News
The State Library is proud to launch the 2025 Western Australian Premier’s Book Awards with a total prize pool of $120,000 and four new categories.
Rejuvenation Project
News
23 December 2024
Construction will begin on 6 January 2025 to transform the Perth Cultural Centre precinct into an open, accessible and vibrant destination.
News
6 December 2024
On 29 November, the 'Sheiks, Fakes and Cameleers' exhibition was awarded a commendation at the 2024 WA Heritage Awards.
Stories
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.
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.
Keepsake mini podcasts
Stories
Podcasts
WA history
Sophie's keepsake is her husband's grandma's handwritten cookbook. Joan Patricia Vowles lovingly added to this cookbook over forty years.
Exhibitions
Cherished Family Mementos from the Collection
Dates
–
The Keepsake exhibition examines why mementos and everyday objects often hold the key to family history and ultimately shape who and how we identify ourselves. Showcasing cherished family moments from the State Library’s collection.
Pro Photography WA
Dates
–
Photography exhibition revealing the finalists in the second annual Ilford Orloff Awards. Named after one of WA’s pioneering photographers, Izzy Orloff, the Awards celebrate the best in contemporary professional photography across the State.
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.
Upcoming events
–
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.
Practice English at the State Library
–
Weekly on Tuesday and Wednesday, 1:30 - 2:30pm until Wed 9 Apr 2025
Join our new English conversation groups, a friendly place to practice your language skills and make new friends.
–
Weekly on Friday, 10:30am - 12pm until Fri 11 Apr 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.
–
Weekly on Monday, 10:30am - 12pm until Mon 7 Apr 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.
–
Monthly on the third Wednesday, 7:30 - 8:30pm until Wed 16 Apr 2025
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 should be available to borrow from your local library or the Libby app with no waitlists or holds!
Getting started
–
Every 3 months on the last Wednesday, 11am - 1pm until Wed 26 Nov 2025
Do you want to find out about your family history and don’t know where to start? Let us help you at one of our free and friendly talks at the State Library and we’ll show you.
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.