News from the Library
Find everything you need to know about upcoming exhibitions, events and workshops at the State Library in October, November and December in one handy guide. State Library What's On: October, November and December (PDF 2.6 MB)
More details on What’s On at the State Library: October, November and DecemberAustralia’s national, state and territory libraries have come together in a world-first collaboration to build a national digital collection, with the new national edeposit service (NED) launching this week.
More details on World-first collaboration to build national digital collection- The State Library's Disrupted Festival of Ideas is on July 27 and 28, 2019
- Features Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, Leigh Sales, Professor Geoff Gallop, Dr Tracy Westerman, Bri Lee and many other local and interstate speakers
- More than 10,000 people are expected to attend Disrupted in person and online
- An exhibition opens at the Museum of Geraldton exploring the legacy of John Forrest’s 1874 trek in shaping Western and South Australian exploration history.
- The project contributes to a more balanced and inclusive understanding of Western Australia’s history including perspectives of Aboriginal peoples.
Find everything you need to know about upcoming exhibitions, events and workshops at the State Library in July, August and September in one handy guide. State Library What's On: July, August & September (PDF 2.2MB)
More details on What’s On at the State Library: July, August and September- Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, Leigh Sales, Professor Geoff Gallop, Professor Tracy Westerman and Bri Lee to present at the annual Disrupted Festival
- Disrupted will be held at the State Library of Western Australia on the weekend of July 27-28
- The shortlist of the Premier's Book Awards announced
- Awards ceremony to be held on July 26, 2019
Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman today announced the shortlist for the 2018 Western Australian Premier's Book Awards.
More details on Western Australian Premier’s Book Awards shortlist announcedThe State Library of Western Australia is pleased to present an exhibition curated by its 2018/19 James Sykes Battye Creative Fellows, Steven James Finch and Gabby Loo.
More details on JS Battye Creative Fellowship Exhibition- Exhibition exploring the legacy of John Forrest’s 1874 trek in shaping Western and South Australian exploration history opens.
- The project will contribute to a more balanced and inclusive understanding of Western Australia’s history including perspective of Aboriginal peoples.
The State Library of Western Australia is putting out a call for election campaign materials.
Election campaign material issued by candidates tells a lot about Western Australia’s cultural, social and political history.
More details on We want your election materials- The State Library has successfully bid for a 1978 handwritten letter by Bon Scott.
- The acquisition adds to library's dynamite collection of existing AC/DC materials.
- The library continues to expand its heritage collection of items significant to Western Australian history and culture.
State Library and Rio Tinto win Corporate Social Responsibility Excellence category at Pinnacle Awards. Rio Tinto commits a further $1.42 million to the Better Beginnings Family Literacy Program. Better Beginnings reaches 96 per cent of Western Australian families.
More details on State Library and Rio Tinto recognised for improving literacyFind everything you need to know about upcoming exhibitions, events and workshops at the State Library in April, May and June in one handy guide. State Library What's On: April, May & June (PDF 2.2MB)
More details on What’s On at the State Library: April, May and June- The State Library's oral history collection of Migration Voices will be added to UNESCO's Australian Memory of the World national register
- The oral histories tell both personal and collective stories of adjustment to life in a new country and what it means to become Australian
Find everything you need to know about upcoming exhibitions, events and workshops at the State Library in January, February and March in one handy guide.
State Library What's On: January, February & March (PDF 1.9MB)
More details on What’s On at the State Library: January, February & MarchThe Western Australian Premier’s Book Awards aims to support, develop and recognise excellence in writing.
For the 2018 Awards there will be four awards:
More details on 2018 Premier's Book Awards now open for entryWestern Australian writers across all genres will be the beneficiaries of the revamped Premier's Book Awards, which were announced today by Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman.
The new format will see the awards reinstated as an annual event and feature three separate Western Australian awards and one national indigenous award.
More details on Western Australian focus on new Premier’s Book AwardsThe State Library of Western Australia will be involved in the 16 Days in WA to Stop Violence Against Women campaign for 2018. Lighting the Library’s ground floor in the 16 Days campaign colour, orange, the Library will help to spread awareness about family and domestic violence to visitors of the Perth Cultural Centre.
More details on 16 Days in WA to Stop Violence Against WomenThe Backyard Book Fair at the State Library of Western Australia is an opportunity for your children to meet the writers and illustrators of their favourite books.
