5 things to do at the Library during White Night Melbourne

5 things to do at the Library during White Night Melbourne

February 16, 2017

Events:

You’re going to be spoilt for choice if you’re wandering around White Night Melbourne. Thankfully, we’ll have enough for you to see and do here at the Library that you won’t have to worry about deciding how to spend your time.

Say it with scorn: Vinegar valentines from the collection

Say it with scorn: Vinegar valentines from the collection

February 14, 2017

Our stories:

Rejection rather than affection was the theme of early 19th-century paper valentines.

Google Doodle, 9 February 2017

Access four centuries of women’s history with your library card

February 9, 2017

News:

In the late 1800’s, Aletta Jacobs and her husband C.V. Gerritsen began collecting books, pamphlets and periodicals reflecting the revolution of a feminist consciousness and the movement for women’s rights.

Intrada, 2016, c1974

New Listening in Arts: Shows & Soundtracks : Bright Star to Chinatown, and much more.

February 2, 2017

Film, Music, Rare Books & Arts:

For the New Year, some great new additions to the Library’s large and growing collection of film soundtracks, and Broadway musical cast albums. From classic scores like Chinatown and Mame, to the contemporary sounds of Waitress and… Read More ›

State Library Victoria calls for Fellowships for 2017

State Library Victoria calls for Fellowships for 2017

January 31, 2017

News:

Applications are now open for artists, performers, filmmakers, writers, composers – or anyone with an interesting idea – to tap into the State Library’s rich collections through its annual Fellowships program.

'Cruising in search of whales'

Castaway in the Siberian Arctic

January 31, 2017

People & professions, Such was life:

David Wilkinson joined Victoria’s first whaling expedition, aboard the ship Japan under the command of Frederick Barker. On 5 March 1869 Japan weighed anchor in Hobson’s Bay and commenced a voyage from which she would never return.

Inside the lab: How we prepare for an exhibition

Inside the lab: How we prepare for an exhibition

January 24, 2017

Collection Care, Conservation, Our stories, Registration and loans:

The Library’s Conservation department works behind-the-scenes to ensure all collection and loan material selected for an exhibition is prepared and installed to a museum standard. The recent installation of ON AIR: 40 years of 3RRR was no exception.

The last residential caretaker

The last residential caretaker

January 20, 2017

Our stories:

George Swain, the State Library’s last residential caretaker sadly passed away this week. A WWII veteran, he brought up a family of six children in an apartment on the roof of the Library’s dome, living there until the early 80s. In a post he wrote for the dome centenary in 2013, George reminisces about bringing up his family on the roof of the Library.

Family history as history

Family history as history

January 18, 2017

Family matters:

Welcome to our guest blogger – Walter Struve from the Information Services team. At what point do we see family histories as part of broader histories, both national and trans-national,… Read More ›

Richard Divall, By Londonopera (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Remembering Richard Divall

January 18, 2017

Rare Books & Arts:

A good friend to State Library Victoria, Maestro Richard Divall sadly passed away on the weekend after a long battle with cancer.

Such was life

Feasts of Christmas past

Feasts of Christmas past

December 15, 2025 0 comments

What are your favourite festive food memories? Have you ever enjoyed Christmas Day lunch on the beach, up a mountain or aboard a ship? Do you remember pineapple glazed ham? Would you like the 100-year-old recipe for walnut stuffing? The State Library’s historic menus, cookbooks, photos and magazines trace Christmas foods from early colonial tables to the festive flavours celebrated by our diverse migrant communities. Dive in and rediscover your favourite Christmas dishes — or find inspiration for this year’s feast.

Arts

Portraits of Melbourne artists in their studios

Portraits of Melbourne artists in their studios

December 8, 2025 0 comments

John Hinds, an artist, photographer and active ROAR member from 1986 to 1992 spent time capturing artists he personally knew and the spaces that they used to create their works. His photographs captured a unique and often unseen time and place, creating an invaluable insight into the art scene in Melbourne.