(11 Aug 2025) In the presence of a tightly rolled, yellowed scroll in the State Library of Victoria, it is hard not to feel a bit awe-struck. Inside a glass cabinet in the centre of the library sits the oldest known mass-printed text in the world, the Hyakumantō Darani. The finger-length item is a…
(26 Sep 2023) After a worldwide survey with more than 20,000 votes cast, State Library Victoria came in as the 12th best in the world – now that’s nothing to sneeze at. The survey was conducted by passionate library advocate and Melbourne local Vincent Phan, who runs the popular bibliophile website 1000 Libraries. Here…
After six years at the helm of the fourth busiest library in the world, Kate Torney has taken on a new challenge: supporting research into cancer. (6 Sep 2021) When Kate Torney was announced as the new CEO of the State Library Victoria (SLV) in 2015 she was an outsider. The first non-library trained CEO…
(9 July 2021) The role involves working within a rapidly changing digital environment, requiring the ability to learn complex computer applications quickly and comprehensively. The role entails stakeholder management on cross-functional projects, operating within an agile environment, whist utilising a variety of project methodologies and tools to achieve project deliverables and outcomes. The Specialist,…
(9 Dec 2019) With the rise of digital information early this century, the death of the library was predicted. Yet far from causing the demise of libraries, the digital revolution has led to libraries being reinvented and reinvigorated. Library staff are experts in knowledge systems and adept at seizing the possibilities presented by these changes. This ability…
(2 Oct 2019) On December 5, the iconic State Library Victoria in Melbourne’s CBD will reopen its doors following the completion of a five-year redevelopment that cost $88.1 million. Soon you’ll be able to see details that have been hidden for more than 50 years. See what changes have been made here.
(11 May 2018) State Library Victoria has been named one of Australia’s best venues by the events industry national peak body. The Library won the ‘best unique event venue without accommodation’ category at the Meetings and Events Australia (MEA) National Conference in Adelaide on Tuesday 8 May. The win followed the Library’s success in the…
(2 February 2018) Applications are now open for State Library Victoria’s prestigious annual fellowships program, with a new specialist fellowship for Victorian Aboriginal researchers offered from 2018. The Indigenous Victorian Aboriginal Cultural Research Fellowship supports Aboriginal researchers to explore the Library’s collections and engage with archival records to produce research material that can be used…
(1 June 2017) Leading Australian businesswoman Christine Christian has donated $2 million to State Library Victoria to establish Start Space – a new centre to support early-stage entrepreneurs, the first of its kind in Victoria. Part of the Library’s Vision 2020 redevelopment, Start Space will provide emerging entrepreneurs with free access to resources, services, programs…
(10 April 2017) The State Library of Victoria in Melbourne has tapped Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects with local partners Architectus and Andronas Conservation Architecture to lead in the design of a $88.1 million redevelopment plan, Vision 2020. The scheme will return 40% more space to public use, aiming to “unlock possibilities, create connections and act as a…