March 2008 - Exhibitions & Events
Exhibitions
Victorians on Vacation
This delightful free exhibition celebrates holidays and leisure in Victoria since the mid-19th century – from sea-bathing in St Kilda to bush-camping and caravanning. It showcases photographs, postcards, travel posters and more from the Library's collection, plus nostalgic home movies.
Time: Until 2 March 2008, 10am–5pm daily (to 9pm Thursdays)
Venue: Keith Murdoch Gallery
Free
The Medieval Imagination: Illuminated Manuscripts from Cambridge, Australia and New Zealand
Discover the rich beauty of medieval and Renaissance illuminated manuscripts at this spectacular free exhibition, featuring treasures from the collections of Cambridge University and from Australian and New Zealand collections.
Time: 28 March–15 June, 10am-5pm daily (to 9pm Thursdays)
Venue: Keith Murdoch Gallery
Free
The changing face of Victoria
This fascinating exhibition highlights the people, places and events that have shaped life in Victoria over 200 years. Revisit Victoria's early years, see Ned Kelly’s armour and discover Melbourne stories and personalities.
Time: 10am–5pm daily
Venue: Dome Galleries, Level 5
Free
Mirror of the World: books and ideas
This magnificent exhibition showcases rare, beautiful and historically significant books from the Library’s collections. See treasures such as Audubon’s magnificent Birds of America, classic children’s books and 1950s pulp crime fiction.
Time: 10am–5pm daily
Venue: Dome Galleries, Level 4
Free
The Cowen Gallery
The elegant Cowen Gallery features a display of 150 works of art from the Library’s Pictures Collection, from early scenes of Melbourne to contemporary portraits.
Time: Daily during Library hours
Venue: Cowen Gallery
Free
The Medieval Imagination: Events & Activities
Geraldine Brooks: People of the Book
Hear Geraldine Brooks, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of March and Year of Wonders, speak about her latest novel, People of the Book. It tells the story of an ancient Hebrew illuminated manuscript, taking the reader on a journey of discovery across centuries and continents and into the medieval world. (Presented by Reader’s Feast Bookstore.)
Time: Tues 18 March, 6.30pm
Venue: Village Roadshow Theatrette (Entry 3, La Trobe Street)
Bookings: 03 9662 4699 or readers@readersfeast.com.au
Cost: $15/$12.50
The hand in the machine: Facsimiles, libraries and the politics of scholarship (The 2008 Foxcroft Lecture)
This free public lecture by Dr David McKitterick (Fellow and Librarian, Trinity College, University of Cambridge) will provide a fascinating introduction to the study of medieval manuscripts, focusing on the University of Cambridge’s rich collection. The annual Foxcroft Lecture honours the work of pioneering Melbourne bibliographer AB Foxcroft (1884–1938). Presented in partnership with the Centre for the Book, Monash University.
Time: Wed 26 March, 6pm
Venue: Village Roadshow Theatrette
Bookings: 03 8664 7016 or bookings@slv.vic.gov.au
Free
Free tour: The Medieval Imagination
Join in this half-hour guided tour for an overview of the magnificent Medieval Imagination exhibition.
Time: Fri 28 Mar, 1–1.30pm
Venue: Meet in front foyer
Bookings: Not required, except for groups (03 8664 7279)
Free
My favourite manuscript: Short talks (free)
Hear local and international experts discuss fascinating manuscripts personally selected from The Medieval Imagination in this series of short talks (20–30 minutes) over two days.
Friday 28 March
1pm: Guided tour of The Medieval Imagination with exhibition curator Professor Emeritus Margaret Manion AO, an internationally recognised expert on the illuminated manuscript. (Venue: Keith Murdoch Gallery. Bookings: 03 8664 7016 or bookings@slv.vic.gov.au)
2pm: Dr Stella Panayotova, Keeper of Manuscripts, Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge. (Venue: Experimedia. Bookings not required)
3pm: Dr Ruth Lightbourne, Curator Special Printed Collections, Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa, on The Boethius Manuscript. (Venue: Experimedia. Bookings not required)
4pm: Patrick Zutshi, Keeper of Manuscripts and University Archives, Cambridge University Library, on The Benedictional of Robert de Clerq. (Venue: Experimedia. Bookings not required)
Saturday 29 March
1pm: Guided tour of The Medieval Imagination with exhibition curator Professor Emeritus Margaret Manion AO. (Venue: Keith Murdoch Gallery. Bookings: 03 8664 7016 or bookings@slv.vic.gov.au)
2pm: Dr Bronywn Stocks, Monash University, on The Adelaide Hours (central Italy, c.1375). (Venue: Experimedia. Bookings not required)
3pm: Gordon Morrison, Ballarat Fine Art Gallery, on the Byzantine origins of the manuscript image Gregorian Man of Sorrows. (Venue: Experimedia. Bookings not required)
4pm: Dr David McKitterick, Fellow and Librarian, Trinity College, on an unusual illuminated copy of Macrobius (Venice, 1471). (Venue: Experimedia. Bookings not required)
Other Events
The Searchers project
The Searchers is an Australian Research Council Linkage project conducted by the Institute for Social Research at Swinburne University in collaboration with the State Library of Victoria. This project examines the challenges faced by public libraries in the online information environment and includes research on information-seeking, analysis of search models and evaluation of the implications for public libraries. Swinburne University Research Fellows Dr Vivienne Waller and Ian McShane will discuss the project.
