News
Better Beginnings Family Literacy Community Grants are for community groups and libraries that help promote literacy in 0-5 years old and empower families to read, talk, sing, write and play with their child every day. The next round of grants is now open and closes on 30 September 2026.
News
3 August 2026
The Ilford Orloff Awards recognise and highlight the contributions of professional photographers and videographers from WA. There are three sections: photographic stills, video and media and the State Library of Western Australia Narrative Award.
News
28 July 2026
Whether you’re a regular visitor or just drop in now and then, we’d love to hear your thoughts on your local public library.
Stories
Perth's place in shared sporting history
Stories
Photographs and films
WA history
Glasgow will this week host the twenty third edition of the Commonwealth Games with a compact, budget-friendly, format stre
In her own words
Stories
Aboriginal stories
WA history
Born in Carnarvon 1918, Jessie shares her memories of being taken from her mother and sent to Moore River Settlement.
The CWA Cookbook and Country Cooking
News
Stories
Podcasts
WA history
Grab a cuppa, pull up a comfy chair and watch a panel of experts explore the enduring influence of both the Country Women’s Association (CWA) and its iconic cookbook.
Exhibitions
2025 Photography Exhibition
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See the work of some of WA's best photographers from 2025. Spanning a range of styles and subjects, this exhibition showcases the winners and finalists of the third annual awards.
Dates
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A folk hero, bushranger and infamous prison escapee, discover the legend of Moondyne Joe. This children’s exhibition reimagines his story for younger audiences through history, storytelling, and art.
Country Sees Us
Dates
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An immersive exhibition centred around newly recorded video oral histories of Menang Elders and a large-scale visual meditation on the Kinjarling/Albany landscape.
Upcoming events
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A cosy space to read the current and past shortlisted books of the Western Australian Premier's Book Awards.
Practise English at the State Library
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Weekly on Tuesday and Wednesday, 1:30 - 2:30pm until Thu 31 Dec 2026
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 25 Sep 2026
Songs, rhymes and stories for babies and their families, followed by an hour of Play Time to help develop early literacy and learning skills.
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Weekly on Monday, 10:30am - 12pm until Mon 21 Sep 2026
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.
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Every 2 months on the second Tuesday, 5:30 - 6:30pm until Tue 17 Nov 2026
The Friends of Battye Inc. present a series of talks throughout the year on Western Australian historical topics. These talks are open to members and the wider community
Better Beginnings Family Singing Workshop
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A free family-friendly workshop to discover the power songs and rhymes have in supporting your child's learning, development and wellbeing.
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.