State Library Victoria

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✨ Visit us 10am-6pm, daily. We ask that all participants follow these guidelines*. Trolls are not welcome.)

Social media and online community guidelines

State Library Victoria has a number of online and social media channels and we encourage you to join us to share your stories, knowledge and discoveries with us and other users. Where the specific channel allows it, please feel free to contribute your own historical photos and items to the discussion as well. It is important that our online environment

s are places where members feel confident in their ability to participate without fear of inappropriate response. To maintain online communities that are safe, respectful and constructive, we have created a set of Community Guidelines that govern all individual behaviour across all of our social media and online communities. Guidelines:
Remain respectful – please be respectful of others and their opinions and refrain from behaviour which is offensive or discriminatory. This includes the use of swear words or other language which is likely to offend and views that are racist, sexist, homophobic, sexually explicit or otherwise objectionable. Don’t get personal – do not harass others or make personal attacks. Be yourself – please post under your own name. Comments from anonymous, misleading or suspicious profile names may be deleted, regardless of topic. Stay on topic – we will gladly address any genuine concerns related to a library-related post, but off-topic, inflammatory, repetitive, offensive, defamatory or inappropriate comments will be deleted. Protect your identity – do not reveal any personal or sensitive information about yourself or others. We may ask to take a conversation offline if it is of a sensitive nature. Observe the law – do not post anything which breaks the law or encourages others to engage in unlawful activity, such as breach of copyright, defamation or contempt of court. Stay safe – do not describe or encourage activities which could endanger the safety or well-being of others. No SPAM – do not post or repost information or links to advertisements, requests or offers, or anything else that could be considered to have a commercial motivation. Observe channel rules – in addition to our own requirements, be sure to observe the policies of the specific social media channels that you are using – including the rules of Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, G+, Instagram, and Youtube. (*Please note that behaviour which is deemed by us to be anti-social or personal will not be tolerated. We reserve the right to delete inappropriate activity and to ban any community member who consistently demonstrates this type of behaviour. The Library reserves the right to re-use your contributions in publications and on our other websites or partner websites such as the National Library's Trove. The Library will not disclose your name or any other personal details as outlined in our Privacy statement. We may respond to comments and reviews at our discretion. If you have a specific question about any item in our collection, please ask a librarian. Disclaimer
While every effort is made to ensure that the content posted by us on our online and social channels is current and accurate, we accept no liability for the accuracy, completeness or currency of that information and disclaim all liability to any person in relation to, or, in the use of, the information or data. Comments and posts made by members of our online communities are the views of those individuals only and do not reflect the views or opinions of the State Library Victoria. Links to external sites are beyond our control. It is the user's responsibility to judge the accuracy and reliability of the information therein. https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/legal

💞 Have you wandered through Rebel Heart: Love letters and other declarations and spied this magnificent mourning brooch?...
04/06/2026

💞 Have you wandered through Rebel Heart: Love letters and other declarations and spied this magnificent mourning brooch?

Sitting among stories of defiance and devotion, this small but powerful piece is made from the hair of Anne Drysdale and Caroline Newcomb – two pioneering women who shared a lifelong partnership near Geelong in the 19th century.

Mourning jewellery flourished in the Victorian era as a way to express grief and remembrance after the death of a loved one – the inclusion of hair allowed the wearer to keep a physical trace of them close to their body.

This deeply personal, extremely fragile brooch is a tender reminder of a relationship that defied convention.

👉 Learn more about the rebel hearts of Anne and Caroline and how our conservators have cared for this rare and delicate treasure: https://blogs.slv.vic.gov.au/our-stories/collection-care/a-rebel-heart-remembered-the-story-behind-a-remarkable-mourning-brooch/

💌 See it in Rebel Heart before it comes off display in mid-June to ensure its ongoing preservation.

Today is Mabo Day, and the last day of Reconciliation Week. 3 June marks the historic 1992 Mabo decision in which the Hi...
03/06/2026

Today is Mabo Day, and the last day of Reconciliation Week.

3 June marks the historic 1992 Mabo decision in which the High Court of Australia recognised native title, the recognition that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights over their lands did survive British colonisation.

Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Our Indigenous research guides are one way to continue that journey. Whether you're researching family history, exploring First Peoples' culture, or learning about the long history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, these guides can help you navigate the Library's collections and resources.

