Languages

The State Library collects Western Australian materials such as newspapers, oral histories and ephemera, in languages other than English. Teacher resources have been developed based on these heritage collections for community language teachers. The resources suggest learning activities that use materials from the State Library’s collections, which support language development and understanding of different cultural groups in Western Australia.

State Library members have access to over 6000 newspapers and magazines from all over the world, including 1000 newspapers in over 60 languages.

Parent and child reading a book from the Community Languages Collection

Community Languages Collection

An extensive collection of books and resources in over 40 languages found on Level 1.
Community Languages Collection shelves

Community language teachers

Community language teacher resources.
312521PD Yanchep-Two Rocks Public Library Lisford Avenue Two Rocks October 1984

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Find your closest public library here.
Holding a picture of choir members in the refugee camp of Tanzania where members spent up to 12 years before relocating to Australia

Multicultural Information and Services

A range of resources and services that the State Library of Western Australia offers to multicultural communities.

Multilingual eResources

BorrowBox

With a State Library card
With a Public Library card
BorrowBox provides access to WA Public Libraries' fiction and LOTE eBook, eAudiobook and eMagazine collection.
Access eResource

Hoopla

With a State Library card
With a Public Library card
Library members can borrow movies, music, audiobooks, ebooks, comics and TV shows to enjoy on their computer or mobile device with no holds or waiting.
Access eResource

Kanopy

With a State Library card
With a Public Library card

Kanopy provides the State Library and WA Public Libraries members access to a collection of films - including award-winning documentaries, training films and theatrical releases.

Access eResource

Libby by OverDrive

With a State Library card
With a Public Library card

Libby is the mobile app to access the OverDrive collection of eBooks, eAudiobooks and eMagazines titles available to Western Australian Public Libraries.

Libby is a fast and attractive digital browsing experience that allows you to synchronise your reading across multiple devices.

Access eResource

LOTE4Kids

With a State Library card
With a Public Library card

LOTE4Kids is a digital collection of picture books (ebooks and audiobooks) in a diverse range of World Languages. It allows kids to enjoy the magic of books and other activities in LOTE (Languages Other Than English), both in State Library and at home.

Access eResource

Oxford Reference Collection

With a State Library card

Oxford Reference Collection is of a core set of Encyclopedias and Dictionaries and other recognised reference material for 25 subject areas, including Social Sciences, Science and Technology, Religion, Music, Art and Architecture and language dictionaries with information and language suitable fo

Access eResource

PressReader

With a State Library card

PressReader is an online collection of nearly 6000 current international newspapers and magazines from all over the world in over 60 languages. 

PressReader is now also available through a mobile app, which you can log into using your State library membership.

Access eResource

Upcoming Events

English Conversation session at the State Library

Let's chat!

Practise English at the State Library
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Weekly on Tuesday and Wednesday, 1:30 - 2:30pm until Wed 2 Jul 2025
Join our new English conversation groups, a friendly place to practise your language skills and make new friends.
Reading at book on a smart device

Libby Online Book Club for WA

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Online digital book club. Every month, join author David Allan-Petale in conversation with a new author to discuss their book. This month’s featured title will be available to borrow from your local library or the Libby app with no waitlists or holds. The reader who asks the best question during the live event will also be sent a signed copy of the book by the author!
SWF Live and Local Promo image

Sydney Writers' Festival

Live and Local 2025
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We're bringing the Sydney Writers' Festival to you by livestreaming some of the Festival's headline events at the State Library.