La Trobe Journal

ISSN 1441-3760

This highly regarded scholarly journal was founded by the Friends of the State Library in 1968. Originally published as the La Trobe Library Journal under the editorship of distinguished historian Dr Geoffrey Serle, it was founded to promote interest in the State Library's Australiana collection. Since then, its scope has broadened to cover the entire Library collection.

In 1988, the State Library of Victoria Foundation became the sponsor of the journal, which allowed the publication to expand considerably. Over the years, the journal has explored the many hidden aspects of the Library and its collections through topics as diverse as medieval manuscripts, book illustration, the Angry Penguins, and Victoria's goldrush.

The La Trobe Journal is published twice a year in Autumn and Spring.

La Trobe Journal online

In mid-2007, the State Library of Victoria launched the La Trobe Journal website. This full-text online archive features every edition of the journal published since 1968, excluding the four most recent editions (or those published in the previous two years). 

The website contains scanned images of actual printed pages, as well as transcriptions of all text. Illustrations in articles can also be viewed and printed independently from the text. All content, including articles and bibliographies can be searched by author, title and keyword.

Visit the La Trobe Journal website >

Recent editions

The four most recent journal editions are only available in hard copy. Following a two-year online publication embargo, recent editions are then added to the web archive.

Information about recent journal editions, including contents listings and feature articles, is available on the State Library of Victoria website.

View recent editions >

Read feature articles >

Obtaining copies

Copies of recent editions can be purchased via the Library's online shop.

Members of the Library Foundation receive free copies of the La Trobe Journal as part of their membership.

Journal contributions

The editor, John Arnold, welcomes any contributions or ideas for future editions. To ensure that the highest standards of academic research and writing are maintained, all scholarly articles presented for publication are refereed. John Arnold can be contacted via email at John.Arnold@arts.monash.edu.au.