Ask a librarian

William Hellermann: Visible Musics, 1976: ‘To the Last Drop’
William Hellerman, New York (1976)

Online Collection Spotlight: Oxford Music Online and Grove Musical Library

April 12, 2024

Collection spotlights:

State Library Victoria members can access hundreds of databases from home (if your home is in Victoria). That’s millions of articles, magazines, archives, ebooks, videos, songs, audiobooks and more, available… Read More ›

Strange lights in the sky: The Westall UFO event, 1966

Strange lights in the sky: The Westall UFO event, 1966

April 6, 2024

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…

Caroline, the immigrants’ friend

Caroline, the immigrants’ friend

March 26, 2024

Ask a librarian, Our stories, Such was life, Victorian history:

When you follow your heart, your achievements often multiply. The remarkable philanthropist Caroline Chisholm achieved so much for us all. Read about an incredible woman who changed the lives of so many for the better.

Online collection spotlight: Children’s literature and culture

Online collection spotlight: Children’s literature and culture

March 11, 2024

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Our stories:

Ever wonder what books were available for children 200 years ago? Keen to try your hand at some eighteenth and nineteenth century board games?
Trace the development of children’s reading, learning and play with the Children’s Literature and Culture database.

Young woman, standing, wearing pleated skirt, holding pile of books, 1966. Photo by Mark Strizic. This work is in copyright. H2009.81/4079

Discovering Dewey 305.42: Women and their role in society

March 8, 2024

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Reference desk:

Most of the books in our collections are arranged by the Dewey Decimal Classification System. Join us on a tour of our stacks to explore Dewey number 305.42, which covers the subject of women and their role in society

Online Collection Spotlight: Gale Health and Wellness

Online Collection Spotlight: Gale Health and Wellness

February 14, 2024

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Health:

What are the latest COVID-19 variants? How is a colonoscopy conducted? What are the side effects of anti-anxiety drugs?

Find out answers to these medical questions and more in the Gale Health and Wellness database.

From the Travelling Library to the Internet: a Library beyond the building

From the Travelling Library to the Internet: a Library beyond the building

February 1, 2024

Ask a librarian, Victorian history:

Since our opening we have looked at ways to connect with people who cannot come to our building. This includes a Travelling Library, a Country Member Postal Service and a Lending Library

Online Collection Spotlight: Victorians on Film 

Online Collection Spotlight: Victorians on Film 

January 24, 2024

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights:

Interested in the early history of cinema? Curious about what daily life was like over 100 years ago? Would you like see the moon playing a banjo? Explore a collection of early cinematic wonders from the late Victorian and early Edwardian eras.

Exploring the world in Western History: the Hakluyt Society and other exploration resources

Exploring the world in Western History: the Hakluyt Society and other exploration resources

January 17, 2024

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights:

Embark on a journey through remarkable voyages with the State Library’s collection of print and electronic resources detailing first-hand accounts of historic exploration.

Online Collection Spotlight – Food History: Printed and Manuscript Recipe Books

Online Collection Spotlight – Food History: Printed and Manuscript Recipe Books

January 8, 2024

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights:

What did US President Kennedy enjoy for breakfast? How do I stop a nosebleed? What are some antidotes for poisoning? Find the answers using the database, Food History: Printed and Manuscript Recipe Books, a collection of books on cookery and domestic management.