The Independent Type: Books and Writing in Victoria is a free exhibition that celebrates Victoria's rich and diverse written culture, highlighting the stories, the voices and the spirit of independence that have made our literature unique.
With this important exhibition the State Library of Victoria celebrates Melbourne's status as a UNESCO City of Literature. The exhibition traces Victoria's literary evolution from traditional Indigenous storytelling through colonial classics to the vibrant contemporary writing scene. This thread is interwoven with the grand narrative of Victoria's history, and of the people and events that made Melbourne marvellous.
The Independent Type: Books and writing in Victoria celebrates the work of award-winning contemporary authors such as Booker Prize winner Peter Carey, crime writer Peter Temple and young-adult novelist Sonya Hartnett, as well as non-fiction authors including Manning Clark and Germaine Greer. It also features important early writers such as Marcus Clarke and Henry Handel Richardson, and embraces literary 'rascals' like left-wing novelist Frank Hardy and controversies such as the notorious Ern Malley hoax.
The exhibition examines a diversity of 'literatures' – the printed book, electronic media, the spoken word and even a possum-skin cloak. It looks into Victoria's thriving literary niches, including poetry, theatre, literary journals and 'zines, and children's literature from I Can Jump Puddles to Animalia. It explores every aspect of the world of books and writing, from booksellers and publishers to literary awards and festivals. It tells the stories of passionate and enterprising figures such as State Library founder Sir Redmond Barry, the eccentric EW Cole and his Book Arcade, independent publishers McPhee Gribble, and Lonely Planet founders Tony and Maureen Wheeler.
The exhibition comprises a fascinating display of rare books and original manuscripts, documents, photographs, artworks and installations. It showcases the richness of the State Library of Victoria's literary history collection, and draws upon the collections of individuals and organisations across the country.
The Independent Type: Books and writing in Victoria is curated by Stephen Grimwade, Associate Director of the 2009 Melbourne Writers Festival and former editor of literary journal Going Down Swinging.
Program of events
The exhibition is complemented by an extensive program of talks, tours and activities at the Library. A number of the events have been recorded, and you can browse the Thursday evening events page to listen to a talk online.
Audio tour
Discover more about the exhibition with this 13-part audio tour, narrated by Ramona Koval, host of ABC Radio National's The Book Show.
Education resource
Learning programs and resources for students in Years 5-10 are available in this downloadable 34-page PDF publication produced by the Library's Education Team.
Touring exhibition
From September 2009, a touring exhibition of The Independent Type will travel across Victorian public libraries.
Literary Melbourne book
Edited by The Independent Type curator Stephen Grimwade, 'Literary Melbourne: A celebration of writing and ideas' features extracts from an array of Melbourne texts and full-colour illustrations.
Literary map
Navigate your way through the literary map of Victoria and learn about our writers and their origins, or visit the places where some of our greatest writing was created or set.
Chapters in Victorian Literary History video
The 'Chapters in Victorian Literary History' video features scenes from The Sentimental Bloke and stories about John 'Jacky' White's letters, a clandestine copy of Frank Hardy's Power Without Glory, and the conflict around Helen Garner's book The First Stone.
Partners & supporters
The Independent Type is supported by a range of partners and supporters. | 
