Recent Stories
These stories come from the items in our collection.
SLWA on ABC Radio
On 19 May 2020, Dr Kate discussed a more recent piece of Western Australian social history: a scrapbook containing mementos of a Perth café that was around from the 1950s to the early 1980s.
SLWA on ABC Radio
Dr Kate talks about a very early letter from the Pilbara, written just as this area was opening up to the pastoral industry.
SLWA on ABC Radio
Dr Kate discusses the recently digitised watercolour paintings and ink sketches produced by Rica Erickson for her 1958 book Triggerplants.
SLWA on ABC Radio
ANZAC day was on the weekend and in light of that, this week Dr Kate discussed Joseph John Talbot Hobbs who kept five diaries throughout World War I.
SLWA on ABC Radio
Dr. Kate discusses Raymond Stanley Stewart’s diary written on toilet paper while he was a prisoner of war in WWII.
SLWA on ABC Radio
Mary Ann Friend’s journal is an account of the settlement of the Swan River 1829-1831. Of great cultural significance to Western Australia, the journal is one of the many treasures of State Library.
The Activist
Humans of the Library
"I am in the library because I missed my train home to Toodyay. I’m a disability and human rights activist. I’m on the Board of Disability Australia and have a regular spot on ABC The Drum.
The Hat Lady
Humans of the Library
"It was the most I’ve ever paid for a hat but I loved the green colour. It’s snug, it’s warm, it’s simply my favourite winter hat. Why do I wear hats? I guess I like to be different, you might call me the hat lady!
The Mother
Humans of the Library
"I came to Australia with my husband and two daughters over a year ago. At first I did not leave the house because I was worried I would not be able to communicate with or be understood by other people.
The Ghost of the Battye Library
Humans of the Library
"You could say I haunt the Battye Library. I’m always here researching using the Library catalogue and reference collection.
The Writer
Humans of the Library
"I have been writing since I was small. Fiction, short stories, slices of life. I don’t look back at what I have written only forward. Now I want to write longer stories and I’m in the Library reading books for inspiration.
The Student
Humans of the Library
"One night I was studying at the State Library when a student suddenly stood up at her desk and started crying. After about two minutes she stopped, sat back down and went back to her study.