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Stephanie Alexander in her kitchen, photographer unknown (MS 13338, Box 16, File 7)

A culinary archive: discovering Stephanie’s

March 25, 2022

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Victorian history:

The 1970s and 80s saw a dramatic change in Melbourne’s restaurant scene. One of the most influential restaurants of this period was Stephanie Alexander’s restaurant, Stephanie’s. Through menus, photographs, recipes, notebooks and more, the Stephanie Alexander collection provides a taste of what it was like to eat at Stephanie’s in its heyday.

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.

Elizabeth Gould (1804-1841): Artist, traveller, wife and mother

Elizabeth Gould (1804-1841): Artist, traveller, wife and mother

March 18, 2022

Collection spotlights, Our stories:

This year in our World of the book exhibition, we celebrate the life and work of the artist Elizabeth Gould with a display including one of three rare original watercolours by Elizabeth from the Library’s collection. 

Family group, ca. 1870 to 1880. Families of five or more children were common in the Victorian era. [H2005.34/2086]

Online Collection Spotlight: The Malthusian, a collection in the Women’s Studies Archive

March 13, 2022

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Our stories:

Overpopulation was a huge social problem in 19th century Britain. Trailblazers like Annie Besant were tireless campaigners for the improvement of living conditions, birth control, and women’s rights. The Malthusian gives us a vivid lens into the living conditions of the poor, and a fascinating insight into the population issues from 1879 to 1921, which laid the groundwork for social reform in the twentieth century.

Lina Bryans & Melbourne’s modernist art scene

Lina Bryans & Melbourne’s modernist art scene

March 12, 2022

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Victorian history:

Discover the work of artist Lina Bryans and the modernist art scene in Melbourne.

Goodbye to Shirley Hughes

Goodbye to Shirley Hughes

March 7, 2022

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Our stories:

Farewell to Shirley Hughes, English author and illustrator of beloved children’s books Dogger and the Alfie series.

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.

‘Iceberg’ Irvine and the Kyabram Movement

‘Iceberg’ Irvine and the Kyabram Movement

February 25, 2022

Our stories, Victorian history:

In late 1901, locals in Kyabram found a common cause in government extravagance. Politician William ‘Iceberg’ Irvine saw an opportunity in aligning with the Kyabram Movement.

Riverside delights on the Yarra

Riverside delights on the Yarra

February 18, 2022

Ask a librarian, Victorian history:

“Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.” Ratty, Wind in the Willows. A relic of a time when much of early Melbourne’s leisure and recreational activity revolved around the Birrarung | Yarra river, the Studley Park boathouse is the oldest continually operating boathouse on the Yarra, possibly the oldest in Victoria.

Online Collection Spotlight: Gale Literature

Online Collection Spotlight: Gale Literature

February 13, 2022

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights:

The Gale Literature database draws together full text reviews and analysis of literature from around the world. It is exceptionally useful for students, bibliophiles, book clubbers or the casual reader.