Media Release
State Library of Victoria Welcomes City of Literature Announcement
20 August 2008
CEO and State Librarian Anne-Marie Schwirtlich has warmly welcomed the announcement by the United Nations which names Melbourne as the World’s second City of Literature and a part of UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network.
‘For over 150 years the State Library has been a part of the literary fabric of Melbourne and we are proud of that heritage. We are equally proud to be, together with public libraries, one of many elements that contributed to this recognition from UNESCO.
Melbourne’s community of writers, publishers, booksellers and readers, as well as its commitment to vibrant literary events is what truly makes us a City of Literature,’ she said.
The State Library will be home to the Centre for Books, Writing and Ideas – a nexus for organisations supporting literature in Melbourne. The Centre will house the Melbourne Writers’ Festival, Victorian Writers’ Centre, Express Media, the Emerging Writers’ Centre and the Australian Poetry Centre. The Centre is due to open in the second half of 2009.
The Library is curating an exhibition, to be displayed from April to August 2009, that celebrates Victoria’s literary culture, highlighting the stories and voices that have made and continue to make our literature unique. A version of the exhibition will tour Victoria’s public libraries from September 2009 to June 2011.
The State Library of Victoria is Victoria’s oldest cultural institution. It presents several literary programs that celebrate and promote Australian and international writing and writers. The Library runs author programs and tours them across Victoria, administers the prestigious Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards and through the Centre for Youth Literature engages and inspires young readers. In addition the Library collects a stunning and diverse range of publications and literary treasures and makes them freely available to the public. Since 2003 the Library has offered Creative Fellowships which invite writers, researchers, artists, musicians and scholars to use the Library’s collections to create new works.
Media inquiries
Matthew van Hasselt
Media relations coordinator, State Library of Victoria
Tel: 03 8664 7263
Email: mvanhasselt@slv.vic.gov.au
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