What's On
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.
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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
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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.
41 Years on the Streets
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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.
Early Works of Children's Authors & Illustrators
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Juvenilia is work produced by an author or artist while they were a child. This exhibition showcases the juvenilia of Australian children’s authors and illustrators and their early endeavours at storytelling.
Upcoming Events
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August is National Family History Month, a nationwide celebration of discovering your roots and connecting with the stories that shape who we are. Discover what's on at the State Library.
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A cosy space to read the current and past shortlisted books of the Western Australian Premier's Book Awards.
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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.
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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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.
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An essential conversation about the stories women's bodies tell, the illnesses too often left unspoken, and the power of turning personal experience into public understanding.
AWESOME Festival
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Daily, 10am - 3pm until Sat 3 Oct 2026
Storyteller and host extraordinaire Glenn Swift invites you to The Story Hub: a warm, welcoming space for stories, books, rhymes and literary events at The Story Place.
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Discover how to find out more about your kinship in a joint presentation from the Storylines team and the Aboriginal History WA team.
Getting started
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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.
Awards, Grants, Fellowships & Projects
Information on Battye Fellowships, Premier's Book Awards, scholarships and Library Board awards.
Find out about available community, public library and Better Beginnings Grants.
Physical exhibitions turned into virtual tours and digital exhibitions.