioneer of Australian detective stories

Mary Fortune: pioneer of Australian detective stories

October 15, 2024

Arts & literature, Ask a librarian, Victorian history:

Mary Fortune was the author of the longest running 19th-century crime fiction series published in a periodical and one of the earliest female crime writers in the world.

Students in the big time: University, the VFL and ‘Doc Park’

Students in the big time: University, the VFL and ‘Doc Park’

September 24, 2024

Our stories, Victorian history:

The AFL is huge business these days, but in 1908 the ninth club to join the competition was a team of students from Melbourne University. The amateur students couldn’t match the growing professionalism of the other clubs, but they did produce stars such as Roy Park.

Online Collection Spotlight: The OECD iLibrary

Online Collection Spotlight: The OECD iLibrary

September 23, 2024

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights:

This Online Collection Spotlight features the OECD iLibrary. The iLibrary includes a vast collection of high level research into all aspects of policy areas that effect our daily lives and our future.

Digger’s wedding, Melbourne 1853. Watercolour by S.T. Gill; H25973

Something to write home about: Melbourne in 1852

September 9, 2024

Ask a librarian, Victorian history:

Shipboard journals provide a fascinating insight into the migrant experience, and if we’re lucky they continue once the passenger stepped off the ship onto dry land. When John Askew arrived in Melbourne in 1852, he encountered a bustling city full of gold-diggers and the upwardly mobile. His impressions are both insightful and amusing.