What's On

Exhibitions

Crow Baby book cover by Helen Milroy
Dates
Crow Baby tells the story of Daisy, born of two spirits – one crow and one human, who must live between two worlds. Embark on a journey into the heart of First Nations storytelling in this exhibition of picture book artwork by acclaimed author and illustrator, Helen Milroy. 
Liquid Gold square promo image
A Taste of WA Brewing History
Dates
Explore WA’s rough and tumble relationship with beer. From pre-colonial fermentation and the earliest homebrews to the mighty Swan Brewery taking on the world, the stories and objects in this exhibition chart entrepreneurialism, activism, bitter rivalries and social change.
Asians and Afghans in Eucla with camels 1900
Dates
Unpick the often-mistold history of ‘camel men’ and their social, cultural and economic contribution to Western Australia. Delve into the origins of South Asian migration to Australia in the late nineteenth century and learn about the adventurers who built a life against the odds.
Aboriginal family in camp in the South West ca1905
Past/Present Future
Dates
Utilising photographs from Storylines, the exhibition provides examples of Aboriginal architecture and design from the late 19th century to the present to showcase the unique skills and practices steeped in cultural knowledge.
Sketchbook Project Exhibition
Dates
As part of the 2024 Youth Week WA KickstART Festival, the Propel Youth Arts WA Sketchbook Project is being exhibited at the State Library!
Ella and Faulkner Mackay looking at photograph album
Cherished Family Moments from the Collection
Dates
The Keepsake exhibition examines why mementos and everyday objects often hold the key to family history and ultimately shape who and how we identify ourselves. Showcasing cherished family moments from the State Library’s collection.

Upcoming Events

Person reading eBook on eReader
A monthly online digital book club. Every month, join author David Allan-Petale in conversation with a new author to discuss their book. Join us for a special edition Libby Book Club in February both online and in-person at the State Library of WA.
Better Beginnings Rhyme Time
Weekly on Friday at 10:30am until Wed 27 Mar 2024
Songs, rhymes and stories for babies and their families, followed by an hour of Play Time to help develop early literacy and learning skills.
Audible Edge Festival 2024 poster
Workshops and events
As part of Audible Edge 2024, Tone List and the State Library present a series of free workshops in the 'Night School' program and performances that will offer new ways of engaging with music, sound and performance.
Better Beginnings Rhyme Time
Weekly on Monday at 10:30am until Fri 5 Apr 2024
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.
Huts family Western Australia 1954
Getting started
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.
Cundeelee school children on a bush walk 1955
Monthly on the last Wednesday at 2:00pm
The Storylines project connects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to the State Library of WA's heritage, history and photographic collections.
Studio portrait of Salaam Kaker ca 1914
Join us for the opening event and panel conversation to get a glimpse into what life was like for the men who opened up inland Australia and helped spark the biggest goldrush in the west. Were they Sheiks, Fakes, Cameleers… or much more?
Still from Desa Timun Series
Short Film Festival
Discover the rich diversity of contemporary Indonesian film and television in this unique short film festival presented in cooperation with Indonesiana TV.
Typus orbis terrarum Amsterdam Johannes Cloppenburg 1632
with Chet Van Duzer
In this lecture, map expert Chet Van Duzer will examine changing ideas about the Indian Ocean from classical antiquity to the eighteenth century, focusing on how those changes are reflected in maps.
SWF Live and Local Promo image
Live and Local 2024
Join us for one of Australia’s most loved forums for literature, ideas and storytelling. A selection of headline events will be live-streamed to the State Library.
Ella and Faulkner Mackay looking at photograph album
Cherished Family Moments from the Collection
Join us for the Keepsake exhibition opening and a panel conversation that asks us to consider the meeting points of science, literature and art and how they shape our collective humanity.
PCAF Perth Comics Arts Festival 2024
A weekend of FREE comic celebrations for the whole community! Local and international comic book professionals share their knowledge for creators, readers and educators. On Sunday, a showcase of over 80 comic book creators sell their work.

Awards, Grants, Fellowships & Projects

Tom Jewell and sister Joan at the Royal Show 1949
Information on Battye Fellowships, Premier's Book Awards, scholarships and Library Board awards.
Child and parent looking at Kids Kanopy on laptop screen
Find out about available community, public library and Better Beginnings Grants.
10187Musical band with instruments near grain sacks in a barn or warehouse c1932
Corridors of Blissterday winning submission is by Sze Tsang, who releases music under the name Samarobryn,
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