What's New

News

2025 Library Board Awards
Nominations open
News
The 2025 Library Board of Western Australia Awards for Innovation and Collaboration are now open for nominations until Tuesday 27 May 2025.
the eight recipients of wa reflections
News
Iconic rock music masses at St George’s Cathedral in the 70s and a drag king pioneer are among the subjects tackled in four new documentaries that will shine a spotlight on Western Australian history as part of WA Reflections.
2025 Judging Panel
News
Earlier this year, the State Library put out a call for readers with a critical mind and love of Western Australian books to join the judging panel for the 2025 Western Australian Premier’s Awards. 

Stories

Mollie Lukis at her desk
Stories
Small towns & regional cities
WA history
As the first Western Australian State archivist and first female State archivist in Australia, Mollie Frances Lukis (1911-2009) played an important role in the development of the State Archives. With great vision and knowledge she built up the collection and agitated for change.
Inside The Chin Wagon  with Recording sign lit up
Stories
Podcasts
WA history
Scrabble boards, cookbooks, war medals, fishing lures, trinkets and tools. Why are these items so important to the people that hold onto them? Short podcast series about the stories behind peoples family treasures and keepsakes.
Suzanne Franklin
Keepsake mini podcast
Stories
Podcasts
WA history
Suzanne's keepsake is a picture of her great-great-grandmother, Alice Franklin, the Lady Mayoress of Perth and an unusedrailway ticket to the opening of Parliament House in 1927.

Exhibitions

Dorothy Tangney with her Chevrolet 1929
Roll of Honour
Dates
The WA Women’s Hall of Fame recognises more than 300 women for their inspiring work and achievements. This exhibition spotlights inductees whose legacy lives on through the Roll of Honour and in the State Library’s collection.
Mechanical fitter apprentice Alex Remkes with production technicians Sammy Petrucco and Jo Anne Secker working at the BHP Billiton port facility in Port Hedland 2017
Dates
Suited, booted and ready for anything. A collection of photographs charting the way women have used their wardrobes to stamp their identity working inside or outside of the home.
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.

Upcoming events

Promotional image for the book The Montegiallo School of Swearing
The Montegiallo School of Swearing
Fremantle Press invites you to a special event at the State Library of Western Australia, where Andrew will be in-conversation with Italian writer and journalist Chenée Marrapodi.
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.
three women in their work uniforms
A new series of audio, audio-visual and photographic stories exploring the contribution of women living and working in WA. Meet the journalists and creators for a discussion about women and work.
John Long and Goblin shark
with John Long
Join author and paleontologist John Long at the State Library for a talk about his latest book 'The Secret History of Sharks'.
portrait of Dr Sandy Chong sitting on sofa
Come and hear Dr Sandy Chong's story as the first Asian person to be elected as President of the United Nations Association and 2024 inductee into the WA Women's Hall of Fame.
Reading at book on a smart device
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!

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.