It’s alive! The first illustrated representation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.

It’s alive! The first illustrated representation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.

December 17, 2021

Collection spotlights, New books, Our stories, Rare Books & Arts:

State Library Victoria recently acquired an 1832 printing of the third edition of Mary Shelley’s, Frankenstein for its Rare Book Collection.

Coming soon – the 1921 England and Wales census

Coming soon – the 1921 England and Wales census

December 16, 2021

Family matters, Research tips & tricks, Websites:

Great news for family historians. On the 6th January, the 1921 Census for England and Wales will be published online through FindMyPast, in partnership with the National Archives UK. The… Read More ›

Collection Discovery

Collection Discovery

December 10, 2021

Ask a librarian, Research tips, Tips and tricks:

Introducing Collection Discovery, a new way of exploring curated collections of material digitised by the Library.

H83.230/32

Online Collection Spotlight: National Geographic Archive

December 9, 2021

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights:

Which Australian animal has been described as “an impossible patchwork creature”?
Explore stories and pictures from around the world with our National Geographic archive.

Celebrating 30,000 maps and plans digitised at the Library

Celebrating 30,000 maps and plans digitised at the Library

December 6, 2021

Collection, News:

In recognition of a recent significant milestone, we’re exploring some highlights of our substantial Maps Collection.

Opening Doors for people with disability

Opening Doors for people with disability

December 3, 2021

Collection spotlights, Our stories:

Earlier this year, the Library acquired a photographic series which documents people living with disability, posed in their own home environment.

Journey through the collection: Ashton’s 19th century sketchbook

Journey through the collection: Ashton’s 19th century sketchbook

November 26, 2021

Collection spotlights, Victorian history, Visual arts:

A little sketchbook with a lot of stories. How did the newsworthy events of the 1880s go from pocket sketches to newspaper illustrations?

La Trobe Reading Room, State Library Victoria

A poem for the dome

November 25, 2021

News:

Writer, poet and broadcaster Alicia Sometimes has penned a touching poem dedicated to the La Trobe Reading Room.

Australia’s own car

Australia’s own car

November 25, 2021

Ask a librarian, Our stories, Victorian history:

On 29 November, 1948, the first Holden motor car was unveiled at General Motors Holden (GMH). The launch of the Holden was a watershed moment for the nation: it represented the first time a motor vehicle had been wholly built in Australia.

Stuart Macintyre, courtesy of Melbourne University Publishing

Vale Professor Stuart Forbes Macintyre, AO

November 24, 2021

Announcements, News:

It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing this week of eminent historian and Friend of the Library, Cultural member and former Library Board member Professor Stuart Forbes Macintyre, AO.

Such was life

A passion for adventure: Agatha Christie in Victoria

A passion for adventure: Agatha Christie in Victoria

January 13, 2025 2 comments

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…

Arts

Victoria’s State Artist: Harold Freedman

Victoria’s State Artist: Harold Freedman

December 10, 2024 0 comments

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.