State Library Victoria

State Library Victoria πŸ“– Official page for State Library Victoria.
✨ 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

To market, to market 🧺  These collection photos from decades past capture a familiar Saturday scene: piles of fresh prod...
04/09/2026

To market, to market 🧺

These collection photos from decades past capture a familiar Saturday scene: piles of fresh produce, rows of deli goods, jostling trolleys, and the loud thrum of shoppers and traders.

Local photographers like Maggie Diaz, James O Nicholls, Mary Cox and Ruth Maddison documented the rhythms of everyday life in Melbourne, including, naturally, our morning market expeditions.

Find their works and more in our collection https://bit.ly/4cuTegV

One more chapter? πŸ“šWe're closing out this year's Beyond the Page series with Australian comedian, writer and actor Shaun...
04/09/2026

One more chapter? πŸ“š

We're closing out this year's Beyond the Page series with Australian comedian, writer and actor Shaun Micallef.

Step inside the writer's world as Shaun joins ABC presenter Mary McGillivray to unpack Matthew Flinders, his funny and meticulously researched reexamination of the famous explorer's story. Following the conversation, you'll have the chance to ask your own questions in an audience Q&A.

πŸ“† 7pm Thursday 8 October.
🎟️ Book now: https://bit.ly/3VdjjuT

πŸ“š Spring into the school holidays at the Library with Tales We Treasure.Celebrate the stories, memories and moments that...
03/09/2026

πŸ“š Spring into the school holidays at the Library with Tales We Treasure.

Celebrate the stories, memories and moments that shape us through music, storytelling, and creativity.
🎡 Join Josh Pyke for an interactive storytelling and live music event.
🌼 Celebrate the latest book from Jane Godwin and Anna Walker with a special Storytime and wild meadow workshop.
🏠 Build a miniature Pocket House filled with your own treasured people, places and memories.
✏️ Get creative and drop into our activity hub for free craft activities.

πŸ‘‰ Explore the full program https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/stories/spotlight-collection/school-holiday-program

🎨 Filipino-Australian artist Patricia Agus uses art to explore and express their dual cultural identity.  Recently acqui...
02/09/2026

🎨 Filipino-Australian artist Patricia Agus uses art to explore and express their dual cultural identity.

Recently acquired and digitised by the Library, these works offer insights into the experience of navigating 2 cultures.

Patricia's vibrant sculptures of the iconic jeepneys of the Philippines weave together personal references, tracing a journey from Laguna to Clayton South.

Their lino prints of the distinctly Filipino snack Boy Bawang reflect the role of food in maintaining cultural connection and belonging across generations and distance.

πŸ”— Explore their works in our catalogue https://bit.ly/4gPmvnR

ABC Radio National is giving you the chance to be part of a live audience in its Southbank studios tomorrow for the Top ...
02/09/2026

ABC Radio National is giving you the chance to be part of a live audience in its Southbank studios tomorrow for the Top 100 Australian Books vote. πŸ“š

Special guests Robert Connolly (director of The Dry and Force of Nature) and author Toni Jordan (Tenderfoot, Addition) will debate the best Australian book to screen adaptations.

🎟 Register here to secure your spot: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/from-page-to-screen-top-100-australian-books-tickets-1998471451910?aff=oddtdtcreator

We are bringing back our livestream event this Thursday!

Join acclaimed director Robert Connolly (The Dry, Force of Nature, Blueback) and author Toni Jordan (Addition, Fall Girl, Nine Days, Dinner with the Schnabels, Tenderfoot) as they revisit some of Australia's best-loved book adaptations and ask: what does it take to successfully bring a great Australian story to the screen?

Head to the link in the comments to secure a spot at our ABC Southbank Studio, ticketing closes at 9am Thursday, otherwise join us on our Facebook livestream event from 1pm tomorrow.

Welcoming spring with a piece of Library history. πŸ’ 170 years ago, our catalogue began with a shelf count of 3,800 items...
01/09/2026

Welcoming spring with a piece of Library history. πŸ’

170 years ago, our catalogue began with a shelf count of 3,800 items. Today, it provides access to millions of collection items online.

