Exhibitions

Person looking at photographs  in the 2024 Ilford Orloff Awards exhibition
Photography Exhibition
Dates
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.
Boys eating watermelon 1929
The Food That Shapes Us
Dates
An exhibition exploring what food tells us about who we are as Western Australians. From nostalgic eateries, iconic ads and timeworn recipes to radical social change and environmental transformation, take a seat at the table of WA’s evolving food heritage.
Digital illustration of monkeys playing with bananas
It’s a Barrel of Fun!
Dates
Get ready to go wild. Swing open the doors to a world where imagination runs riot and animals talk back in this animal-themed exhibition of picture book artwork from the State Library Collection.

Upcoming Events

Story Time - Dad with son
Weekly on Monday, 10:30am - 12pm until Mon 30 Mar 2026
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.
English Conversation session at the State Library
Practise English at the State Library
Weekly on Tuesday and Wednesday, 1:30 - 2:30pm until Wed 18 Mar 2026
Join our English conversation groups, a friendly place to practise your language skills and make new friends.
Better Beginnings Rhyme Time
Weekly on Friday, 10:30am - 12pm until Fri 27 Mar 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.
Interior State Library levels
A Writing and Research Workshop
Join us for an afternoon of inspiration, and creative exploration featuring acclaimed author Amanda Curtin. This workshop invites you to uncover stories within the State Records Office and the State Library.
Reading at book on a smart device
Monthly on the third Wednesday, 7:30 - 8:30pm until Wed 15 Apr 2026
Online digital book club. Every month, join author David Allan-Petale in conversation with a new author to discuss their book.
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.
Ecofriendly Sculptures of hedgehogs artist Jodie Davidson
Make eco-friendly sculptures with artist Jodie Davidson
Join artist and author Jodie Davidson for a hands-on creative workshop that turns everyday garden items into crazy critters. Hammer, screw, knot, and weave materials together to bring your creative ideas to life.
Original artwork from Wheres Stripey
Daily on , 10 - 10:30am until Fri 17 Apr 2026
Join us for a fun half hour of storytelling featuring animal-themed tales. Each week brings new stories to spark curiosity and imagination.
Child with bug hat
Daily on , 10:30am - 12pm until Fri 10 Apr 2026
Children can make their own animal mask using simple materials like paper plates and coloured paper. This relaxed, self-paced activity is perfect for little makers and curious readers.
Kid drawing at workshop
A creative workshop with Wendy Binks
In this interactive workshop, Wendy shares her creative process and demonstrates how to draw animal characters using simple shapes.
Child drawing
Daily on , 10:30am - 12pm until Fri 17 Apr 2026
Kids can put together their own animal puppet, using simple craft materials like paper bags, paper plates and colourful cut-outs to bring a character to life.
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.

Awards, Grants, Fellowships & Projects

Tom Jewell and sister Joan at the Royal Show 1949
Information on Battye Fellowships, Premier's Book Awards, scholarships and Library Board awards.
Child and parent looking at Kids Kanopy on laptop screen
Find out about available community, public library and Better Beginnings Grants.
Physical exhibitions turned into virtual tours and digital exhibitions.