News from the Library

State Library Reopening FAQs

1. Is the Library open?
   The State Library reopened on Monday 18 May 2020. Our opening hours are Monday to Thursday 9:00am to 8:00pm, Friday 9:00am to 5:30pm and on Saturday and Sunday 10:00am to 5:30pm.
    

Find everything you need to know about upcoming exhibitions, events and workshops at the State Library in January, February and March in one handy guide. State Library What's On: January, February and March (PDF 3.36 MB)

Not long ago we asked the good folk at the John Curtin Institute of Public Policy at Curtin University to do a bit of research on the value of libraries and this is what they came up with.

Bottom line is that libraries are important community assets, which make where we live a better place.

Find everything you need to know about upcoming exhibitions, events and workshops at the State Library in October, November and December in one handy guide. State Library What's On: October, November and December (PDF 2.6 MB)

• ​The State Library's Disrupted Festival of Ideas is on July 27 and 28, 2019
• Features Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, Leigh Sales, Professor Geoff Gallop, Dr Tracy Westerman, Bri Lee and many other local and interstate speakers
• More than 10,000 people are expected to attend Disrupted in person and online

Find everything you need to know about upcoming exhibitions, events and workshops at the State Library in July, August and September in one handy guide. State Library What's On: July, August & September (PDF 2.2MB)

• The shortlist of the Premier's Book Awards announced
• Awards ceremony to be held on July 26, 2019 

Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman today announced the shortlist for the 2018 Western Australian Premier's Book Awards.

• Exhibition exploring the legacy of John Forrest’s 1874 trek in shaping Western and South Australian exploration history opens.
• The project will contribute to a more balanced and inclusive understanding of Western Australia’s history including perspective of Aboriginal peoples.

• The State Library has successfully bid for a 1978 handwritten letter by Bon Scott.
• The acquisition adds to library's dynamite collection of existing AC/DC materials.
• The library continues to expand its heritage collection of items significant to Western Australian history and culture. 

Find everything you need to know about upcoming exhibitions, events and workshops at the State Library in April, May and June in one handy guide. State Library What's On: April, May & June (PDF 2.2MB)

Find everything you need to know about upcoming exhibitions, events and workshops at the State Library in January, February and March in one handy guide.

State Library What's On: January, February & March (PDF 1.9MB)

Western Australian writers across all genres will be the beneficiaries of the revamped Premier's Book Awards, which were announced today by Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman.

The new format will see the awards reinstated as an annual event and feature three separate Western Australian awards and one national indigenous award.

The Backyard Book Fair at the State Library of Western Australia is an opportunity for your children to meet the writers and illustrators of their favourite books.

On Sunday 11 November 2018, the State Library of Western Australia will offer behind-the-scenes tours as part of Open House Perth.

Fittingly named Beyond the Bookshelves, these guided tours will take you deep into the bowels of the unassuming brutalist State Library building in the Perth Culture Centre.

Find everything you need to know about upcoming exhibitions, events and workshops at the State Library in October, November & December in one handy guide.

State Library What's On: October, November & December (PDF 2.19MB)

• Bibbullmun Bardi – Exploring Aboriginal Design celebrates Aboriginal fashion and textiles in Western Australia
• Exhibition features  clothing, textiles, photographs and archival collections from influential WA Aboriginal design icons
• Free event, open from 8 August to 30 September 2018

The State Library of Western Australia is pleased to announce that Steven James Finch and Gabby Loo have been awarded the James Sykes Battye Creative Fellowship for 2018.

• More than 3,500 people are expected to visit a weekend of free activities and events at the State Library of Western Australia - July 28 and 29, 2018
• Keynote speakers: Dr Munjed al Muderis, Professor Genevieve Bell and Morris Gleitzman

Screenwest has partnered with the State Library of Western Australia providing a significant boost to the WA Heritage Film Appeal in its final two weeks. Screenwest will pledge $8,000 to the Appeal to ensure its $10,000 crowdfunding target is met before the Appeal concludes on Friday 11 May 2018.

Find everything you need to know about upcoming exhibitions, events and workshops at the State Library in April, May & June in one handy guide.

State Library What's On: April, May & June (PDF 2.2MB)
 

169 remarkable women have been inducted into the WA Women’s Hall of Fame between 2011-2017. However very few personal records of the life and achievements of these women are available for access through the State Library of Western Australia.

