A darkroom on wheels

A darkroom on wheels

March 27, 2019

Cities & towns, Such was life:

An itinerant immigrant from Scotland took some fascinating photos of the Western District in the 1850s.

State Library Victoria calls on public to save Australia’s greatest news pictures

State Library Victoria calls on public to save Australia’s greatest news pictures

March 26, 2019

News:

State Library Victoria today launched a public appeal to raise $75,000 to make the extensive archive of award-winning photographer Bruce Postle available to the public.

Elizabeth Batman's doll

Elizabeth Batman’s doll

March 20, 2019

Social life & customs, Such was life:

Elizabeth Batman’s doll is a fascinating relic from the earliest days of Melbourne.

Women changing the world, part two: political equality

Women changing the world, part two: political equality

March 20, 2019

Arts & literature, Our stories, Politics, Social life & customs:

Campaigns to secure the right to vote for women helped progress women’s political equality. Discover the ground-breaking women leading the charge through the rare books in this ‘World of the book’ display.

Image courtesy Marylebone Cricket Club

State Library Victoria scores the Ashes Urn

March 14, 2019

Exhibitions, News:

The iconic Ashes Urn is leaving Lord’s Cricket Ground for only the third time in its 137-year history to feature in State Library Victoria’s brand new exhibition, ‘Velvet, Iron, Ashes’.

Melbourne’s lost department stores

Melbourne’s lost department stores

March 6, 2019

Buildings & streets, Our stories, Social life & customs:

Melbourne and shopping have been hand in glove since the 1880s, and at its peak the city flaunted more than a dozen department stores.

Precious correspondence from Australian feminist, writer and poet Mary Fullerton

Precious correspondence from Australian feminist, writer and poet Mary Fullerton

March 4, 2019

Arts & literature, Our stories:

Within the papers of a Victorian farmer from Beaconsfield, are a series of letters from his aunt, Mary Fullerton, an Australian author and a vocal member of the women’s suffrage movement.

Women changing the world, part one: intellectual equality

Women changing the world, part one: intellectual equality

March 4, 2019

Arts & literature, Our stories, Politics, Social life & customs:

Explore the history of the struggle for women’s equality – intellectual, political, and physical – in this three-part series.

A determined dreamer: the life and art of Phyl Waterhouse

A determined dreamer: the life and art of Phyl Waterhouse

March 4, 2019

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.

New Sights and Sounds in Arts

New Sights and Sounds in Arts

February 20, 2019

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 ›

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.