Collection Strategy 2020–24

When the Library first opened its doors in 1856, there was a collection of 3846 volumes on the shelves. Since then we have collected almost 5.5 million items including books, manuscripts, serials, photographs, artworks, maps and ephemera.

The Library’s collection preserves and shares the voices, ideas, stories and experiences of all Victorians. It is rich, varied and relevant to all, regardless of age, ethnicity or economic circumstances. As custodians of the collection, we are working to ensure it remains relevant and valued now, and for generations to come.

Our Collection Strategy will guide our efforts and impact over the next four years to benefit communities and individuals now and in the future.

Our vision

State Library Victoria is a library for all in a changing world. Victorians value the State Collection as an accessible, trusted source that enables the creation of new knowledge.

Our purpose

We believe that access to information and stories builds knowledge, strengthens community and inspires our future. Our role is to:

• collect the everyday and extraordinary voices stories and experiences of Victorians in a global context
• preserve history and culture, for use today and in the future, and
• share our collection to enable access and discovery.

Our impact

To empower individuals and communities to achieve their own goals, we:

• ignite creativity and curiosity
• facilitate learning
• build cultural and social connections, and
• support equity and inclusion.

Our goals for the State Collection are that it:

• benefits and better represents First Nations people
• is relevant, through a focus on digital-first and diversity
• is discoverable and accessible, and
• is built collaboratively with our communities and partners.

Read the Collection Strategy

You can download the strategy in PDF format, below.