New Books: in their own words and pictures

New Books: in their own words and pictures

July 13, 2012

Rare Books & Arts:

A bigger message: conversations with David Hockney by Martin Gayford This is a lovely book made up of a series of conversations (“interview” sounds way too formal) between Hockney and… Read More ›

National Year of Reading teen reader prize awarded

July 10, 2012

News, Uncategorized:

  The eight winners of the National Year of Reading’s Read This! creative reading competition were announced today. readthis2012.com The Read This! competition asked 12-18 year-old readers to nominate a… Read More ›

State Library announces 2012-13 Fellowships

July 10, 2012

Collection, Education, Exhibitions, Family history events, Grants, Library services, News, Search, Talks, Uncategorized, Updates:

The State Library of Victoria is pleased to announce the 2012-13 Creative Fellowships awarded to researchers, writers, artists and scholars who will make creative use of the Library’s rich collections… Read More ›

Rare Persian Manuscripts Purchased After Successful Appeal

Rare Persian Manuscripts Purchased After Successful Appeal

July 10, 2012

About us, Collection, Education, Exhibitions, Family history events, News:

The State Library of Victoria is delighted to announce the acquisition of two extraordinary Persian manuscripts following a successful public appeal for their purchase.  The State Library of Victoria Foundation… Read More ›

Magic Pamphlets in the Alma collection

Magic Pamphlets in the Alma collection

July 6, 2012

Performing Arts, Rare Books & Arts:

One of the delights of the WG Alma Conjuring Collection is a collection of magic pamphlets. They cover a wide array of conjuring techniques from training doves and showmanship to… Read More ›

Music Boxes: Bette, Elvis and a whole lot more

Music Boxes: Bette, Elvis and a whole lot more

July 4, 2012

Rare Books & Arts:

The Library has a great collection of CD box sets featuring some of the world’s biggest names in recorded music.  Recent arrivals include: The Rolling Stones : the singles 1971-2006.… Read More ›

Ballet Screening: MacMillan Triple Bill

Ballet Screening: MacMillan Triple Bill

July 3, 2012

Rare Books & Arts:

Three MacMillan Ballets is the next program in the Arts on Film series to be screened this Wednesday July 4 in Arts. Featured are three very different ballets by renowned… Read More ›

Aboriginal Australians and family history

Aboriginal Australians and family history

June 29, 2012

Family history events, Family matters:

The Library’s Genealogy Team is pleased to announce the publication of the Aboriginal people and family history online Research Guide to coincide with NAIDOC Week (1-8 July 2012).

Ravi Shankar and the music of the world

Ravi Shankar and the music of the world

June 25, 2012

Music, Rare Books & Arts:

Don’t you love it when something comes along, quite unexpectedly, and just knocks your socks off? Taking a punt (as one should every so often) I recently bought a recording… Read More ›

Library retires Classic catalogue

June 22, 2012

Announcements, News:

Since launching in September 2009, the Library’s new-generation Search service has been enabling our users to find collection items in one easy search. Although our previous search tool, the Classic catalogue, has remained available, its older technology is not able to offer the same, easy-to-use features as our newer, more powerful online catalogue. To provide our users with the best possible search experience we have decided to retire the Classic catalogue and focus our resources on the Search service.

Such was life

Online Collection Spotlight: Trench journals and unit magazines of the First World War.

Online Collection Spotlight: Trench journals and unit magazines of the First World War.

April 20, 2026 0 comments

This Online Collection Spotlight examines WWI trench journals created by units from several combatant nation between 1914 and 1919. Produced in camps and battle zones, these handmade publications reveal humour, creativity, and resilience through poems, sketches, notes and stories.

Arts

Photographic portrait by Richard Beck of Ailsa O’Connor (1921-1980), political activist, painter, sculptor, author and teacher.

Ailsa O’Connor: highlights of a life of socialist activism, feminism and art

March 23, 2026 9 comments

Ailsa O’Connor (1921-1980) was a political activist, painter, sculptor, author and teacher. Throughout her art career she was a member of the Communist Party and associated with the Socialist Realist Group.