More details on Meet your children’s literary heroes at the State LibraryThe State Library of Western Australia is pleased to present a free public talk by Peter Ellery AM about the 1975 discovery of the giant Greater Sunrise oil and gas field in the Timor Sea. Ellery is the former CEO of the Chamber of Minerals and Energy and Manager of Government and Public Affairs for Woodside Energy.
More details on Discovery and Development of the Greater Sunrise Oil and Gas Field, a free talk at your State LibraryOn Sunday 11 November 2018, the State Library of Western Australia will offer behind-the-scenes tours as part of Open House Perth.
Fittingly named Beyond the Bookshelves, these guided tours will take you deep into the bowels of the unassuming brutalist State Library building in the Perth Culture Centre.
More details on State Library invites you to step beyond its bookshelves in back of house tours- The new $50 note celebrates Western Australian icon, Edith Cowan OBE
- Photographs from State Library's collection sourced for banknote design
Find everything you need to know about upcoming exhibitions, events and workshops at the State Library in October, November & December in one handy guide.
State Library What's On: October, November & December (PDF 2.19MB)
More details on What’s On at the State Library: October, November & December- Exhibit features Richard Woldendorp’s photographs held in the State Library collection
- Un/nature reflects the ways in which the Western Australian landscape has changed over time
- Free event, open from 9 August to 23 September 2018
- Bibbullmun Bardi – Exploring Aboriginal Design celebrates Aboriginal fashion and textiles in Western Australia
- Exhibition features clothing, textiles, photographs and archival collections from influential WA Aboriginal design icons
- Free event, open from 8 August to 30 September 2018
- The free Disrupted Festival of Ideas is on this weekend at the State Library, Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 July.
- Keynote speakers Craig Silvey, Genevieve Bell and Munjed al Muderis feature in a program of events that will inspire conversation and provoke ideas.
The State Library of Western Australia is pleased to announce that Steven James Finch and Gabby Loo have been awarded the James Sykes Battye Creative Fellowship for 2018.
More details on Winners of James Sykes Battye Creative Fellowship announcedFind everything you need to know about upcoming exhibitions, events and workshops at the State Library in July, August & September in one handy guide.
State Library What's On: July, August & September (PDF 1.9MB)
More details on What’s On at the State Library: July, August & September- More than 3,500 people are expected to visit a weekend of free activities and events at the State Library of Western Australia - July 28 and 29, 2018
- Keynote speakers: Dr Munjed al Muderis, Professor Genevieve Bell and Morris Gleitzman
At last night’s Library Board of Western Australia Awards ceremony held at the State Library of Western Australia, the City of Armadale received the Library Board of Western Australia Award for Innovation and Excellence.
More details on Library Board Awards recognise recipients for outstanding achievementsScreenwest has partnered with the State Library of Western Australia providing a significant boost to the WA Heritage Film Appeal in its final two weeks. Screenwest will pledge $8,000 to the Appeal to ensure its $10,000 crowdfunding target is met before the Appeal concludes on Friday 11 May 2018.
More details on Screenwest partners with the State Library to revive heritage Western Australian filmThe State Library of Western Australia is pleased to announce that Dr Ethan Blue has been awarded the James Sykes Battye Memorial Fellowship for 2018.
More details on Winner of the Battye Memorial Fellowship announcedFind everything you need to know about upcoming exhibitions, events and workshops at the State Library in April, May & June in one handy guide.
State Library What's On: April, May & June (PDF 2.2MB)
The WA Heritage Film Appeal, is a crowdfunding campaign calling on all who have an interest in the State’s heritage and in saving historical film and television archives, has been launched by State Library of Western Australia.
More details on Calling on heritage and history enthusiasts to join the crowd and make a pledge!169 remarkable women have been inducted into the WA Women’s Hall of Fame between 2011-2017. However very few personal records of the life and achievements of these women are available for access through the State Library of Western Australia.
More details on Finding the Herstory for 169 Remarkable WA WomenMore details on Early literacy program to include vision impaired children
- Better Beginnings resources for infants with vision impairment
- Benefits of reading to children aged 0-3 years
- Rio Tinto acknowledged for investing in early childhood literacy
Level One of the State Library of Western Australia will be undergoing refurbishment. To prepare for the upgrade, the collections on the floor will be moved and bookshelves will be emptied. If you have trouble finding the items you are looking for please speak to a staff member on the Ground Floor or Level Three.
More details on Level One is getting a makeoverThe Library Board of Western Australia is developing its next strategic plan to guide the State Library’s activities and operations over the next four years. The views of staff, stakeholders and the community all need to be considered as part of the development of the strategic plan. Have your say here.
