Ask a librarian

Collection Discovery: Children’s browsing collection

Collection Discovery: Children’s browsing collection

August 21, 2024

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights:

State Library Victoria has a collection of more than 4000 children’s books in our browsing collection, all of which are available in the Pauline Gandel Children’s Quarter. The collection spans from durable board books for the youngest learners to engaging graphic novels and detailed non-fiction for older children. With so many books to view we have created a collection discovery page to help families find the right book for them.

How our ‘genies’ saved the census

How our ‘genies’ saved the census

July 29, 2024

Ask a librarian, Family matters, Our stories, Victorian history:

Researchers visiting the Library are often dismayed when they discover that prior to 2001, there are no surviving census returns for individuals in the Colony of Victoria. What were the reasons behind the destruction of our census records? And how did our ‘genies’ save the day?

Wycheproof: heart of Victoria’s wheat belt

Wycheproof: heart of Victoria’s wheat belt

July 26, 2024

Ask a librarian, Our stories, Victorian history:

Wycheproof is a tiny Wimmera town set amid wheat fields and flat plains. It’s famous for the railway line running down the middle of the main street. Mount Wycheproof, the lowest mountain in the world, rises above the town. Wycheproof is no stranger to flood and drought. Join us to learn more.

Central map showing streets and allotments, surrounded by text. The text says there are 45 allotments, trains every ten minutes, and that the deposit required is ten pounds. Dalley’s Orchard (Riversdale Road, Henrietta Street and Marian Street), 1884

Online collection spotlight: Batten and Percy Auction Plans

July 19, 2024

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights:

As Melbourne began to be subdividen in the late nineteenth century, real estate agents produced maps and advertisements to advertise these land sales. In this blog post we take a closer look at these digitised plans and the sort of information they can reveal.

Pro Feminis a Feminis: Dr Constance Stone and her hospital ‘for women, run by women’

Pro Feminis a Feminis: Dr Constance Stone and her hospital ‘for women, run by women’

July 5, 2024

Ask a librarian, Victorian history:

On the 125th anniversary of its opening, we take a look at the story of the Queen Victoria Hospital for Women and its founder, Constance Stone – the first woman to be registered as a doctor in Australia.

Trapped in the snow: Alpine huts and the story of Cleve Cole

Trapped in the snow: Alpine huts and the story of Cleve Cole

June 28, 2024

Ask a librarian, Victorian history:

From as early as 1860, cattlemen built huts on Victoria’s high plain to protect themselves from the elements. In 1937 the Cleve Cole memorial hut was built to honour a lost Victorian skiing pioneer. Read on to discover this piece of Victoria’s alpine history.

Online Collection Spotlight: the Analysis & Policy Observatory (APO)

Online Collection Spotlight: the Analysis & Policy Observatory (APO)

June 22, 2024

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights:

The Analysis & Policy Observatory draws together high level research reports across public policy ranging from science and technology, the natural and built environment, to health, education and social issues.

Our favourite State Library spaces

Our favourite State Library spaces

June 19, 2024

Ask a librarian, Our stories:

Our librarians share what they love about their favourite spaces at State Library Victoria.

Snaps and stories: photo albums

Snaps and stories: photo albums

June 14, 2024

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights:

Covering a myriad of experiences – these albums range from the European grand tour, to the snaps, taken over many years recording working lives – places and faces; flower and vegetable gardens, and much loved pets.

Online Collection Spotlight – Refugees, Relief and Resettlement: Forced Migration and World War II

Online Collection Spotlight – Refugees, Relief and Resettlement: Forced Migration and World War II

May 17, 2024

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights:

Discover some of the official history of displaced persons and refugees in the post World War 2 period.