Continue your research with our guides and databases: https://guides.slv.vic.gov.au/indigenous

A famous boxing kangaroo named Jack. The Myer Christmas windows. Secret tunnels under a seaside mansion. 🗺️ These are ju...
02/06/2026

A famous boxing kangaroo named Jack. The Myer Christmas windows. Secret tunnels under a seaside mansion. 🗺️

These are just some of the topics our patrons have asked librarian Kylie Best for help exploring.

Our incredible reference librarians roam every corner of the city block that is the Library building – including subterranean storage spaces – to consult books, microfilm, newspapers, journals, manuscripts, images, ephemera and more to answer your most curious questions.

Whether you're a seasoned researcher or visiting the Library for the first time, our Ask a Librarian service is available to help with your next discovery.

🧐 As we celebrate the Library’s 170th anniversary, learn more about the wonderful work of our reference librarians: blogs.slv.vic.gov.au/our-stories/ask-a-librarian/a-map-in-the-maze-ask-a-librarian-at-state-library-victoria/

Sorry to say it, Melbourne, but winter has officially arrived. ❄️These Victorian snow scenes have us feeling the chill a...
01/06/2026

Sorry to say it, Melbourne, but winter has officially arrived. ❄️

These Victorian snow scenes have us feeling the chill already.

The plus side? It’s curl-up-with-a-good-book season.
As the days get shorter and the nights get colder, we think it's time to rug up and get reading. 📖

National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievemen...
30/05/2026

National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to consider how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

The National Reconciliation Week theme, All In makes clear that reconciliation is not a spectator sport and that all of us must step away from the sidelines and take action to make change.

This week in the Redmond Barry Reading Room find a curated collection of books by First Peoples authors, with stories that deepen understanding and help shape the path ahead.

Creative Acts reveals the extraordinary journeys behind artistic creation – where the process is as powerful as the outc...
28/05/2026

Creative Acts reveals the extraordinary journeys behind artistic creation – where the process is as powerful as the outcome. The exhibition uncovers the connections, rituals and deeply personal quests that shape their work. 🎨

Dr Deanne Gilson is a proud Wadawurrung woman and artist living and working on her ancestral home of Ballarat. Her practice revolves around her spiritual connection to Country and her Creation story, drawing inspiration from generational storytelling traditions and strong family connections. She draws on this ancestral knowledge through her matriarchal line.

In her commission, Bundjil the Eaglehawk and Creator of Kulin Country depicts the Wadawurrung Creation story from spirit form to life and back again to stars in the night sky.

🌙 Hear from Dr Deanne Gilson tonight at Library up Late: https://bit.ly/4ulQppf
📆 Exhibition closes this Sunday, plan your visit: https://bit.ly/4d9fFYe

National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconci...
27/05/2026

National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

This year marks 25 years of Reconciliation Australia and the 2026 theme All In, a call for all Australians to commit wholeheartedly to reconciliation every single day.

All In makes clear that reconciliation is not a spectator sport and that all of us must step away from the sidelines and take action to make change.

Making weekend plans? Start your Friday night at Library Up Late. ✨Step into an after-dark playground of art, music and ...
25/05/2026

Making weekend plans? Start your Friday night at Library Up Late. ✨

Step into an after-dark playground of art, music and imagination as State Library Victoria comes alive for the launch of Rising Melbourne.

Wander through sound, music, art and performance; from shimmering soundscapes in the Dome to concert experiences in the Ian Potter Queens Hall, moments of reflection with after-hours access to our exhibitions, or ignite your own creative spark with artist talks and collage poetry.

Book now: https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/whats-on/library-late-x-rising

The State Library after dark? Immediately yes. For one night only, RISING turns the building into a late-night playground of sound, dance, DJs, choir, letter-writing and the Dome reimagined as a Sonic Temple. It’s giving romance, intellect and a very good reason to stay out past your bedtime. Tap the link to find out when, and discover the other RISING moments Melbourne will be talking about 👉 https://ebx.sh/8m0FSz

📷 RISING and State Library of Victoria

The people have gone home, the lights are dimmed, and the Library is settling in for the night. It’s time for Storytime ...
25/05/2026

The people have gone home, the lights are dimmed, and the Library is settling in for the night. It’s time for Storytime After Dark. 🌛

Sneak in with your teddy bear, wear your favourite jammies and snuggle up for an enchanting storytime after dark in the Pauline Gandel Children’s Quarter. Listen to twilight tales and join in on soothing songs and lullabies as the sun sets.