Time: Tues 4 March, 9–10am
Venue: Meet at front entrance, 8.55am
Bookings: Not required
Free
Booktalkers: Meet the writers
Meet the new faces of young adult writing: Sean Condon, Elizabeth Fensham, Lee Fox, James Roy and Allayne Webster, plus Andrew Kelly, Publisher at black dog books. Hear about the journey from idea to finished book.
Time: Tues 4 March, 6.30–9pm
Venue: Village Roadshow Theatrette (Entry 3, La Trobe Street)
Bookings & inquiries: 03 8664 7555 or email learning@slv.vic.gov.au
Cost: $30 or by subscription (includes refreshments)
Tours & Activities
Dome Galleries tour
Visit four levels of the great dome, including the magnificent domed La Trobe Reading Room and highlights of the exhibitions The changing face of Victoria and Mirror of the World: books and ideas.
Time: Mon–Fri (from 4 Feb), 2–3pm
Venue: Meet in front foyer
Bookings: Not required (except for groups; call 03 8664 7279)
Free
Victorians on Vacation tour
Take a free, half-hour guided tour for an overview of the exhibition’s highlights.
Time: Sun 2 March, 2.30–3pm
Venue: Meet in front foyer
Bookings: Not required (except for groups; call 03 8664 7279)
Free
Sparky Stories: Digital workshop for kids
Free Sunday fun for kids aged 5 to 12! Inspired by illustrated books from the Library’s collection, each child will create a digital picture-book, complete with illustrations and their own narration. Limited to seven children per workshop, so book soon. (Each child must be accompanied by an adult.)
Time: Sun 2, 9 & 16 March, 10am–12noon
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or learning@slv.vic.gov.au
Free
Movie-making for seniors
Learn new skills and star in your own mini-movie! Bring along your photos and other special objects and tell your story on film, then take it home on DVD.
Time: Mon 3 March, 10am–3pm (with half-hour lunch break)
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or email learning@slv.vic.gov.au
Free
Musical Wednesdays
These relaxed Wednesday afternoon sessions feature free screenings of great music performances on video – a must for music fans. Seating is limited, so come early.
Times: Wed 12 & 26 March, 12–2pm
Venue: Arts Reading Room
Bookings: Not required (except for groups; call 03 8664 7194)
Free
Play Pod: Free fun for kids
In the colourful and kid-friendly Play Pod space in Experimedia, children aged 3 to 5 can dip into favourite story-books anytime. Other activities include card-making, story-writing and making a replica of Ned Kelly’s helmet – just ask the staff member on duty for activity materials. (Young children should be supervised by an adult.)
Time: Daily, 10am–5pm
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: Not required
Free
Wish you were here! Online photo competition
Got some great Victorian holiday photos? Enter the competition by 2 March and win a digital camera! Whether they’re snapshots from your mobile phone or faded prints in an album, dig them out and share your best holiday moments with the world. Enter now!
Free
March–April School Holiday Activities
Ned Kelly’s laptop: Family tour
Visit the exhibition The changing face of Victoria to discover the story of Ned Kelly. See Ned’s original armour, plus photographs and records from the time, and even the laptop on which Peter Carey wrote The True Story of the Kelly Gang. Followed by an optional half-hour children’s activity, making a replica of Ned’s helmet (for ages 5 to 12).
Time: Tues 25 & Thurs 27 March, 10.30–11.30am
Venue: Meet in front foyer
Bookings: Not required (except for groups; call 03 8664 7279)
Free
Super-action storytelling!
Hear storyteller Bernard Caleo’s entertaining reading of the classic adventures of King Arthur and his knights in the morning, then return for a fun afternoon workshop where each child creates a digital picture-book with their own illustrations and narration! Parents must accompany children. (For ages 5 to 12.)
Time: Sun 30 March, storytelling 10.30–11.30am, workshop 12–2pm
Venue: Meet in front foyer
Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or learning@slv.vic.gov.au
Free
Knights, ladies and court jesters
Calling all medieval knights, ladies and court jesters! Write a script and then star in your own medieval movie, inspired by the exhibition The Medieval imagination. Take your film home on DVD to show off. (For ages 7 to 13.)
Time: Mon 31 March–Fri 4 April, 10.30am–4pm daily
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or learning@slv.vic.gov.au
Cost: $40
Really old books!
Enjoy a free, one-hour guided tour of the magnificent exhibition Mirror of the World: books and ideas to see rare and beautiful books from the Middle Ages to today. Following the tour, join in an optional half-hour activity where children can make their own illustrated book.
Time: Mon 31 March–Fri 4 April, 10.30–11.30am
Venue: Meet in front foyer
Bookings: Not required (except for groups; call 03 8664 7279)
Free
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