What's New

News

Western Australian Premiers Book Awards pink background and numbat
News
The State Library has announced the Western Australian Premier’s Book Awards Shortlist for 2025.
Romance of Death No9 by Alun Leach-Jones
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.
Members of the Turner family of Augusta at the State Library looking at collection items
A Family Reunion
News
The State Library team was pleased to welcome the Turner family of Augusta on Thursday 1 May as part of their family reunion.

Stories

three women in their work uniforms
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.
portrait of Barbara Darling
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.
woman in high vis fear sitting on brick steps
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

On the Way to Nanas cover artwork spread
Dates
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.
Sam Lovell standing beside his tour vehicle in the Kimberley c1987
The extraordinary life of a Kimberley man
Dates
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.
Dreamwalker 01 graphic novel page 3 written by Molly Hunt and Scott Wilson artwork by Chris Wood and letters by Wolfgang Bylsma
The First Twenty Years
Dates
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

Story Time - Dad with son
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.
English Conversation session at the State Library
Practise English at the State Library
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.
Better Beginnings Rhyme Time
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.
yellow background with black text that reads Stories from the West Discover the Premiers Book Awards shortlist at the State Library
Discover the Premier's Book Awards Shortlist
Join us for an afternoon of panel conversations with the shortlisted authors from the 2025 Western Australian Premier's Book Awards.
Families attend a camp service Mt Margaret Mission with singing and the message in language ca1950
Monthly on the last Wednesday, 2 - 4pm until Wed 26 Nov 2025
The Storylines project connects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to the State Library's heritage, history and photographic collections.
Collection of paintings in the art stacks
Exploring the State Library’s Picture Book Illustration Collection
Step into the magical world of picture books with these special behind-the-scenes tours of the State Library’s children’s book art collection.

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.