SLV Email Newsletter April 2008 

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In this issue:
1. Front Foyer changes
2. Subscribe to hear medieval lectures
3. Ergo - student research skills website launched
4. Playwright awards now open
5. Premier's Literary Awards close 2 May
6. Mora Fellowship applications close 1 May
7. Medieval manuscripts prove popular
8. Imagination, books and community in medieval Europe: Conference
9. Library treasures tour Gippsland
10. Popcorn and Puccini
11. The Medieval Imagination exhibition catalogue

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FROM THE INFORMATION DESK

FRONT FOYER CHANGES
In response to customer feedback, we have recently made some major changes to the Library's main foyer. The security checkpoint has moved closer to the foyer desk and now includes a display unit for brochures. You may also notice that the plasma screen showing What's On events listings has moved - look for it behind the foyer desk. It's all designed to create the warmest welcome possible for visitors. We hope you like the changes!

New to the Library? Learn more about the foyer and our other public spaces at:
http://slv.vic.gov.au/about/visiting/spaces/index.html?newsletter

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LISTEN UP

SUBSCRIBE TO HEAR MEDIEVAL LECTURES
Interested in medieval manuscripts? Subscribe for free to our podcast 'The Medieval Imagination Lectures' - it features recordings of selected lectures associated with our exhibition of the same name. To date it includes Geraldine Brooks talking about her new book 'People of the Book'; the 2008 Foxcroft Lecture, by Dr David McKitterick, of Trinity College, Cambridge; and 'English Books of Hours', a public lecture by Professor Nigel Morgan.

Subscribe to the podcast at:
http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/about/site/feeds/index.html?newsletter

Listen online at:
http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/programs/ltf/lectures/foxcroft/2008/?newsletter
http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/programs/exhibitions/kmg/2008/medieval_imagination/events/associated_events/geraldine_brooks.html?newsletter
http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/programs/exhibitions/kmg/2008/medieval_imagination/events/talks_and_tours/nigel_morgan.html?newsletter

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ERGO - STUDENT RESEARCH SKILLS WEBSITE LAUNCHED
Ergo, a new website designed to help secondary students learn research, essay writing and study skills, has been launched by the Library. It features hundreds of original documents, photographs, maps and other items from the Library's collection; video interviews with prominent Victorian writers and historians such as Helen Garner and Robyn Annear; and VELS-related teacher's resources.

Explore the website at:
http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/ergo/?newsletter

PLAYWRIGHT AWARDS NOW OPEN
Victorian playwrights are invited to enter the annual RE Ross Trust Playwrights' Script Development Awards. The awards provide funding - from a minimum of $3000 per annum up to $10,000 - for the advancement of a play as a work-in-progress. Entries close on Friday 23 May at 5pm.

Full details are available at:
http://slv.vic.gov.au/programs/literary/ross/index.html?newsletter

PREMIER'S LITERARY AWARDS CLOSE 2 MAY
Entries for the 2008 Victorian Premier's Literary Awards close on Friday 2 May 2008. These annual awards - including the new Prize for Best Music Theatre Script - recognise the best writing across 14 diverse categories, and are worth a total of $225,000.

Guidelines and the application form are available at:
http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/programs/literary/pla/index.html?newsletter

MORA FELLOWSHIP APPLICATIONS CLOSE 1 MAY
A reminder that applications for the Georges Mora Foundation Fellowship close at 5pm on Thursday 1 May. This fellowship supports artists of repute to explore new ideas.

For full information about this Fellowship see:
http://slv.vic.gov.au/programs/research/mora_fellowship/index.html?newsletter

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COMING EVENTS

MEDIEVAL MANUSCRIPTS PROVE POPULAR
'The Medieval Imagination: Illuminated manuscripts from Cambridge, Australia and New Zealand' has been immensely popular, drawing large crowds every day. See these rare manuscripts before the exhibition closes on 15 June. (Audio tour available online and onsite.)

Book now for these free, related events: Life in the Middle Ages talk series on 1, 8 and 15 May; 'Openings', a lecture by Professor Jeffrey Hamburger on 29 May; and a talk on 22 May about the making of a medieval manuscript.

Are you from out of town? Accommodation packages for exhibition attendees are available through The Sebel Melbourne and Citigate Melbourne.

For more information see:
http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/programs/exhibitions/kmg/2008/medieval_imagination/index.html?newsletter

IMAGINATION, BOOKS AND COMMUNITY IN MEDIEVAL EUROPE: CONFERENCE
This major conference, at the Library from 29 to 31 May, features international experts including Alexandra Barratt (University of Waikato, New Zealand), Jeffrey Hamburger (Harvard University, USA), Margaret Manion AO (University of Melbourne) and James Marrow (Princeton University, USA). Papers include subjects such as music and liturgy, devotion and saints, and art and imagination.

See the conference program, paper abstracts, speaker biographies and registration form at:
http://slv.vic.gov.au/programs/exhibitions/kmg/2008/medieval_imagination/conference.html?newsletter

LIBRARY TREASURES TOUR GIPPSLAND
The Library's Travelling Treasures program hits the road again in late May, visiting Bairnsdale, Sale and Warragul. Burke and Wills expedition items and early May Gibbs editions are just some of the collection treasures that locals will get to see up close. These free evening events are a unique opportunity to hear Library staff talk about selected items and answer questions. Book now to secure your place.

Find out more at:
http://slv.vic.gov.au/programs/events/2008/travelling-treasures/index.html?newsletter

POPCORN AND PUCCINI
Explore the Library's eclectic video collection at our free screening programs. Outside-In Cinema shows contemporary music and dance docos and performances. Wednesday nights on the big screen in Experimedia. Drinks available at our temporary bar, BYO picnic dinner and rug! Our fortnightly Musical Wednesdays, 12-2pm in the Arts Listening-Viewing Room, feature music and dance performances on video, with an emphasis on opera and ballet classics.

Get the full details at:
http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/programs/musicvideo/index.html?newsletter
and
http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/programs/new_media/index.html?newsletter

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ONLINE SHOP SPOTLIGHT

THE MEDIEVAL IMAGINATION EXHIBITION CATALOGUE
A lavishly illustrated 228-page catalogue (RRP $66) has been produced by Macmillan Art Publishing in association with the Library. Stunning reproductions of illuminated manuscripts combined with authoritative essays by international and local contributors make this the essential companion to your exhibition visit. It is available at the special price of $59.95 at the Reader's Feast shop - open in the Library foyer for the duration of 'The Medieval Imagination' or online through the Reader's Feast bookstore.

To purchase this beautiful catalogue visit the Reader's Feast online bookstore at:
http://www.readersfeast.com.au?newsletter