News
News
24 June 2025
The State Library has announced the Western Australian Premier’s Book Awards Shortlist for 2025.
In the lead up to the opening of the new Alexander Library Building in 1985, a collection of 189 Western Australian and Australian artworks were purchased for display with funds from the interior design budget.
A Family Reunion
News
8 May 2025
The State Library team was pleased to welcome the Turner family of Augusta on Thursday 1 May as part of their family reunion.
Stories
Stories
Photographs and films
WA history
Wimmin's Work
Wimmin's Work is a new collection of audio, audio-visual and photographic stories documenting the stories of ten Western Australian women.
by Lucy Torvaldsen
Wimmin's Work
Strap in for Barbara's reflection on her life of activism, advocacy and uplifting others. And remember - life really can get better with age, and you never have to settle down.
by Ophélie Barbeau
Wimmin's Work
Explore the lives of women working FIFO roles in mining in WA and delve into their unique perspectives on community, work-life balance, and the challenges they face.
Exhibitions
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Hop into a four-wheel drive and embark on a 1000km road trip through Western Australia’s breathtaking Kimberley landscape. Visit the Story Place Gallery on the Mezzanine Level for our latest kids’ exhibition.
The extraordinary life of a Kimberley man
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An in-depth look at Kimberley icon Sam Lovell’s trailblazing contribution to WA’s cultural tourism industry. Discover Sam’s life as a drover, road builder, storyteller, tour guide and country musician.
The First Twenty Years
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Experience an exhibition tracing two decades of work by Perth-based small press comic publisher Gestalt, championing Australian comic creators and showcasing an underrated narrative art form that continues to defy expectations.
Upcoming events
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PCAF is back for 2025! Western Australia's premier comic arts event will take over the State Library for a packed weekend of storytelling, talks, workshops and markets.
with Kelly Canby
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Join award-winning author and illustrator Kelly Canby for a fast, fun and fabulously un-serious illustration workshop. Kids will paint along and see how stories really come to life… mess and all.
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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.
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Weekly on Monday, 10:30am - 12pm until Mon 22 Sep 2025
Interactive story fun for pre-schoolers and their carers. Followed by a half hour Play Time where families can explore literacy and learning through reading, talking, singing, writing and playing together.
Practise English at the State Library
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Weekly on Tuesday and Wednesday, 1:30 - 2:30pm until Wed 24 Sep 2025
Join our English conversation groups, a friendly place to practise your language skills and make new friends.
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Weekly on Friday, 10:30am - 12pm until Fri 26 Sep 2025
Songs, rhymes and stories for babies and their families, followed by an hour of Play Time to help develop early literacy and learning skills.
Sheiks, Fakes & Cameleers
Between 1870 and 1920, around 20,000 camels and 4,000 men travelled to Australia to help explore and develop the country's arid interior. Discover the forgotten history of cameleers in Western Australia.