Media Release
State Library of Victoria Launches Major Online Exhibition
4 June 2007
The State Library of Victoria has launched a major online exhibition: 'Mirror of the World: books and ideas', which showcases some of the State Library of Victoria's most precious and historically significant books.
The 'Mirror of the World: books & ideas' website was inspired by the Library's permanent onsite exhibition of the same name. Both draw on the incredible wealth of material in the State Library of Victoria's Rare Books Collection and celebrate books as keepers of ideas, knowledge and the imagination.
This website offers unprecedented access to a remarkable range of rare and diverse items from the Library’s collections and includes works dating from 2050 BC through to modern graphic novels and zines. Many of these items are so fragile that they must be carefully stored in climate-controlled conditions, making their availability in the digital format all the more important.
The 'Mirror of the World: books & ideas' website provides a rich, multimedia experience through digitised interactive content including: video presentations; audio recordings of book readings; images that can be examined in fine detail using zoom and pan tools; book pages that can be turned virtually; a timeline of Library rare book editions featured on the website and much more.
State Library of Victoria CEO and State Librarian Anne-Marie Schwirtlich believes the website will enable many more Victorians to access these unique Library collections.
'Our Rare Books Collection is one of the most significant collections in Australia. As Australia's oldest public library, the State Library has been collecting books for over 150 years. We are now able to show some of our finest items in this magnificent online exhibition and give Victorians a unique insight into the way books have shaped the way we think about ourselves and the world over the centuries,' she said.
The 'Mirror of the World: books & ideas' website forms part of the State Library of Victoria’s slv21 strategy which, through a series of digitisation and online programs, aims to increase access to library resources for all Victorians.
Media inquiries
Matthew van Hasselt
Media relations coordinator
State Library of Victoria
Tel 03 8664 7263
Email mvanhasselt@slv.vic.gov.au
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