Level One of the State Library of Western Australia will be undergoing refurbishment. To prepare for the upgrade, the collections on the floor will be moved and bookshelves will be emptied. If you have trouble finding the items you are looking for please speak to a staff member on the Ground Floor or Level Three.

• Minderoo Foundation partners with State Library to fund major history project
• Project to re-trace Sir John Forrest’s 1874 trek from Geraldton to Adelaide  
• Award-winning Storylines will capture an Aboriginal point of view

• Over 120 individuals and organisations contributed to the State Library’s heritage collections in 2017
• Rio Tinto acknowledged for financial support
• State Library launches Peer of the State Library, a donor recognition program.

• ​New approach to ensure public libraries reflect community expectations
• A single access card and management system among the measures touted
• An implementation working group is being established to lead the consultation process
• Public urged to provide comment on background paper and strategy released today

• Bird Song exhibit offers an interactive, educational experience for children and families
• Exhibit features John Hutchinson bird call recordings paired with scientific illustrations of WA birds 
• Free event open from 6 November to 31 January 2018

The State Library is now accepting public donations of campaign material in the lead up to the local government ordinary elections on 21 October.

Printed posters, flyers, how-to-vote cards, stickers and badges along with electronic campaign material such as emails, are welcomed.

The State Library is set to contribute to Perth’s thriving start-up scene with its own co-working space for entrepreneurs and creative thinkers. Taking its name from the Dewey decimal classification for knowledge, Studio 001 offers a fully equipped office space for individuals and teams to get their business ideas, plans and projects off the ground.

Find everything you need to know about upcoming exhibitions, events and workshops at the State Library in October, November & December in one handy guide.

State Library What's On: October, November & December (PDF 1.9MB)

• Photograph exhibit The Beauty of Zhejiang Province showcases Western Australia’s beautiful Sister State in China
• Display includes 80 photographs capturing the dynamic landscape, vibrant people and culture of the Zhejiang Province
• Free exhibit open until Wednesday 23 August, 2017

• Disrupted Festival of Ideas to run Saturday, July 29 and Sunday, July 30 at State Library
• Keynote speakers Tara Moss, Tiernan Brady and Kon Karapanagiotidis will feature in free events
• About 2,500 people are expected to attend, increasing vibrancy and activity in the Cultural Centre 

Disrupted Festival of Ideas is a weekend (29-30 July) of free conversations, intimate walking tours, live music and creativity, taking over the State Library of Western Australia.

At the Library Board of Western Australia Awards ceremony held at the State Library of Western Australia on Thursday May 25, Ms Nola Allen, Ms Susan Ashcroft and Ms Sue North were each conferred the distinction of Fellow of the Library Board of Western Australia for exceptional service to the community in the development of the Better Beginnings family literacy pro

Welcome to the March edition of the Connect eNewsletter. Find out about the latest news, events, exhibitions and acquisitions at the State Library of Western Australia.

March Connect eNewsletter (PDF 890KB)

Celebrate UNESCO World Poetry Day, Tuesday 21 March 2017.  Join three Perth poets at the State Library for a reading of their works.

Capturing the creative spirit and discovering our stories are the common themes that unite the State Library of Western Australia and UNESCO in the celebration of World Poetry Day.

Simpson and his Donkey artworks find new home at State Library.

Community language schools have received a welcome new resource with the launch of the Community Languages Collection at the State Library of Western Australia.

Renowned Australian author Helen Garner has won Western Australia's top literary award, the prestigious $25,000 Premier's Prize, at the 2016 Western Australian Premier's Book Awards.

The State Library has purchased the first detailed chart of the west Australian coast, published in 1753. The chart was prepared by Johannes van Keulen, the Dutch East India Company’s mapmaker, using information from Willem de Vlamingh’s manuscript chart of his exploration voyage of 1696-97.

The State Library’s collection of election ephemera gives a glimpse into Western Australia’s cultural, social and political history.

The State Library of Western Australia is pleased to announce that Dr Anne Scrimgeour is the recipient of the JS Battye Memorial Fellowship for 2016, and that artists Nicola Kaye and Stephen Terry have been awarded the inaugural JS Battye Creative Fellowship.