Arts & literature, Our stories:
A prolific artist, Phyl Waterhouse is represented in the collections of most major Australian galleries, although she arguably did not receive sufficient critical attention in her lifetime.
Film, Music, Popular music, Rare Books & Arts:
Some great new arrivals in Arts include recent releases and acquisitions in opera, ballet, classical music, film soundtracks and musicals on CD, DVD and Blu-Ray. There’s something for everyone to enjoy!… Read More ›
Arts & literature, Such was life:
In 1937 the Library received 24 original works by William Henry Fox Talbot, one of the inventors of photography.
Take a look back at the 2018 additions to the Library’s eresources collection, as well as the most popular eresources for the year. Registered Victorian State Library members can access over 267,969 full text eresources – many from home.
Guns on the Western Front fell silent one hundred years ago, at 11am on 11 November 1918, bringing to an end what we remember as the First World War.
Painting, Rare Books & Arts, Visual arts:
One of Australia’s most famous artists of the time, Max Meldrum even had followers with their own nickname, the Meldrumites. But with his vocal opinions he was not without detractors and controversy. Read about his influence on the artists that formed Montsalvat.
Film, Music, Rare Books & Arts:
There are some great new arrivals in pop, rock, film soundtracks, opera and classical featuring the following additions to the Library’s music collection, currently showcased on our wonderful new listening posts in the Arts Reading Room.
When you step outside your comfort zone to explore the world, suddenly a little book is the only safety blanket you’ve got. Whether the iconic red bindings of a Murray or Baedeker, or a dogeared Lonely Planet, travel guides have been clutched in the hands of discerning travellers the world over. Discover their varied forms in our collection.
Social life & customs, Such was life:
The ancient art of bellringing is harder than it looks. Bellringers require confidence and stamina, not to mention an excellent memory.
Arts & literature, Our stories:
Throughout history, when those in power have felt threatened by the ‘dangerous’ ideas contained in the pages of books, the offending books have been banned, stripped from shelves, and even burned. But censorship isn’t just a thing of the past. Take a look at prohibited and censored books, old and new.
