Unique format, unique challenges: pop-up and movable books at State Library Victoria

February 28, 2025

Collection Care, Conservation, Uncategorized:

At State Library Victoria we have close to 1000 pop-up and movable books, ranging from the mid-1600s to present day. These items represent one of few three-dimensional, interactive mediums in history that has enduring appeal. However, with great ingenuity come considerable conservation challenges. Learn about the factors that make pop-up and movable books so captivating, yet uniquely susceptible to physical wear and tear.

Melodrama in Miniature – the conservation treatment of model set pieces from the 1902 play ‘The Breaking of the Drought’

February 7, 2024

Collection Care, Conservation:

Theatre in early Melbourne was a vital part of community. Audiences were dazzled by the ambitious set designs of John Brunton, brought to the stage by Bland Holt’s immensely popular theatre company. Some model set pieces for plays such as The Breaking of the Drought have survived this whirlwind, finishing their journey within State Library Victoria’s walls. Careful conservation will allow this legacy to endure for many years to come.

Rosella Preserving Company

November 29, 2023

Collection Care, Conservation, Preservation:

Some companies preserve and conserve food stuffs, but here in Collection Care, we preserve and conserve Victoria’s cultural heritage. Which, fittingly enough, now includes archival material from the Rosella Preserving Company, an iconic Australian business celebrated for its sauces, pickles, canned fruits, jams, soups and vegetables. ‘Rosella’ is a name familiar to many households with the colourful parrot logo adorning its products, including the pantry staple tomato sauce.

Careful work for Howard Arkley’s ‘Casual Works’

November 1, 2023

Collection Care, Conservation:

State Library Victoria recently acquired 27 works on paper from Howard Arkley’s 1988 exhibition, Casual Works: Working Drawings, Source Material, Doodles, 1974-1987. This material forms part of a larger collection… Read More ›

Knitting, coding, and the stars: caring for a time-based media artwork in a library collection – Part 2

October 9, 2023

Collection Care, Conservation, Preventive conservation:

Through a two-part blog, gain a behind-the-scenes insight into ‘Stargazing’, a contemporary multimedia artwork that was the centrepiece of the Library’s Handmade Universe exhibition. Learn about the process of preparing it for display, a preventive conservation treatment undertaken once the artwork was deinstalled, and considerations for its care and future access.

Conservators prepare rare treasures for new digital exhibition

September 26, 2023

Collection Care, Conservation, Rare Books & Arts:

Come behind-the-scenes and learn how our conservators prepared a range of rare treasures for the new online exhibition, Beyond the Book: A digital journey through the John Emmerson Collection.

Knitting, coding, and the stars: caring for a time-based media artwork in a library collection – Part 1

August 4, 2023

Collection Care, Conservation, Exhibitions:

A-Z of Collection Care: Part 2

April 28, 2023

Collection Care, Conservation, Preservation, Tips and tricks:

Looking for some more insights into the day-to-day activities of the Library’s Collection Care team?

Part 2 of the A-Z of Collection Care series takes us from marvellous maps to pesky pests and beyond.

Reconstructing Brockhoff’s Crispette billboard – Part 3: Digitisation

March 28, 2023

Collection Care, Conservation, Digitisation:

In part 3 of this series, which was inspired by the conservation treatment of an enormous biscuit billboard, join our Digital Production team as they share the finer details of this complex digitisation process.

Reconstructing Brockhoff’s Crispette billboard – Part 2: Conservation treatment

March 28, 2023

Collection Care, Conservation:

In part 2 of this series, follow along as our paper conservators stabilise an enormous billboard for Brockhoff’s popular Crispette supper cracker.

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