Graham Berry & the Upper House

Graham Berry & the Upper House

May 26, 2022

Ask a librarian, Our stories, Victorian history:

Premier Graham Berry was a giant in the wild politics of 1870s Victoria. His battle with the Legislative Council resulted in mass sackings, freezing of budgets and a journey to London to try and woo the Imperial Government.

Journey through the collection: Georgia Metaxas

Journey through the collection: Georgia Metaxas

May 24, 2022

Collection spotlights, Photography:

Journey through the evocative early works of Greek-Australian photographer Georgia Metaxas, and be drawn into the world of community and performance.

Melba, Queen of Song

Melba, Queen of Song

May 19, 2022

opera, Our stories, Victorian history:

Dame Nellie Melba was a legend in every possible way: her voice of an angelic purity and perfect pitch, her fame never equaled by another Australian singer, a fame which extended worldwide from the time of her international debut in Brussels in 1887 until the late 1920s when she staged her final performances.

Researching school records

Researching school records

May 18, 2022

Collections, Family matters, Research tips & tricks:

The years spent at school made up a significant period of our lives. In this blog, we explore the different resources you can use to research your ancestor’s education in Victoria.

Archives of Sexuality & Gender: history, changes and reality

Archives of Sexuality & Gender: history, changes and reality

May 17, 2022

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights:

Join us as we explore the Archives of Sexuality and Gender. This amazing database illuminates the experiences of the LGBTIQ+ community across centuries, ethnicities, ages, religions, political orientations and geographical locations.

William Shakespeare, 1860, Sadd, H.S. (Henry Samuel), H88.46/1

Online Collection Spotlight: New Oxford Shakespeare

May 15, 2022

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights:

What exactly is ‘the wat’ry star’? What does ‘verily’ mean? And who really wrote the ‘Fly Scene’ in Titus Andronicus? Read on and discover the answers using the New Oxford Shakespeare database!

Image of a pandemic mask with digital word/ number 'Vote 1

The social distance election

May 14, 2022

Our stories, Politics:

The 2020 Victorian councils elections were conducted by post meaning the Library’s acquisition team had a huge task to ensure the election material was web-archived.

From Moonahculla to Melbourne: The life of Auntie Marge (Margaret) Tucker

From Moonahculla to Melbourne: The life of Auntie Marge (Margaret) Tucker

May 12, 2022

Our stories:

Auntie Marge Tucker was a changemaker, author and activist who campaigned for the rights of Aboriginal women.

Capturing politics & protest through ephemera

Capturing politics & protest through ephemera

May 12, 2022

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Victorian history:

The Riley and Political Ephemera Collection is a wide-ranging and living collection that captures political life in Victoria through the medium of ephemera.

Australian houses and European migration: architects, designers and builders.

Australian houses and European migration: architects, designers and builders.

May 7, 2022

Ask a librarian, Victorian history:

See some of the contribution of European migrants to architecture, design and home-making in Melbourne.

Such was life

Online Collection Spotlight: Bloomsbury Historic Dress in Detail

Online Collection Spotlight: Bloomsbury Historic Dress in Detail

December 23, 2025 0 comments

Watch the wonders of fashion unfold with this informative and visually stunning peak into the history of clothing. This video database, with companion articles, explores historical contexts, materials, and construction methods, enabling you to see how different garments were worn, and the function that each item served.

Arts

Online Collection Spotlight: American Music

Online Collection Spotlight: American Music

February 6, 2026 0 comments

From Willie Nelson to Dinah Washington, Muddy Waters to Flaco Jimenez, you can enjoy a journey across the diverse musical roots of America with the Music Online: American Music database. Hosting an astonishing array of talent the collection consists of almost 7000 albums and 120,000 songs.