What's New

News

A group of women sit around a table to knit poppies
News
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.
A poster on the side of bookshelves in a local library reads Have your say
News
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.
Daisy Utemorrah Award Shortlist Announced for 2026
News
In partnership with the Western Australian Premier’s Book Awards, Magabala Books has announced the 2026 Daisy Utemorrah Award shortlist. Congratulations to the talented finalists: Amanda Lott, Junaidah Mamid and Elise Thornthwaite.

Stories

Womens 100 m breaststroke  at the Beatty Park Aquatic Centre 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games
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

Aboriginal couple at Moore River at their wedding reverend beside them
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.
Yearling CWA members and friends in front of new building 1955
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

X-Press Magazine cover collage
41 Years on the Streets
Dates
An exhibition reflecting on the magazine’s cultural impact and legacy. From humble beginnings as a small but plucky guide to Perth’s nightlife, the magazine became a highly influential bible for all things music, art, fashion, food and drink in Perth.

Upcoming events

Reading at book on a smart device
Monthly on the third Wednesday, 7:30 - 8:30pm until Wed 19 Aug 2026
Online digital book club. Every month, join author David Allan-Petale in conversation with a new author to discuss their book.
image of authour and podcaster Mark Fennel
What do a mechanical tiger that roars, a royal dog named Looty, and a bullet-scarred Aboriginal shield have in common? They’re all at the centre of extraordinary stories about power, theft, identity and the lasting impact of empire.
Huts family Western Australia 1954
Getting started
Every 3 months on the last Wednesday, 11am - 1pm until Wed 25 Nov 2026
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.
Stanley Minning preaching at a camp meeting at Cundeelee October 1955
Monthly on the last Wednesday, 2 - 4pm until Wed 25 Nov 2026
Discover how to find out more about your kinship in a joint presentation from the Storylines team and the Aboriginal History WA team.
Battye Fellowship talk 2025
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

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.