State Library Victoria

World Philosophy Day

November 16, 2020

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Our stories:

It’s World Philosophy Day. Dive into our extensive philosophy collections to be challenged and inspired by thinkers of the past and present.

Catalogue upgrade: Export to excel and sticky filters

November 13, 2020

Ask a librarian, Research tips, Tips and tricks:

Export your search results or saved items to Excel and more easily limit your results with improved ‘sticky’ filters that persist between searches, two new features recently added to the Library… Read More ›

Ania Walwicz: rebel with a cause

November 9, 2020

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Our stories:

The Victorian literary community has lost one of its own, with the death of much-loved poet, performance artist and creative writing teacher, Ania Walwicz

Disorganised, but stocked pantry, 28 April 2020 by Elizabeth Spiteri, MS16313/1/1.
A photographic response to the first prompt asking about fridge and pantry supplies.

COVID-19 rapid response collecting

November 5, 2020

Collection, Our stories:

As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, State Library Victoria needed a rapid collecting response to document Victoria’s experience. Curators reflect on the adaptation to contact-free acquisitions, and improving their digital preservation workflows to meet this need.

6 o'Clock. (picture). Henry Heath Glover.Image 30328102131793/2

A taste of home

October 20, 2020

Family matters:

When we think about Victoria’s food culture we usually associate it with the post World War II migrants who settled here. Their recipes, ingredients and food production techniques helped transform… Read More ›

The triumphant and tragic life of George Coulthard

October 13, 2020

Family matters, Victorian history:

Australian Rules Football’s first superstar George Coulthard dominated the early days of the Victorian Football Association. A supreme athlete he was also a fine cricketer, both playing and umpiring Test cricket. Sometimes, though sport’s great triumphs collide with life, and life is not always fair.

Detail of Blinky Bill and Mrs Koala, Dorothy Wall, [between 1933 and 1940?]; H2015.180/28

Blinky Bill: in the Conservation Lab

October 9, 2020

Collection Care, Conservation:

Blinky Bill has been a favourite amongst Australian children since he first made an appearance in the 1933 book Blinky Bill: The Quaint Little Australian. A collection of drawings by author and illustrator Dorothy Wall (1894–1942) were recently acquired by the Library – several of which have come to the Conservation Lab for assessment and treatment.