The Latest Breaking News from State Library of Victoria

‘There’s an aura about it’: 210-year-old first edition of Jane Austen’s Emma on display in Melbourne

The major acquisition is part of an initiative to redress the gender imbalance in the State Library of Victoria’s rare books collection

The Guardian - AU · Jul 2

State Library of Victoria faces job cuts as staff accuse management of pursuing ‘digital vanity projects’

Under the plan, 39 jobs would be lost and the public-facing workforce of reference librarians would be cut from 25 staff to 10

The Guardian - AU · Nov 27, 2025

Ancient example of printed text to be displayed in Melbourne: ‘It unites us all’

A Japanese prayer scroll dating back more than 1,250 years has been acquired by the State Library of Victoria and will feature alongside other rare books items in an exhibition later this month

The Guardian - AU · May 12, 2025

Dr Lynn inspired Harry Houdini to take up magic, but he's largely unknown

Dr Lynn would dismember a man every night before putting him back together, and audiences loved it. But the illusionist, who started his career in Australia, is largely forgotten by history.

ABC News · Jul 8, 2022

Mid-century architect's former home auctioned after 30-year battle over heritage listing

A mid-century home designed by renowned architect Robin Boyd has gone under the hammer in Melbourne, bringing to an end a decades-long battle between its owners and Heritage Victoria.

ABC News · Jun 28, 2022

'Whelan the Wrecker is here': The demolition firm that transformed Melbourne over a century

Some of the city's oldest, and grandest, buildings were among thousands pulled down by one demolition firm that became so well known that its name became part of Melburnians' vocabulary.

ABC News · Jan 22, 2022