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 ›

‘Here for you’: a new original artwork

‘Here for you’: a new original artwork

February 20, 2019

Our stories:

The Library forecourt has been the backdrop for 163 years of social change. Now it is emblazoned with the faces of influential change-makers from Australia’s history.

State Library Victoria calls for 2019 fellowship applications

State Library Victoria calls for 2019 fellowship applications

February 20, 2019

News:

Applications are now open for State Library Victoria’s major annual fellowships program, which encourages creative Australians to draw on the Library’s extensive collection for new work.

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.