Science & technology
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Great Melbourne telescope, c 1886 -
Victorian patent number 1033 of 1867, John Phillips' invention
Our collection has plenty of material on science and technology that will enlighten and enthral – from astronomy and botany to ornithology, mathematics, paleontology and microsurgery.
We have a large number of works on the history of science, scientific biography, and the impact of science and technology on society and on the planet.
During the 19th and early 20th century, the Library collected most major scientific and technological books and journals. This resulted in extensive historical collections, notably in botany, ornithology, astronomy, patents, trademarks, designs, engineering, motoring journals and motor manuals, and medical pamphlets. Significant early editions (by Darwin, Newton and Galileo, amongst others) are held in the Library’s Rare Books collection, some of which are displayed in the World of the book (formerly Mirror of the world) exhibition.
A wealth of information is contained in historic collections of major journals such as Nature, Science, The Engineer, The Australasian coachbuilder & saddler and liveryman’s journal, Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria, Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London, Autocar and The Auk. These, and many other journals are comprehensively listed in major published indexes, such as Engineering index, Industrial arts index and Australian science index.
Current science is also represented, with many journals and databases available online as well as books by writers such as Carl Sagan, Stephen Hawking, Dian Fossey, Rachel Carson, Stephen J Gould, Richard Dawkins and Paul Davies. A range of contemporary science topics are covered, with works on climatology, renewable energy, conservation, health, biotechnology, astronomy, forensic science, robotics, genetics, communications, food, cooking and computer science.
Whatever your interest - from Australian plants to mathematics, ornithology to physics, astronomy to paleontology, automobiles to microsurgery, chocolates to trains – our collection will enlighten and enthrall.
The collection includes many thousands of current and historic scientific and technical books and journals. It provides an understanding of the main branches and individual disciplines, of science and technology.
During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Library collected most of the published major scientific and technological books and journals. This resulted in extensive historical collections, notably in botany, ornithology, astronomy, patents, engineering, motoring journals and motor manuals, and medical pamphlets.
Significant early editions in the fields of botany, ornithology and astronomy are held in the Library’s Rare Books Collection. Writers include Charles Darwin, Isaac Newton, Galileo Galilei, and Albert Einstein. Selected rare science books are displayed in the Mirror of the World Exhibition.
Collection strengths include the history of science, scientific biography, and the impact of science and technology on society and on the planet.
A wealth of information is contained in historic collections of major journals. Examples are Nature, Science, The Engineer, The Australasian coachbuilder & saddler and liveryman’s journal, Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London, Autocar and The Auk.
The collection also reflects current community interests in a wide range of topics, including climatology, renewable energy, conservation, and medicine and health.
Read the major works of modern science writers, including Carl Sagan, Stephen Hawking, Dian Fossey, Rachel Carson, Stephen J Gould, Richard Dawkins and Paul Davies.
Digital resources are now a major component of the collecting policy. Browse and search the latest information databases and science journals online. Discover new developments in biotechnology, astronomy, forensic science, robotics and Web 3.0, and much more. Many online resources are also accessible offsite, for State Library registered Victorian residents.
The collection is further enhanced via catalogue links to authoritative internet resources. For example, The Complete Works of Charles Darwin Online website.
Discover science and technology today!
Whatever your interest - from Australian plants to mathematics, ornithology to physics, astronomy to paleontology, automobiles to microsurgery, chocolates to trains – our collection will enlighten and enthrall.
The collection includes many thousands of current and historic scientific and technical books and journals. It provides an understanding of the main branches and individual disciplines, of science and technology.
During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Library collected most of the published major scientific and technological books and journals. This resulted in extensive historical collections, notably in botany, ornithology, astronomy, patents, engineering, motoring journals and motor manuals, and medical pamphlets.
Significant early editions in the fields of botany, ornithology and astronomy are held in the Library’s Rare Books Collection. Writers include Charles Darwin, Isaac Newton, Galileo Galilei, and Albert Einstein. Selected rare science books are displayed in the Mirror of the World Exhibition.
Collection strengths include the history of science, scientific biography, and the impact of science and technology on society and on the planet.
A wealth of information is contained in historic collections of major journals. Examples are Nature, Science, The Engineer, The Australasian coachbuilder & saddler and liveryman’s journal, Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London, Autocar and The Auk.
The collection also reflects current community interests in a wide range of topics, including climatology, renewable energy, conservation, and medicine and health.
Read the major works of modern science writers, including Carl Sagan, Stephen Hawking, Dian Fossey, Rachel Carson, Stephen J Gould, Richard Dawkins and Paul Davies.
Digital resources are now a major component of the collecting policy. Browse and search the latest information databases and science journals online. Discover new developments in biotechnology, astronomy, forensic science, robotics and Web 3.0, and much more. Many online resources are also accessible offsite, for State Library registered Victorian residents.
The collection is further enhanced via catalogue links to authoritative internet resources. For example, The Complete Works of Charles Darwin Online website.
Location at the Library
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