More details on Strategic Plan Survey - have your say...- Minderoo Foundation partners with State Library to fund major history project
- Project to re-trace Sir John Forrest’s 1874 trek from Geraldton to Adelaide
- Award-winning Storylines will capture an Aboriginal point of view
Welcome to the December edition of the Connect eNewsletter. Find out about the latest news, events and exhibitions at the State Library of Western Australia.
December Connect eNewsletter (934kb)
More details on December Connect eNewsletter- Over 120 individuals and organisations contributed to the State Library’s heritage collections in 2017
- Rio Tinto acknowledged for financial support
- State Library launches Peer of the State Library, a donor recognition program.
Find everything you need to know about upcoming exhibitions, events and workshops at the State Library in January, February & March in one handy guide.
State Library What's On: January, February & March (PDF 2.2MB)
More details on What’s On at the State Library: January, February & March- New approach to ensure public libraries reflect community expectations
- A single access card and management system among the measures touted
- An implementation working group is being established to lead the consultation process
- Public urged to provide comment on background paper and strategy released today
- Alternative Frequencies:40 Years of RTRFM celebrates WA’s longest running community radio station
- Exhibition features a collection of audio, images, stories, memorabilia and equipment
- Free exhibition at the State Library open until 11 February 2018
- Bird Song exhibit offers an interactive, educational experience for children and families
- Exhibit features John Hutchinson bird call recordings paired with scientific illustrations of WA birds
- Free event open from 6 November to 31 January 2018
- In Plain Sight imagines what queer relationships may have looked like in Western Australia’s past
- Exhibit features ambiguous photographs of intimate moments from the State Library’s collection
- Free event, open from 17 October to 5 December 2017
The State Library is now accepting public donations of campaign material in the lead up to the local government ordinary elections on 21 October.
Printed posters, flyers, how-to-vote cards, stickers and badges along with electronic campaign material such as emails, are welcomed.
More details on State Library calls for local election campaign materialWelcome to the September edition of the Connect eNewsletter. Find out about the latest news, events, exhibitions and acquisitions at the State Library of Western Australia.
September Connect eNewsletter (1973KB)
More details on September Connect eNewsletterThe State Library is set to contribute to Perth’s thriving start-up scene with its own co-working space for entrepreneurs and creative thinkers. Taking its name from the Dewey decimal classification for knowledge, Studio 001 offers a fully equipped office space for individuals and teams to get their business ideas, plans and projects off the ground.
More details on State Library launches Studio 001, co-working space for creatives and entrepreneurs- Prestigious award for Better Beginnings program acknowledges best practice in literacy provision
- McGowan Government committed to early literacy and quality library services
- Program has reached more than 550,000 families over the past 13 years
Find everything you need to know about upcoming exhibitions, events and workshops at the State Library in October, November & December in one handy guide.
State Library What's On: October, November & December (PDF 1.9MB)
More details on What’s On at the State Library: October, November & December- Funding secured to continue highly successful Better Beginnings early literacy program
- Importance of reading to babies and children highlighted at Children's Book Week
- Photograph exhibit The Beauty of Zhejiang Province showcases Western Australia’s beautiful Sister State in China
- Display includes 80 photographs capturing the dynamic landscape, vibrant people and culture of the Zhejiang Province
- Free exhibit open until Wednesday 23 August, 2017
- Botanical Wonderland explores Western Australia’s beautiful floral diversity
- Exhibit features handmade seaweed hat, pressed wildflowers, watercolour paintings, hand coloured photographs, embroidery and porcelain
- Free event, open from 10 August to 24 September, 2017
- Disrupted Festival of Ideas to run Saturday, July 29 and Sunday, July 30 at State Library
- Keynote speakers Tara Moss, Tiernan Brady and Kon Karapanagiotidis will feature in free events
- About 2,500 people are expected to attend, increasing vibrancy and activity in the Cultural Centre
The State Library of Western Australia has released its ten year Literacy Strategy aimed at meeting the promise for all Western Australians to have the literacy they need for living and learning.
More details on State Library takes the lead on literacyDisrupted Festival of Ideas is a weekend (29-30 July) of free conversations, intimate walking tours, live music and creativity, taking over the State Library of Western Australia.
More details on Disrupted - Festival of Ideas eNewsletterWelcome to the June edition of the Connect eNewsletter. Find out about the latest news, events, exhibitions and acquisitions at the State Library of Western Australia.
