Online Collection Spotlight: Migration to New Worlds
Migration to New Worlds charts the emigration experience of those who travelled from Great Britain, Ireland and Europe to Australasia and North America in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Conserving a fascinating piece of book history: Fragment of a French Bible, c. 1150-1175
In 2022, State Library Victoria added a fascinating piece of book history to its growing collection of fragments held within the Rare Books Collection. The item, a 315 x 265… Read More ›
Listening to the enemy: Melbourne’s radio listening post in World War II
Ask a librarian, Our stories, Victorian history:
During World War II, radio broadcasts were used to convey military news and to boost morale. Radio was also the perfect medium to spread propaganda to the enemy, with the aim of belittling or demoralising enemy forces and civilian populations. Read the intriguing story of how a Melbourne short wave station recorded Japanese propaganda messages to help the allied war effort.
Make believe and misinformation: a guide for cutting through information overload
Ask a librarian, Research tips:
At a time when trust in news and media reporting in Australia is decreasing, misinformation is probably one of the most pressing issues for librarians today. State Library Victoria’s brand new Misinformation research guide gathers resources held in the Library’s collections, adjacent to the case studies examined in the new Make Believe: Encounters with Misinformation exhibition, as well as tools to help identify misinformation and fake news.
Online Collection Spotlight: The Making of the Modern World
Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Our stories, Uncategorized:
This post explores another of our Gale databases – The Making of the Modern World – as it charts the spread of Western wealth, trade and colonial takeovers, and of knowledge and ideas.
Reconnecting with ‘The silver brumby’
Ask a librarian, Cities & towns, Such was life, Victorian history:
Librarian Daniel Giddens reconnects with one of his favourite children’s stories, ‘The silver brumby’, sharing what makes it so special to him, as well as exploring the background of its author, and the history and significance of its publication.
Think globally, act locally: feminist posters by Australian women artists from 1970s-1990s
The feminist resurgence in the period 1960-1990, referred to as second wave feminism, had a significant impact on the art world. Political graphics were no exception. This blog explores the State Library’s rich and extensive holdings of feminist posters by women artists from Melbourne’s alternative poster collectives.
Here at last! The 1921 census for England and Wales
census, census records, British records, Family matters, Uncategorized:
Great news for anyone interested in British history. The 1921 census for England and Wales can now be accessed onsite at State Library Victoria through both the FindMyPast and Ancestry databases.
Online Collection Spotlight: Women’s Voices and Life Writing, 1600-1968
Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights:
What was it like being a debutante on the lookout for a husband in the 1800s? Or serving in the Women’s Land Army in the Second World War? This database provides access to a treasure trove of manuscripts, diaries and oral histories, offering a unique insight into the lives of women, their thoughts, feelings and experiences, told in their own words.
Unique format, unique challenges: pop-up and movable books at State Library Victoria
Collection Care, Conservation, Uncategorized:
At State Library Victoria we have close to 1000 pop-up and movable books, ranging from the mid-1600s to present day. These items represent one of few three-dimensional, interactive mediums in history that has enduring appeal. However, with great ingenuity come considerable conservation challenges. Learn about the factors that make pop-up and movable books so captivating, yet uniquely susceptible to physical wear and tear.
Such was life
Recently digitised: playbills from the Coppin Collection
George Selth Coppin, an indefatigable powerhouse, was responsible for much of the popular culture that entertained theatre going audiences in the second half of the 19th century. State Library Victoria has recently digitised more than 1200 theatre playbills from its comprehensive Coppin Collection – a highly significant archive of theatrical history.
Arts
Recently digitised: playbills from the Coppin Collection
George Selth Coppin, an indefatigable powerhouse, was responsible for much of the popular culture that entertained theatre going audiences in the second half of the 19th century. State Library Victoria has recently digitised more than 1200 theatre playbills from its comprehensive Coppin Collection – a highly significant archive of theatrical history.
