Our stories

The riotous Williams

The riotous Williams

September 17, 2020

Ask a librarian, Victorian history:

Melbourne’s Elizabeth Street was once a waterway known as Williams Creek. Today, the creek runs underground, but every now and then, it returns with a vengeance…

A tale of two lions

A tale of two lions

September 16, 2020

Ask a librarian, Our stories, Victorian history:

What do Melbourne’s first amusement park, a cafe and a court case have in common? The answer may not be what you think!

Carl Van Vechten photographer QS:P170,Q312851, Roald Dahl, marked as public domain, more details on Wikimedia Commons
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Roald_Dahl.jpg

Happy birthday to Roald Dahl

September 11, 2020

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Our stories:

Most of us are very familiar with the wonderful stories of Roald Dahl, but did you know about his life-saving invention in the field of neuroscience?

A turn around the garden: Victorian flora in the State collection

A turn around the garden: Victorian flora in the State collection

August 31, 2020

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights:

Join us for a turn around the garden as we explore depictions of Victorian flora in the Library’s collections.

The atomic anniversary

The atomic anniversary

August 20, 2020

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Our stories:

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the dropping of the first atomic weapons on Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of WWII. Explore the Library’s resources relating to this event and the nuclear age.

Adam Lindsay Gordon and the Adam & Eve Hotel

Adam Lindsay Gordon and the Adam & Eve Hotel

August 7, 2020

Collection Care, Preservation, Such was life:

A photograph of an old cottage inspires an investigation into the connections between Australian author Adam Lindsay Gordon, John Kinmont Moir and the mysterious Adam & Eve Hotel.

Perfecting the lighting of a series of exhibition prints during installation

The changing face of Victoria: behind-the-scenes with Conservation

August 6, 2020

Collection Care, Conservation, Registration and loans:

The Conservation department play a major role in the development of exhibitions at the Library. We recently completed work on the installation of the Changing Face of Victoria exhibition, which this year involved preparing over 150 items for display.

Fireworks in Little Bourke street

Fireworks in Little Bourke street

August 4, 2020

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

There’s an air of intrigue around these deserted Chinese shopfronts, captured by artist Eric Thake in Melbourne during World War II

Victorian patents: a window on the past

Victorian patents: a window on the past

July 23, 2020

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Our stories:

From the world’s first commercial ice-making machine to a cycling skirt made especially for women, the Library’s collection of Victorian patents is a fascinating window into the lives of our forebears

The grandstand in Beech Forest

The grandstand in Beech Forest

July 13, 2020

Ask a librarian, Our stories, Reference desk, Victorian history:

A grandstand made out of a tree stump? A racecourse in a forest? Join us as we ponder our question of the week.