Discover your transformed State Library

Discover your transformed State Library

October 3, 2018

Library services, News:

As well as opening new spaces and entrances at the Library, we’ve introduced new ways of interacting with Library staff, collections and services. Get to know your Library with this guide to what’s new.

Pyramids and Sphinx, Egypt, H2002.80/6

Travel guides for the discerning traveller

October 1, 2018

Our stories:

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.

The ancient art of bellringing

The ancient art of bellringing

October 1, 2018

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.

Banned books

Banned books

September 26, 2018

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.

Major $20,000 public art commission awarded to Melbourne artist, Tai Snaith

Major $20,000 public art commission awarded to Melbourne artist, Tai Snaith

September 21, 2018

Announcements, Exhibitions, News:

A large-scale public artwork by Melbourne artist Tai Snaith was unveiled inside the first of the new spaces officially opened as part of State Library Victoria’s $88.1 million redevelopment project.

Bookings open for online family history course

Bookings open for online family history course

September 20, 2018

Branching Out, Family matters:

Interested in researching your Victorian family history? Why not try our free online family history course Branching out.

Illustrated children’s books: Kay Nielsen (1886-1957)

Illustrated children’s books: Kay Nielsen (1886-1957)

September 10, 2018

Arts & literature, Our stories:

Kay Nielsen’s delicate illustrations combined the exquisite motifs of the Art Nouveau movement with oriental influences. The elaborate, decorative artworks bring brilliant colour tinged with a hint of eeriness to the pages of children’s fairy tales.

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment South Pacific, c2008, c1992

New Sights: Australian classics and much more

September 10, 2018

Film, Musicals, Performing Arts, Rare Books & Arts:

Some great new arrivals in Arts include classic Australian movies, timeless musical favourites, live rock concerts and opera hits on DVD and Blu-Ray. The Dish. (DVD) They’re a Weird Mob. (DVD)… Read More ›

Beauty spots: from facial flaws to fashion statements

Beauty spots: from facial flaws to fashion statements

September 6, 2018

Social life & customs, Such was life, Theatre:

Under the eye or the corner of the mouth? Does the position of your beauty spot mean you are a flirt, engaged or just cheeky? Stars, pigs and horses; from the eighteenth century onward, the beauty spot has an alluring past.

Family, possibly the Newtons, out on a drive in the country.
H2002.106/159

Why can’t I find my ancestor?

August 9, 2018

Family matters:

When searching for family history records it’s not unusual to encounter ‘brick walls’ or barriers. Learn strategies for dealing with some of the common obstacles you may face when researching Victorian records.

Such was life

Digitised dogs

Digitised dogs

August 26, 2024 0 comments

Celebrating this much loved (and digitised) species on International Dog Day.

Arts

Portrait of Ken Pound for the Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants oral history project, 2010. Photo by Gwenda Davey. This work is in copyright. National Library of Australia; nla.obj-228944556

‘It really belongs to you people anyway…’: The story of Ken Pound

August 19, 2024 4 comments

To celebrate the Children’s Book Council of Australia Week, we pay tribute to the life of children’s literature collector, Ken Pound, and the collection he has left for us all.