News
April 2026
News
7 April 2026
Help us improve by completing our survey. We want to hear from you, no matter how you use the State Library. The survey closes at 5pm on 26 April 2026.
Promoting innovation and collaboration in the library sector by any person, library or organisation in Western Australia. Nominations for the 2026 Library Board Awards are now open until 22 May 2026.
The annual award offers $5,000 to public libraries to develop, deliver and grow innovative programs and initiatives to engage families and strengthen support for early literacy. Closes 22 May 2026.
Stories
News
Photographs and films
WA history
Inspired by State Library heritage collection items, these films explore topics ranging from the Rock Masses held at St Gerges Cathedral in the 1970’s, to the founding of Australia’s first Guide Dog school.
How the Botanic Park came to be
Stories
This story is based on the oral history of forester, ecologist and one of the first Directors of Kings Park, John Stanley Beard (1916–2011), and features a collection of historical photos of Kings Park.
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.
Exhibitions
Photography Exhibition
Dates
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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
What’s happening now in artificial intelligence
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An intriguing panel discussion that brings together local experts, writers, artists and thinkers who are engaging with AI in grounded, practical and critical ways, right here in Western Australia
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Daily on , 10:30am - 12pm until Fri 3 Jul 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 Fri 3 Jul 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.
Practise English at the State Library
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Daily on , 1:30 - 2:30pm until Wed 1 Jul 2026
Join our English conversation groups, a friendly place to practise your language skills and make new friends.
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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
Stories from Nature and Its Defenders
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Join acclaimed environmentalist Bob Brown for an insightful conversation about Defiance, his powerful new collection of stories from the frontlines of environmental battles. Presented by the Margaret River Readers & Writers Festival in partnership with the State Library
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.