Carl Van Vechten photographer QS:P170,Q312851, Roald Dahl, marked as public domain, more details on Wikimedia Commons
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Roald_Dahl.jpg

Happy birthday to Roald Dahl

September 11, 2020

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Our stories:

Most of us are very familiar with the wonderful stories of Roald Dahl, but did you know about his life-saving invention in the field of neuroscience?

To the land of Hope! Mid 19th century voyages from the UK to Victoria.

To the land of Hope! Mid 19th century voyages from the UK to Victoria.

September 2, 2020

Family matters:

Explores some often overlooked aspects of the migrant’s journey, including their motivation for emigrating, making preparations, leaving home for the last time, arriving at the port of departure, the voyage and life on board the ship. 

A turn around the garden: Victorian flora in the State collection

A turn around the garden: Victorian flora in the State collection

August 31, 2020

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights:

Join us for a turn around the garden as we explore depictions of Victorian flora in the Library’s collections.

‘Dear Yat’: postcards from a prime minister

‘Dear Yat’: postcards from a prime minister

August 24, 2020

Politics, Such was life:

A small collection of correspondence provides glimpses of a life-long friendship between Yatala Ovenden and John Curtin, who met while both members of the Victorian Socialist Party.

The atomic anniversary

The atomic anniversary

August 20, 2020

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Our stories:

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the dropping of the first atomic weapons on Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of WWII. Explore the Library’s resources relating to this event and the nuclear age.

Melbourne celebrates Victory in the Pacific Day

Melbourne celebrates Victory in the Pacific Day

August 14, 2020

Social life & customs, Such was life, War:

Melbourne has likely never seen such an outbreak of spontaneous rejoicing and mass celebration, as it did on Victory in the Pacific Day, August 15 1945.

National Family History Month

National Family History Month

August 13, 2020

Family matters:

August is National Family History Month and  there’s no better time to delve into your family history research. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced researcher, State Library Victoria has a wealth… Read More ›

The voyage of the Hercules

The voyage of the Hercules

August 12, 2020

Family matters:

In the 19th century the voyage to Australia was long and arduous. Emigrants faced the constant threat of disease and malnutrition, the danger of storms or shipwrecks, and the possibility… Read More ›

Adam Lindsay Gordon and the Adam & Eve Hotel

Adam Lindsay Gordon and the Adam & Eve Hotel

August 7, 2020

Collection Care, Preservation, Such was life:

A photograph of an old cottage inspires an investigation into the connections between Australian author Adam Lindsay Gordon, John Kinmont Moir and the mysterious Adam & Eve Hotel.

The Smith Trams and Trains Collection

The Smith Trams and Trains Collection

August 6, 2020

Buildings & streets, Photography, Such was life:

The Library has recently digitised hundreds of images of Victorian trams and trains captured by a visiting enthusiast in the 1960s.

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: 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.