Our stories

The scientists and the cricket match

The scientists and the cricket match

January 5, 2021

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Our stories, Victorian history:

In March 1874, Melbourne played host to an unusual cricket match, featuring some of the most pre-eminent marine biologists in the world.

Melbourne’s first newspaper

Melbourne’s first newspaper

January 1, 2021

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Victorian history:

On New Year’s Day, 1838, pioneer John Pascoe Fawkner published Melbourne’s first newspaper. Printing presses were scarce in the colony, so Fawkner handwrote the newspaper himself…

Bushfires: protecting your treasures

Bushfires: protecting your treasures

December 22, 2020

Collection Care, Conservation, Preservation:

It’s bushfire season again. How can you reduce the risk of loss of treasured objects before a disaster and what sort of salvage strategies can you use to recover them? If you live in an area where bushfire is an all too real possibility, it’s never too soon to start planning for their preservation.

Carols by Candlelight

Carols by Candlelight

December 21, 2020

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Victorian history:

This cherished Aussie Christmas institution is now in its 85th year, and still bringing people together across the nation.

Constitution Hill at

Conservation rejuvenates ‘Constitution Hill at Sun set’

December 15, 2020

Collection Care, Conservation:

During the Library closure, Collection Care had the opportunity of attending to the conservation treatment of one of the Library’s iconic paintings, Constitution Hill by colonial artist John Glover. Recent conservation treatment has transformed its appearance and inspired a new appreciation of this important work.

by Cassandra Austen,drawing,circa 1810

The everlasting influence of Jane Austen

December 7, 2020

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights:

To celebrate Jane Austen’s birthday we look at how she continues to influence popular culture and explore the library’s collection of Jane Austen related material.

Getting your hands dirty with State Library Victoria

Getting your hands dirty with State Library Victoria

December 3, 2020

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Our stories, Research tips:

The sun is shining, time to get out in the garden! There are plenty of resources at State Library Victoria to help develop your green thumb.

The punk and alternative music scenes of St Kilda (and Melbourne) in the 1970s and 1980s

The punk and alternative music scenes of St Kilda (and Melbourne) in the 1970s and 1980s

November 30, 2020

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Our stories, Victorian history:

The Seaview Hotel in St Kilda became a spiritual home of Melbourne’s punk and alternative music scene in the 1970s and 1980s, initially due to an administrative error.

Great Ocean Road. Charles Daniel Pratt

“Road of a thousand charms”

November 24, 2020

Ask a librarian, Our stories, Victorian history:

A crowd of hundreds converged on Lorne on 26 November 1932 to celebrate the opening of the just completed Great Ocean Road.

World Philosophy Day

World Philosophy Day

November 16, 2020

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Our stories:

It’s World Philosophy Day. Dive into our extensive philosophy collections to be challenged and inspired by thinkers of the past and present.