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.
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.
2025 Library Board Awards
Nominations open
News
The 2025 Library Board of Western Australia Awards for Innovation and Collaboration are now open for nominations until Tuesday 27 May 2025.

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

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.
Book an Adventure map
80 Years of Australian Stories for Children
Dates
Venture through an exhibition of original picture book artwork, celebrating 80 years of the Children’s Book Council of Australia. From timeless tales to modern favourites, explore the wondrous worlds found within the pages of Australia’s best-loved children’s books.

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.
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.
Collection of paintings in the art stacks
Exploring the State Library’s Picture Book Illustration Collection
Step into the magical world of picture books with these special behind-the-scenes tours of the State Library’s children’s book art collection.

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.