March 2008 - Learning

Adult Learning

In addition to the programs listed below, the Library can provide customised learning programs for groups, designed to meet your needs. To find out more, call 03 8664 7554.

New user’s guide to the Library

Learn to become an efficient and independent user of the Library’s services and collections, including the online catalogue.
Time: Sessions available Mon–Fri, 10am–5pm (ring to book)
Venue: Meet in front foyer
Bookings: 03 8664 7554
Free

Introduction to the Newspaper Collection

A practical overview of the resources and services available in the Newspaper Reading Room, including viewing newspapers in hard-copy, online and microfilm formats.
Time: Tues 4 March, 9–10am
Venue: Meet at front entrance, 8.55am
Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or learning@slv.vic.gov.au
Free

Finding families: Researching family history

Just getting into family history? New to the Library’s Genealogy Centre? This two-hour session will get you started. Learn research basics, meet Genealogy staff, answer quiz questions and discover valuable resources – such as Ancestry Library Edition, which contains some 3.5 million names!
Time: Wed 5 March, 10.15am–12.15pm
Venue: Meet in front foyer
Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or learning@slv.vic.gov.au
Free

The history of buildings

Learn how to research the history of your house or a significant Melbourne building using the Library’s extensive architectural collection, including maps, drawings and online tools. Ideal for architecture students, professionals and home owners.
Time: Fri 7 March, 10.30–11.30am
Venue: Meet in front foyer
Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or learning@slv.vic.gov.au
Free

Blogging for beginners

Share your experiences online! A blog (web log) is an online journal on any topic. Discover the basics of blogging and learn to use online applications like Blogger.
Time: Tues 11 March, 11am–12noon
Venue: Meet in front foyer
Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or learning@slv.vic.gov.au
Free

Finding Australian journal articles

The Informit database has hundreds of thousands of articles on Australian subjects, including agriculture, business, education, medicine, law, media and science. Learn search strategies and tips on locating the articles you need.
Time: Thurs 13 March, 2–3pm
Venue: Meet in front foyer
Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or learning@slv.vic.gov.au
Free

Finding information about the law

Discover legislation and law resources in print and electronic formats, and learn to search effectively for legal information.
Time: Fri 14 March, 10.30–11.30am
Venue: Meet in front foyer
Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or learning@slv.vic.gov.au
Free

Programs for Schools

The Education Programs Unit offers tours, workshops and specialised learning activities on weekdays during school terms. See the full program. For bookings and inquiries, call 03 8664 7555 or email education@slv.vic.gov.au.

Buckley! A theatrical performance

Only on Tues 11 & Wed 12 March, 10am–12noon or 11.30am–2pm
Take a journey into Victoria’s history! Presented by Jan ‘Yarn’ Wositzky from The Storyteller’s Guide to the World, Buckley! tells the story of escaped convict William Buckley, who lived with the Wathaurong indigenous people for 32 years and played a part in the establishment of Melbourne. This lively performance brings history to life with music, poetry and storytelling. Includes a one-hour tour of the exhibition The changing face of Victoria.
Years 5-6, 120 minutes, $8 per student

The changing face of Victoria: Exhibition tour for school groups

Students will be guided in the exhibition to develop an understanding of the arrival of white settlers in Victoria, and of the land's earlier inhabitants. They will view Ned Kelly’s original armour and explore stories and personalities that have made Melbourne unique.
All year levels, 1 hour, $4 per student

Mirror of the World: Exhibition tour for school groups

In the exhibition Mirror of the World: books and ideas, students will discover the evolution of printing, book production and design. Highlights include Audubon’s magnificent Birds of America and superb rare books and literary classics from the 13th to the 21st centuries.
All year levels, 1 hour, $4 per student

Library orientation tour

This popular tour is an ideal way for students to engage with the impressive spaces and history of the Library. Highlights include the famous domed La Trobe Reading Room and the superb Cowen Gallery with its display of historic artworks. On a more practical level, the tour will introduce students to the Library’s extensive information resources.
All year levels, 45 minutes, $3 per student

Making the Ned Kelly armour

After viewing Ned Kelly’s original armour in The changing face of Victoria exhibition, students will learn about how and why it was made in this hands-on workshop where they create a replica model in PVC-free foam plastic, using safe heat guns and simple tools. The armour can be taken back to school for display and as a classroom resource.
Years 5–10, 1½ hours, $6 per student

Make your own book

In this inspiring workshop, students will see books of many sizes and formats displayed in the exhibition Mirror of the World: books and ideas, and will discuss the design and construction of books. They will then create their own book in an accordion or pamphlet-stitch style, using templates provided, with encouragement from Library teaching staff to use their imagination and creativity.
Years 5–6, 2 hours, $8 per student

The Hoddle waddle

In this engaging program, students will encounter fascinating historical and cultural sites in Melbourne’s CBD and discover amazing stories. Students will use teamwork skills to navigate the city, find clues and discover locations. They will then present an account of their journey, using Photo Story software and their own photographs. This is an adventurous day of discovery and collaboration.
Years 9–10, 5½ hours, $20 per student (subsidised price for regional Year 9 students through ArtsConnect9).

Research skills intensive

This practical workshop gives senior students the opportunity to consolidate essential research skills. They will be given a guided tour of the Library, learning how to access its collections and services, including registering as a Library user, using the online catalogue, requesting books and using newspaper microfilm readers and information databases.
Years 9–12, 1 hour, $4 per student