What's On
Exhibitions
Photography Exhibition
Dates
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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.
It’s a Barrel of Fun!
Dates
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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.
Dates
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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.
Upcoming Events
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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.
Boorloo Heritage Festival
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Four mini documentaries tell the stories of Australia’s first guide dog; the ‘rock masses’ held at St George’s Cathedral in the 1970s; the extraordinary life of 1920s male impersonator Effie Fellows; and the fascinating history of the Perth Observatory.
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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.
What’s happening now in artificial intelligence
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An intriguing panel discussion that brings together local experts writers, artists and thinkers who are engaging with AI in grounded, practical and critical ways, right here in Western Australia
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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
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Monthly on the third Wednesday, 7:30 - 8:30pm until Wed 17 Jun 2026
Online digital book club. Every month, join author David Allan-Petale in conversation with a new author to discuss their book.
Mick Herron in Conversation
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Join bestselling author Mick Herron for a conversation about Clown Town, the latest novel set in the world of Slow Horses. Presented by the Margaret River Readers & Writers Festival in partnership with the State Library.
Getting started
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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
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.