In 1861, our founder Redmond Barry commissioned artist and designer Edward Latrobe Bateman to create decorative letters and tailpieces for the Library's first printed catalogue. Engraved as woodblock prints by Samuel Calvert, these designs are the earliest known examples of Australian flora being used as decorative motifs.

πŸ“• Scroll through The catalogue of the Melbourne Public Library for 1861: https://bit.ly/4i1mtLT

As Family History Month comes to a close, the search doesn't have to end here. πŸ” Every family has a story waiting to be ...
31/08/2026

As Family History Month comes to a close, the search doesn't have to end here. πŸ”

Every family has a story waiting to be uncovered. Whether you're tracing generations, exploring old family mysteries or discovering where you come from, State Library Victoria's family history resources are available year-round.

From historic newspapers and photographs to research guides, databases and expert support, we're here to help you follow the clues.

πŸ”— Keep uncovering your story with our family history resources: https://bit.ly/45YEbs4

✨ As we celebrate 170 years of the Library, discover extraordinary and little-known memories handpicked from our collect...
30/08/2026

✨ As we celebrate 170 years of the Library, discover extraordinary and little-known memories handpicked from our collection in You Have a New Memory.

Alongside objects on display, experience a cinematic slideshow of photographs of historical Melbourne, including early photos of the Library.

This free exhibition invites reflection on how and why we remember.

Come and explore how our shared memory is shaped as much by the everyday as it is by historic events.

πŸ“Victoria Gallery, State Library Victoria
πŸ”— slv.vic.gov.au/whats-on/you-have-new-memory

When a framed photo of an unknown WWI soldier was left in the Library with the note, 'Can you please return this to the ...
28/08/2026

When a framed photo of an unknown WWI soldier was left in the Library with the note, 'Can you please return this to the family?', our librarians set out to solve the mystery. πŸ•΅οΈβ€β™€οΈ

What followed was an extraordinary search to uncover his identity and reunite the photo with his descendants more than a century later.

πŸ”— Read about the remarkable detective work of our librarians this Family History Month blogs.slv.vic.gov.au/family-matters/searching-for-hal-the-unknown-soldier

πŸŽ­πŸ“– What did you dress up as for Book Week?  Every year, the Children’s Book Council of Australia celebrates Book Week, e...
28/08/2026

πŸŽ­πŸ“– What did you dress up as for Book Week?

Every year, the Children’s Book Council of Australia celebrates Book Week, encouraging children and communities across the country to embrace the joy of reading, storytelling and imagination.

These delightful photos from our collection prove that a little make-believe never goes out of style.

27/08/2026

Spooky season is coming to the Library. πŸ‘»

This October wander through 170 years of history after dark and uncover stories of unexplained encounters from one of Melbourne's most iconic buildings.

After the doors close, step beyond the shelves to discover tales and haunted collection items on our guided ghost tour. Or take part in a sΓ©ance with Lawrence Leung and discover who might still be listening...

πŸ‘€ Book now: https://bit.ly/3UmSPqz

🐢 In honour of International Dog Day, we've rounded up some of the best boys and girls from the Library's canine collect...
26/08/2026

🐢 In honour of International Dog Day, we've rounded up some of the best boys and girls from the Library's canine collection.

Explore more in our copyright-free image collection: slv.vic.gov.au/images

Which four-legged friend gets your vote? 🐾

πŸ“š One of Australia's most important literary voices of the 20th century, Thea Astley, was born on this day in 1925. The ...
25/08/2026

πŸ“š One of Australia's most important literary voices of the 20th century, Thea Astley, was born on this day in 1925.

The acclaimed writer and teacher is known for her sharp observations of geographical isolation, power and social injustice – explored in novels like Drylands, The Acolyte and The Well-Dressed Explorer.

At the time of her death, she was the most decorated recipient of the Miles Franklin Literary Award, with 4 wins to her name.

Her incisive portraits of small-town Queensland remain a touchstone for generations of Australian rural and regional writers.

πŸ“ Discover her work in World of the Book.

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