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Stories

Discover curiosities, treasures and the latest inspiring stories from our community and inside the Library

Extraordinary from A to Z: Zoe Coombs Marr
21 July 2025

Zoë Coombs Marr and the most surprising Library treasures

Follow Zoë Coombs Marr on a trip to uncover one of the Library’s most surprising collections – hair. Yes, hair!

Tim Ross in the La Trobe Reading Room
04 July 2025

Tim Ross and the most magnificent room in Melbourne

Tim Ross visits the Library to uncover some of the lesser-known facts about the La Trobe Reading Room.

25 June 2025

Introducing the 2025 fellows

This week the Library announced its 2025 Fellowship recipients. Meet the fellows and learn more about their projects.

Sammy J standing in front of Ned Kelly's armour at State Library Victoria
19 June 2025

Sammy J and the story of Ned Kelly’s greatest rival

Comedian Sammy J visits State Library Victoria to uncover the extraordinary story of Ned Kelly and Redmond Barry, one of the great feuds in Victorian history.

Black and white chess pieces on the Library's new permanent stone chessboard.
03 June 2025

Library’s legacy of chess is set in stone

Thanks to our incredible supporters, the Library's chessboards on the forecourt have had a major upgrade. We speak to the family of MV Anderson, one of our vital supporters, about the enduring appeal of chess.

02 June 2025

#RennieAndMe: celebrating an ongoing legacy

How your memories and reflections brought new meaning to the photography on display at Melbourne Out Loud.

Athol Shmith, Rob Imhoff & Carol Jerrems at Brummels 1975
12 May 2025

#RennieAndMe: photographer Robert Imhoff on Rennie Ellis’s early days

How photographers became the new rockstars in 1960s Melbourne.

Tim McKew with his portrait by Rennie Ellis
23 April 2025

#RennieAndMe: Tim McKew on life in front of Rennie Ellis’s lens

The pioneering cabaret artist on archives, queer history and Melbourne’s changing face.

Installation view of Make Believe: Encounters with Misinformation exhibition at State Library Victoria
17 April 2025

Behind the scenes of Make Believe with the curators

Make Believe: Encounters with Misinformation curators Linda Short and Georgia Goud discuss the process of bringing the exhibition together.

20 March 2025

Resources for new & emerging writers

Discover a wide range of learning, publishing and development opportunities, as well as prizes and fellowships, for young writers.

04 February 2025

Uncovering a forgotten pioneer of Australian crime fiction

How a State Library fellowship helped Lucy Sussex investigate the untold story of 19th-century crime writer Mary Fortune.

21 January 2025

Summer book club at the Library

Discover eight extraordinary reads – then join us at the Library to meet the authors in person.