📖 This free event is most suitable for ages 3-8 years.
📆 Tuesday 2 June.
🎟️ Book now: https://bit.ly/4cb0sFB

✨ Celebrating 170 years of curiosity, community and collections. ✨ On this day in 1859, the Queen’s Reading Room (now Th...
23/05/2026

✨ Celebrating 170 years of curiosity, community and collections. ✨

On this day in 1859, the Queen’s Reading Room (now The Ian Potter Queens Hall) opened on Queen Victoria's birthday, once the south wing was completed.

Photographs taken on the opening day show the Chief Librarian, assistants and workmen posing as patrons to mark the moment.

The central part of the room had opened in 1856 as the Library's original building. The north wing followed in 1864, but only part of it was used for the Library; the rest housed pictures from the National Gallery collection.

In 1860, the hall was redesigned by Edward La Trobe Bateman, with a bold colour scheme inspired by Owen Jones’ The Grammar of Ornament – unlike anything seen in Melbourne at the time.

Look closely today and you can still see traces of Bateman’s design amid layers of history.

🔗 Learn more about Queen's Hall: https://blogs.slv.vic.gov.au/our-stories/queenshall/

Library Up Late is back next Friday for Rising opening weekend 🌙Immerse yourself in a night of inspiration and imaginati...
22/05/2026

Library Up Late is back next Friday for Rising opening weekend 🌙

Immerse yourself in a night of inspiration and imagination as State Library Victoria transforms into an after-dark playground of artistic expression.

🖼️ Explore Creative Acts and Rebel Heart with exclusive after-hours access to our exhibitions.
🎨 Join artists Dr Chandrabhanu, Dr Deanne Gilson, Barry William Hale and Bundit Puangthong in conversation as they share the stories behind their work.
💌 Let the collection move you and craft a poem or letter inspired by the rebels of romance from Rebel Heart.
✨ The dome becomes a mesmerising Sonic Temple with soundscapes from Cloudy Ku and Solar Cells & the New Vision System, alongside performances from MaggZ.
🎶 Live music continues with Monica Lim and Concordis Chamber Choir and sets from DJ JNETT and Elbain.


📆 Friday 29 May
🎟️ Book now: https://bit.ly/4ulQppf

🕵️‍♂️ Dust off your deerstalkers and polish your magnifying glasses – it's Sherlock Holmes Day, which marks the birthday...
21/05/2026

🕵️‍♂️ Dust off your deerstalkers and polish your magnifying glasses – it's Sherlock Holmes Day, which marks the birthday of the super-sleuth’s creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

It's no mystery that Doyle was the mastermind behind Sherlock Holmes, but did you know he toured Australia in 1920 delivering lectures on spiritualism?

🔎 Discover the writer's adventures in Melbourne, his thoughts on the VFL and his war with The Argus newspaper.

Dust off your deerstalkers and polish your magnifying glasses!

Happy International Tea Day! 🍵 From quiet kitchen tables to historic tea rooms, garden parties and even fern forests, te...
21/05/2026

Happy International Tea Day! 🍵

From quiet kitchen tables to historic tea rooms, garden parties and even fern forests, tea has been part of Victoria’s daily rhythm for generations.

Today we’re celebrating the rituals, communities, and moments of calm in our collection.

🔗 Learn more about Victoria's food and drink history in our online research guide: https://guides.slv.vic.gov.au/food

Meet Jeni and Keyne – two of our superstar volunteers since 2019. ✨ You may have encountered their friendly faces greeti...
20/05/2026

Meet Jeni and Keyne – two of our superstar volunteers since 2019. ✨

You may have encountered their friendly faces greeting you at our Swanston Street entrance.

During National Volunteer Week, we're taking the opportunity to recognise and celebrate the wonderful people who so generously give their time, energy and heart to the Library.

Whether welcoming visitors, supporting programs and events, or assisting behind the scenes, our volunteers strengthen our community and enhance the experience for so many who come to the Library.

This year’s National Volunteer Week theme, 'Your Year to Volunteer', celebrates the many ways volunteering can create connection, purpose and positive impact in our communities.

