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.
Person looking at photographs  in the 2024 Ilford Orloff Awards exhibition
Photography Exhibition
Dates
See the work of some of Western Australia's best photographers from 2025. Spanning a range of styles and subjects, this photography exhibition showcases the winners and finalists of the third annual awards.

Upcoming events

comic illustration to promote Perth Comic Arts Festival
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.
Author and illustrator Kelly Canby
with Kelly Canby
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.
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.
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.
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.

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.