Journey through the collection: Rick Amor
Collection spotlights, Painting:
These works by Rick Amor depict a quiet Port Phillip Bay, where constructions stand among nature, bearing the stains of passing time.
Collection spotlights
Read all about it!
Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Our stories, Victorian history:
From as far back as the 1850s, newsboys were a common sight on the streets of Melbourne. Most were poor and many were illiterate. But they were not without their friends and allies…
Pigeon messengers of World War I
Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Our stories:
It may be hard to believe today, but the humble pigeon played a heroic role as messenger in World War I, braving heavy artillery fire and poisonous gas to deliver messages between the front line and headquarters.
Robert Vere Scott’s photographic panoramas
Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Victorian history:
Panoramic photographs have been around since the mid years of the 19th century when photographers strived to produce the arc of a wide vista in a single image. Check out some spectacular examples from the collection.
Voices from the Great War
Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights:
Our Library has a vast collection of material relating to World War 1 including many original diaries and photographs. Two notable diaries were written by (Victor) Rupert Laidlaw and Alice Kitchin. Both were eyewitnesses to history and their diaries speak eloquently of their experiences, and reflect the horrors of the conflict.
New online collections
Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Our stories:
With 20+ new additions to our databases, there’s something for everyone – always available online.
Armchair travel with State Library Victoria
Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Our stories, Research tips:
After over a year of international travel restrictions and domestic border closures, many of us are longing for a holiday. State Library Victoria collections can take you to faraway places – and back in time – without leaving your home.
Bright: a town for all seasons
Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Victorian history:
In normal times, the final week of April into the first week of May would see the Victorian town of Bright celebrating its Autumn Festival. Sadly, due to the pandemic, the festival was not able to run last year and has also been cancelled for this year. To mark the occasion, we take a look back over previous festivals and the history of the Town of Bright through some of the Library’s wonderful digitised images
‘Put out that light!’ Brownout Melbourne during World War II
Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Victorian history:
In 1942, amidst fears of aerial enemy attack, Melbourne’s homefront was in the grip of brownout. These were tumultuous times, and the city hummed with wartime preparations, and thousands of American service personnel. At the same time, a killer stalked in the shadows.
The scientists and the cricket match
Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Our stories, Victorian history:
In March 1874, Melbourne played host to an unusual cricket match, featuring some of the most pre-eminent marine biologists in the world.