To all our volunteers: thank you for your passion, dedication and care this week and all weeks! ❤️

How do you uncover treasures in the Library's collection? 📚 Our online catalogue is getting a makeover and we want your ...
19/05/2026

How do you uncover treasures in the Library's collection? 📚

Our online catalogue is getting a makeover and we want your input.

State Library Victoria is conducting research to better understand how people use the catalogue and access our collections. Is it easy to find what you’re looking for? How do you search? What would you change?

👉Have your say by completing this quick 10-minute survey and help shape the future of your catalogue experience: https://bit.ly/4nA31q4

Botanical illustrations, hybrid creatures, bandaged limbs and bundles of healing plants.   Bundit Puangthong’s character...
19/05/2026

Botanical illustrations, hybrid creatures, bandaged limbs and bundles of healing plants.

Bundit Puangthong’s characters and creations live in paintings that grow like wild, untamed gardens built up in layers of acrylic and spray paint.

The Melbourne-based artist weaves it all together in his 12-metre technicolour painting อบเชย Obchey, currently on display in Creative Acts: Artists and their inspirations.

The sprawling three-part mural combines childhood memories and traditional Thai temple painting with Melbourne’s graffiti culture, celebrating the ‘in-betweenness‘ of living amid 2 cultures.

See the commissioned work and the materials that fueled his process, including the Library's collection of bestiaries, botanical texts and manuscripts.

Visit this week to catch the exhibition's last days and discover the unseen inner worlds of artists through nearly 600 items – revealing how everyday rituals, connections and collections are transformed into extraordinary work.

📅 Closes Sunday 31 May.
🔗 Explore Creative Acts: slv.vic.gov.au/exhibitions/creative-acts/

🌈 Today is International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT).  The day marks the da...
16/05/2026

🌈 Today is International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT).

The day marks the date in 1990 that the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from the Classification of Diseases and raises awareness for the discrimination that LGBTQIA+ people still face today.

Deep dive into the Archives of Sexuality and Gender to explore q***r histories through our collections. Library members living in Victoria can access the database online for free.

Researchers can examine changing gender roles, social movements, activism and more across centuries, ethnicities, religions, political orientations and geographical locations.

Learn more in this online collection spotlight: https://blogs.slv.vic.gov.au/our-stories/ask-a-librarian/online-collection-spotlight-archives-of-sexuality-and-gender/

🌙 Library Up Late returns this month for Rising!  Immerse yourself in a night of inspiration and imagination as State Li...
15/05/2026

🌙 Library Up Late returns this month for Rising!

Immerse yourself in a night of inspiration and imagination as State Library Victoria transforms into an after-dark playground of artistic expression.

✨ The iconic Dome fills with shimmering soundscapes from Cloudy Ku and Solar Cells & the New Vision System, alongside performances from MaggZ.
🎶 The Ian Potter Queen’s Hall becomes into a Concert Hall with Monica Lim, plus Concordis Chamber Choir led by Philippa Jones.
💿 Hit dancefloor in The Quad with DJ JNETT’s Italo Disco set, followed by Elbain’s Y2K beats.
🎨 Get inspired by the Creative Acts artists in the Redmond Barry Reading Room and hear the stories behind their work.
💌 Put pen to paper and craft your own poem or letter inspired by the Library’s collection on display in Rebel Heart.

📆 Friday 29 May.
🎟️ Book now: https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/whats-on/library-late-x-rising

📰 Newspapers can be complex to research.  Frequent title changes, mergers and multiple editions can make it difficult to...
14/05/2026

📰 Newspapers can be complex to research.

Frequent title changes, mergers and multiple editions can make it difficult to find what you’re looking for.

The concept of family trees for newspapers was introduced by one of our librarians, Zoe Velonis, in 2005, after she tired of her newspaper orders coming back as ‘Not Founds’.

So Zoe created a series of trees tracing the genealogy of Victoria’s newspapers. More than 20 years later, these family trees remain an indispensable finding aid for librarians.

🧐 Learn how newspaper family trees can help your research, and where to find them, in our latest blog:
blogs.slv.vic.gov.au/our-stories/meet-the-relatives-exploring-newspaper-family-trees/

✨ Salon After D’Arc is back this winter.Our thought-provoking after-hours series returns in 2026 to explore love, memory...
13/05/2026

✨ Salon After D’Arc is back this winter.

