State Library Victoria Ask a librarian

A short chronicle of the sorrows of George Edwards: poet, playwright, prisoner

June 20, 2025

People & professions, Victorian history:

‘A short chronicle of the sorrows of George Edwards’ is a unique set of papers in our manuscripts collection that documents the prison life and creative output of George Edwards, a prisoner at Pentridge Prison in the 1870s. His secret papers were wrapped in strips of prison sheets and wedged within the walls of the prison to avoid detection. Find out how they made their way to the State Library collection.

Strizic, Mark, Siemens Aust. Pty Ltd building, 189 William Street, Melbourne, H2008.11/2294

Online Collection Spotlight: Multi-subject databases

June 13, 2025

Collection spotlights, Research tips:

Delve into the vast array of online resources in our multi-subject category.

Detective Inspector Christie: Victoria’s master of disguise

June 6, 2025

Arts & literature, Ask a librarian, People & professions, Victorian history:

Detective Inspector John Christie was one of Victoria’s most well-known detectives. His use of disguises to catch opium smugglers, diamond thieves, moonshiners, and murderers saw him hailed as the Sherlock Holmes of Australia.

The last theatre on Bourke Street: an archival history of the Metro Nightclub and Palace Theatre

May 28, 2025

Arts & literature, Ask a librarian, Buildings & streets, Music, Performing Arts, Theatre, Victorian history:

Take a trip through the State Library archives to remember the many incarnations of the Metro Nightclub and Palace Theatre from 1854 until it closed its doors in May 2014.

Sherlock Holmes and spiritualism: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in Victoria

May 22, 2025

Arts & literature, People & professions, Victorian history:

Dust off your deerstalkers and polish your magnifying glasses! Today (22nd May) is Sherlock Holmes Day, where the world celebrates the birthday of this super-sleuth’s creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Listening to the enemy: Melbourne’s radio listening post in World War II

April 21, 2025

Ask a librarian, Our stories, Victorian history:

During World War II, radio broadcasts were used to convey military news and to boost morale. Radio was also the perfect medium to spread propaganda to the enemy, with the aim of belittling or demoralising enemy forces and civilian populations. Read the intriguing story of how a Melbourne short wave station recorded Japanese propaganda messages to help the allied war effort.

Make believe and misinformation: a guide for cutting through information overload

April 15, 2025

Ask a librarian, Research tips:

At a time when trust in news and media reporting in Australia is decreasing, misinformation is probably one of the most pressing issues for librarians today. State Library Victoria’s brand new Misinformation research guide gathers resources held in the Library’s collections, adjacent to the case studies examined in the new Make Believe: Encounters with Misinformation exhibition, as well as tools to help identify misinformation and fake news.

Online Collection Spotlight: The Making of the Modern World

April 11, 2025

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Our stories, Uncategorized:

This post explores another of our Gale databases – The Making of the Modern World – as it charts the spread of Western wealth, trade and colonial takeovers, and of knowledge and ideas.

Reconnecting with ‘The silver brumby’

April 2, 2025

Ask a librarian, Cities & towns, Such was life, Victorian history:

Librarian Daniel Giddens reconnects with one of his favourite children’s stories, ‘The silver brumby’, sharing what makes it so special to him, as well as exploring the background of its author, and the history and significance of its publication.

Online Collection Spotlight: Women’s Voices and Life Writing, 1600-1968

March 7, 2025

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights:

What was it like being a debutante on the lookout for a husband in the 1800s? Or serving in the Women’s Land Army in the Second World War? This database provides access to a treasure trove of manuscripts, diaries and oral histories, offering a unique insight into the lives of women, their thoughts, feelings and experiences, told in their own words.

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