June Connect eNewsletter (1745KB)
More details on June Connect eNewsletterAt the Library Board of Western Australia Awards ceremony held at the State Library of Western Australia on Thursday May 25, Ms Nola Allen, Ms Susan Ashcroft and Ms Sue North were each conferred the distinction of Fellow of the Library Board of Western Australia for exceptional service to the community in the development of the Better Beginnings family literacy pro
More details on Library Board Awards recognise recipients for outstanding achievementsRight Wrongs: '67 Referendum - the WA Story is an exhibition curated from Aboriginal peoples' perspectives. The exhibition focuses the story on resistance, survival and activism in WA.
More details on 1967 Referendum exhibition - Resistance, Survival and ActivismWelcome to the March edition of the Connect eNewsletter. Find out about the latest news, events, exhibitions and acquisitions at the State Library of Western Australia.
March Connect eNewsletter (PDF 890KB)
More details on March Connect eNewsletterFind everything you need to know about upcoming exhibitions, events and workshops at the State Library in April, May & June in one handy guide.
More details on What’s On at the State Library: April, May & JuneCelebrate UNESCO World Poetry Day, Tuesday 21 March 2017. Join three Perth poets at the State Library for a reading of their works.
Capturing the creative spirit and discovering our stories are the common themes that unite the State Library of Western Australia and UNESCO in the celebration of World Poetry Day.
More details on Live @ the Library Tuesday Special: Three PoetsElection campaign material issued by candidates tells a lot about Western Australia’s cultural, social and political history.
More details on State Election campaign material finds a welcoming homeSimpson and his Donkey artworks find new home at State Library.
More details on Simpson and his Donkey artworks at State LibraryCulture and the Arts Minister John Day acknowledged the work of the State Library and its many supporters in marking the 60th anniversary of the State’s oldest and most significant collection of heritage documents.
More details on Reimagining the stories of Western AustraliaCommunity language schools have received a welcome new resource with the launch of the Community Languages Collection at the State Library of Western Australia.
More details on New Resource a Boost for Community Language SchoolsApproximately 300 members of the Yungngora Aboriginal Community will benefit from the arrival of the Ideas Box prior to the coming wet season.
More details on Big Ideas at the Yungngora Aboriginal CommunityRenowned Australian author Helen Garner has won Western Australia's top literary award, the prestigious $25,000 Premier's Prize, at the 2016 Western Australian Premier's Book Awards.
More details on This House of Grief Garners Top Literary AwardDonation of documentary heritage materials contributes to understanding of how the mining sector has influenced the growth and development of the State.
Premier Colin Barnett tonight accepted a donation of fifty significant, historic materials from Rio Tinto Iron Ore on behalf of the State Library of Western Australia.
More details on Rio Tinto gifts archive material to State LibraryThe State Library has purchased the first detailed chart of the west Australian coast, published in 1753. The chart was prepared by Johannes van Keulen, the Dutch East India Company’s mapmaker, using information from Willem de Vlamingh’s manuscript chart of his exploration voyage of 1696-97.
More details on State Library shows off new acquisitions to celebrate opening of Dutch Journeys exhibitionThis year’s Disrupted - Festival of Ideas at the State Library of Western Australia will be held on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 July, and is centred on change.
It will explore the theme of small movements gathering momentum to seed big changes, with the provocative play on words subtitle of ‘Subject to Change’.
More details on State Library presents more than 30 innovative thinkers at the Disrupted FestivalThe State Library’s collection of election ephemera gives a glimpse into Western Australia’s cultural, social and political history.
More details on Today’s campaign mail, tomorrow’s original documentary materialsAt last night’s Library Awards ceremony held at the State Library of Western Australia, Dr Ronda Jamieson was conferred the award of Fellow of the Library Board of Western Australia.
More details on State Library Awards recognise recipients for outstanding achievementsThe State Library of Western Australia is pleased to announce that Dr Anne Scrimgeour is the recipient of the JS Battye Memorial Fellowship for 2016, and that artists Nicola Kaye and Stephen Terry have been awarded the inaugural JS Battye Creative Fellowship.
More details on Winners of Battye Memorial Fellowship and the first Battye Creative Fellowship announcedStorylines is the State Library of Western Australia’s online archive of collections relating to Aboriginal history. People can view, print and engage with thousands of photographs, as well as a growing number of oral histories, historical documents, sounds and movies.
More details on Storylines partners with the Yamaji Yanda Project and Geraldton Regional Library