Our stories

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.

Cigarette cards: preservation of a small, but unique collection

Cigarette cards: preservation of a small, but unique collection

July 10, 2020

Collection Care, Our stories, Preservation, Social life & customs:

Collectible cards as we know them today have a very long tradition, dating back to the mid-late nineteenth century with the production of cigarette cards. A small, but unique collection of these wonderful items were recently rehoused by our Preservation team.

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Joan Lindsay’s mysterious ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’

July 6, 2020

Ask a librarian, Victorian history:

‘Everyone agreed the day was just right for the picnic to Hanging Rock…’

Education in Colonial Victoria: a new collection for Trove

Education in Colonial Victoria: a new collection for Trove

July 2, 2020

Our stories:

By Paul Dee, Senior Librarian Victorian and Australian Collections Trove is the National Library’s online portal to more than 6 billion artefacts, curiosities and stories from Australia’s cultural, community and research institutions.… Read More ›

Transcribing the diaries of Joseph Jenkins from home

Transcribing the diaries of Joseph Jenkins from home

June 15, 2020

Our stories:

Joseph Jenkins (1818–98) was a farmer and poet from Tregaron, Wales. From his early twenties until his death, he kept a diary, written in both Welsh (his mother tongue) and… Read More ›