The Latest Breaking News from the State Library

Teens came first at Australia’s world-leading Centre For Youth Literature – until it was axed

In 2019, the State Library Victoria announced it was retiring the “brand” of its groundbreaking Centre for Youth Literature.

The Conversation · May 6

The Queensland government has interfered with the state’s literary awards – again

The Queensland government has announced the state’s literary awards will move from their current home at the State Library of Queensland to “an alternative provider” – along with the blackwrite! fellowships for emerging First Nations writers. The move has been framed in the language of safety and hate speech –…

The Conversation · Mar 10

Proposed cuts at State Library of Victoria go against its mission – and will hurt the disadvantaged

The State Library of Victoria – recognised this year as the third most popular library in the world – is proposing major cuts to staff and services. The number of reference librarians will be cut from 25 to ten. Children’s and family engagement officers will be axed, as will digital…

The Conversation · Nov 24, 2025

Gallery opens with Barak artworks that have come home

Two artworks by Wurundjeri leader William Barak bought at a New York auction are the centrepiece of the State Library of Victoria's Indigenous Gallery.

AAP · Dec 12, 2023

The ugly truth about Frankenstein’s monster: He came to life as a stud-muffin hunk

Frankenstein's monster started out not looking so bad, according to the first illustrated edition of Mary Shelley's classic novel. The 1832 volume is on

The New Daily · Mar 31, 2023