News
News
24 June 2025
The State Library has announced the Western Australian Premier’s Book Awards Shortlist for 2025.
In the lead up to the opening of the new Alexander Library Building in 1985, a collection of 189 Western Australian and Australian artworks were purchased for display with funds from the interior design budget.
A Family Reunion
News
8 May 2025
The State Library team was pleased to welcome the Turner family of Augusta on Thursday 1 May as part of their family reunion.
Stories
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.
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.
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
80 Years of Australian Stories for Children
Dates
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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
Practise English at the State Library
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Weekly on Tuesday and Wednesday, 1:30 - 2:30pm until Wed 24 Sep 2025
Join our English conversation groups, a friendly place to practise your language skills and make new friends.
Discover the Premier's Book Awards Shortlist
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Join us for an afternoon of panel conversations with the shortlisted authors from the 2025 Western Australian Premier's Book Awards.
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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.
Exploring the State Library’s Picture Book Illustration Collection
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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.
Getting started
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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.