Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Reference desk:
Most of the books in our collections are arranged by the Dewey Decimal Classification System. Join us on a tour of our stacks to explore Dewey number 305.42, which covers the subject of women and their role in society
Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Health:
What are the latest COVID-19 variants? How is a colonoscopy conducted? What are the side effects of anti-anxiety drugs?
Find out answers to these medical questions and more in the Gale Health and Wellness database.
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.
Ask a librarian, Victorian history:
Since our opening we have looked at ways to connect with people who cannot come to our building. This includes a Travelling Library, a Country Member Postal Service and a Lending Library
The State Library Victoria’s ebook collection continues to grow at a rapid place. We now provide free access to over 200,000 ebooks on such topics as social sciences, family history,… Read More ›
Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights:
Interested in the early history of cinema? Curious about what daily life was like over 100 years ago? Would you like see the moon playing a banjo? Explore a collection of early cinematic wonders from the late Victorian and early Edwardian eras.
Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights:
Embark on a journey through remarkable voyages with the State Library’s collection of print and electronic resources detailing first-hand accounts of historic exploration.
Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights:
What did US President Kennedy enjoy for breakfast? How do I stop a nosebleed? What are some antidotes for poisoning? Find the answers using the database, Food History: Printed and Manuscript Recipe Books, a collection of books on cookery and domestic management.
Photography, Social life & customs, Such was life:
The Etkins collection consists of wonderful portraits of people and places throughout 19th century Victoria.
Explore the wonderful summery artworks of Aileen Brown, and see how her intricate linocut prints are made.
The early 1900s was an exciting time to be a detective. Innovations in science and technology, combined with the popularity of detective stories shifted crime fighting away from the seedy world of informers, which had influenced the early years of policing, towards the detection of crime using scientific methods and forensic evidence. Find out about how one Victorian detective contributed to the development of police forensics.
John Hinds, an artist, photographer and active ROAR member from 1986 to 1992 spent time capturing artists he personally knew and the spaces that they used to create their works. His photographs captured a unique and often unseen time and place, creating an invaluable insight into the art scene in Melbourne.