Our thought-provoking after-hours series returns in 2026 to explore love, memory and identity through women’s voices.

Hosted by author and broadcaster Jamila Rizvi, this four-part series brings together writers, artists and thinkers for a one-of-a-kind evening, evoking the salons of yesteryear with a contemporary blend of panel discussion, live experimentation and exclusive collection viewings.

Kicking next month with Fever Dreams – an exploration of love and obsession as powerful emotional and cultural forces, featuring Dr Hannah McCann, Aurelia St Clair and Rosie Waterland.

Tickets are on sale now for the first two events:
💘 Wednesday 17 June: Fever Dreams https://bit.ly/4dmtNxw
💔 Wednesday 15 July: The Gift of Heartbreak https://bit.ly/4uKgJcy

Our Salon After D'Arc series is an opportunity to delve deeper into interesting topics, make connections in the beautiful surrounds of the Library and view rare books acquired through the Women Writers Fund initiative. This event is supported by the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust.

Our beloved World of the Book exhibition is on track to welcome one million visitors this year. 🎉 We’ve been celebrating...
12/05/2026

Our beloved World of the Book exhibition is on track to welcome one million visitors this year. 🎉

We’ve been celebrating its 20th anniversary with rare gems, bold ideas and iconic authors, through 300 treasures from the State Collection. From sacred scrolls and surrealist manifestos to ancient tablets and childhood favourites, there’s something for everyone.

Whether you’re simply curious or a devoted bookworm, World of the Book explores the stories that shape us.

📍 Plan your visit now and experience the current edition before it closes on Sunday 17 May.
📆 We’ll be temporarily closed for our annual refresh, with the 21st edition opening on Saturday 4 July.
🔗 Learn more: https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/world-of-the-book

Step inside Vali Myers' creative process. ✨ Her diaries were constant companions, filled with sketches, symbols and frag...
11/05/2026

Step inside Vali Myers' creative process. ✨

Her diaries were constant companions, filled with sketches, symbols and fragments of memories. Around her, small treasures gathered – jewellery, found objects, keepsakes – each one a spark, a piece of her creative ritual.

In Creative Acts: Artists and their inspirations, step into Vali’s inner world. See the objects she kept close, the pages she returned to, and the materials that fuelled her process over a lifetime of making.

Visit to explore nearly 600 items revealing how artists transform everyday rituals, connections and collections into extraordinary work.

📅 Closes Sunday 31 May.
🔗 Explore Creative Acts: https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/exhibitions/creative-acts/

11/05/2026

What does it mean to belong – in love, in culture, in community? 💘

Mo’ju reflects on identity, connection and finding your place in the world through their powerful musical response ‘Agapito’, created for Rebel Heart: Love letters and other declarations.

Spanning centuries, the exhibition brings together true stories of love that defied expectations – from forbidden relationships and love across borders to deeply personal expressions that challenged the norms of their time. Through intimate letters, diaries and archival material, these voices speak of courage, vulnerability and the enduring power of the rebel heart.

Alongside these stories, new music commissions, including Mo’ju’s, offer a contemporary perspective that connects past and present

🔗 Tap for the full interview with Mo'ju https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/stories/rebel-heart-moju-culture-community-belonging

Happy Mother's Day to all the mums and maternal figures ❤️ We hope your day is filled with koala hugs and plenty of koal...
09/05/2026

Happy Mother's Day to all the mums and maternal figures ❤️

We hope your day is filled with koala hugs and plenty of koala‑ty time with the ones you love. 🐨

On this day 125 years ago, Australia’s Federal Parliament opened with a ceremony at the Royal Exhibition Building – a mo...
08/05/2026

On this day 125 years ago, Australia’s Federal Parliament opened with a ceremony at the Royal Exhibition Building – a moment that marked the birth of national Parliament.

The following day, the first sitting was held at Parliament House on Spring Street, where they remained until Old Parliament House opened in Canberra in 1927.

Victorian Parliament temporarily relocated to the Royal Exhibition Building, expecting the move to last a few years. Instead, it would be 26 years before they returned home to Spring Street.

Melbourne also stepped in as Australia’s temporary capital during that time. This anniversary is a reminder of how much of that early story unfolded right here in this city.

🔗 Explore more history of Federal Parliament in our online research guide: guides.slv.vic.gov.au/comgovpubs

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