Post Tagged with: "state library of victoria"

Elevated view of Domed Reading Room, State Library of Victoria, 1984, H84.376/2

The dais in the Dome

July 17, 2023

Buildings & streets, Our stories, People & professions, Such was life, Victorian history:

Once upon a time a staff member sat in the Dais in the La Trobe Reading Room, watching over any chattering public. We asked two long term SLV librarians how this used to work.

Gas lighting in (Ian Potter) Queens Hall. Charles Nettleton

Let there be light

May 29, 2022

Ask a librarian:

Within months of our Library opening in 1856 gas lighting was installed to allow the Library to stay open in the evenings. However, there were some unforeseen problems, and the gas lights were later replaced by electricity.

Evolution of the people’s forecourt

Evolution of the people’s forecourt

May 2, 2022

Ask a librarian, Our stories, Victorian history:

State Library Victoria was not always a popular venue for rallies, protests and public speakers in the Melbourne CBD. So when did it become the norm?

The breaking of the drought: silent movies and photography

The breaking of the drought: silent movies and photography

July 30, 2018

Arts & literature, Such was life:

The Library has digitised some wonderful photographs taken during the filming of the 1920 Australian silent movie, ‘The breaking of the drought.’ Melodrama, song, dance, water ballet, seduction, ruin and redemption; this movie has it all. And a happy ending too.

The redeveloped Ian Potter Queen's Hall.

Revealed today – Architectural designs for State Library Victoria

March 30, 2017

Announcements, News:

State Library Victoria is proud to reveal the new designs for its $88.1 million redevelopment, Vision 2020. The new designs, created by internationally acclaimed firms Architectus and Denmark’s Schmidt Hammer Lassen, will transform this iconic Melbourne institution and open up 40% more space to the public.

The owl and the heiress: The life of one book over six centuries

The owl and the heiress: The life of one book over six centuries

March 29, 2017

Arts & literature, Our stories:

What do Athena’s little owl, an unashamedly unmarried Chicago heiress, and the Heide School of modernist Australian artists have in common? A book in our collection, as it turns out… Recently I… Read More ›

State Library Victoria: open for 160 years

State Library Victoria: open for 160 years

February 11, 2016

Cities & towns, Such was life:

On the Library’s 160th birthday we look at events which have shaped Victoria since 1856.

Captain Cook’s cottage

Captain Cook’s cottage

January 15, 2014

Buildings & streets, Such was life:

Captain Cooks’ cottage, located in Fitzroy Gardens, was initially built by Captain Cook’s family in the town of Great Ayton in Yorkshire, England.

The public library in 2030

The public library in 2030

June 19, 2013

Announcements, News:

A new report produced by the State Library of Victoria and Public Libraries Victoria Network explores what public libraries may look like in 2030 and the results may surprise you.

Happy birthday Sir Redmond Barry

Happy birthday Sir Redmond Barry

June 7, 2013

About us, News:

Today we celebrate the 200th birthday of Sir Redmond Barry, founding trustee of the Library. Sir Redmond Barry (1813 – 1880) was an Anglo-Irish lawyer who arrived in Melbourne in… Read More ›