State Library Victoria

Happy birthday to us: Redmond Barry and the Library

February 11, 2025

Ask a librarian, Our stories, Victorian history:

On 11 February our Library celebrates our 169th birthday. While based on the world’s great libraries, our Library was also a radical departure. Ours was a library with unrestricted access to anyone over 14, with every book available to view. The primary driver of the Library was Redmond Barry. While generally remembered as the judge at the Ned Kelly trial, Redmond Barry’s pioneering contribution to Melbourne’s cultural and educational heritage is unsurpassed

‘Shooting the chute’ at Princes Court

January 24, 2025

Ask a librarian, Victorian history:

What could be considered Australia’s first major amusement park – Princes Court – opened in 1904 on the banks of Melbourne’s Yarra River. Visitors had a range of amusements to choose from, including the 70-foot-high water chute ride, toboggan tracks and a Japanese tea house.

Online Collection Spotlight: Life at sea

January 17, 2025

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights:

Where can I learn about the American whaling industry? What would a ship’s master have in his chest? What would the dying words of a pirate be? And can anyone help me to tell the flags of the Union and Orient shipping lines apart? Find out all of this and more in the AM Digital database Life at Sea: Seafaring in the Anglo-American Maritime World, 1600-1900.

A passion for adventure: Agatha Christie in Victoria

January 13, 2025

Arts & literature:

In 1922 Agatha Christie accompanied her husband on an around the world tour to promote the British Empire Exhibition in 1924. On her travels, she spent 10 days in Victoria- find out what she thought…

A ghost story for Christmas

December 23, 2024

Arts & literature, Our stories, Social life & customs, Victorian history:

Colonial Australians have always battled to bring British and European traditions to the Christmas season. Roast meat and gravy, puddings and finery can still be found at many Christmas events. What is less likely to be found is the curious tradition of the Christmas Eve ghost story.

Online Collection Spotlight. British Theatre, Music and Literature: High and Popular Culture

December 20, 2024

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Our stories:

Ever wanted to peer inside a penny dreadful? Or wondered who the Wandering Minstrels were? Join us as we explore the arts world of Victorian-era Britain with Gale’s British Theatre, Music, and Literature: High and Popular Culture database.

Melbourne Out Loud: The photography of Rennie Ellis

December 17, 2024

Ask a librarian, Exhibitions, Our stories, Social life & customs:

The Melbourne Out Loud exhibition celebrates and showcases the life and work of Victorian photographer Rennie Ellis. Ellis’ photography documented a spectrum of Australian culture and life from the 1960s onwards. Here we explore the exhibition themes and showcase some favourite images.

Victoria’s State Artist: Harold Freedman

December 10, 2024

Ask a librarian, Painting, Victorian history:

Cavalacde of Transport, The Story of Fire and The history of Australian thoroughbred racing are some of Melbourne’s largest and most seen artworks. These were from the hands of Harold Freedman, locally born and bred, whose exploration of monumental art came later in his life.

Discovering Oscar Wilde through State Library Victoria’s collection

November 28, 2024

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Uncategorized:

The State Library Victoria collection holds many resources for those interested in Oscar Wilde’s writings and life. Through newspapers, databases, books and manuscripts we explore the life of this wonderful Irish writer.