From rare books to treasure hunts: Library announces summer blockbuster program

From hundreds of rare books, to treasure hunting LEGO^® bricks; from a new lecture series with a twist to a deep dive into Ulysses – State Library Victoria is delighted to announce a summer blockbuster program of events.

Some of the highlight events include:

• State Library Bricktoria: An array of LEGO^®-inspired activities hosted in partnership with The Brickman, the only LEGO^® master in the southern hemisphere. Highlights include watching The Brickman’s team build a two-metre-long LEGO^® brick model of our famous domed Library; taking a treasure hunt through the Library to collect six bespoke LEGO^® brick builds to create a take-home memento; adding bricks to the massive Mystery Mosaics image; an adults-only Bricks & Beats party and the chance to meet The Brickman himself. 10 January – 6 February.
  
  
• Spark: adaptation: Spark is the Library’s new monthly lecture series – with a twist. Hosted by multidisciplinary storyteller and broadcaster Stephanie Kabanyana Kanyandekwe, the first event in the series will explore how our inherent adaptability can help us survive and thrive in life’s patterns of collapse and renewal. Presented in partnership with Future Crunch, this event starts with a panel discussion and ends with lively conversation with the audience. 16 February.
  
  
• Kids Takeover*: The perfect antidote during the summer holidays, this is a full day of activities encouraging little people to get loud and creative as they explore the Library’s spaces. Highlights include papercraft, circus performers, a magician and a scientific installation from Skunk Control. 20 January.
  
  
• Window on Collections: Ulysses: Take a deep dive into James Joyce’s Ulysses – drawing on the author’s innate sense of humour to explore the reasons why so many readers enjoy the exaggerated parody of people, politics, cultural mores and gender. ​The thought-provoking discussion will be hosted by Dr Kevin Molloy, Principal Librarian Victorian and Australian Collections, and guest Dr Frances Devlin-Glass OAM. 24 February.
  
  
• World of the book 2021-22: the rare, the sacred and the iconic: Never-before-seen works dating from c. 2000 BC to today will be on display when more than 300 of Victoria’s rarest books are presented. The free exhibition places Dante, author of The Divine Comedy, centre stage while other notable names include Jane Austen, Margaret Atwood, Shaun Tan and Slyvia Plath. From 27 January.

President of the Library Board of Victoria Christine Christian said she is delighted to present a program of activities that will help bring Melbourne’s CBD to life over summer.

“For 165 years, State Library Victoria has been the centre for knowledge and learning. During the pandemic, we have found new ways to inspire, challenge and support Victorians, delivering more than 400 online programs and content pieces, and launching online initiatives such as a virtual Ask A Librarian service.

“Now that the doors to the Library are open again, we are so excited to welcome Victorians back! And what better way to celebrate than with a ‘Summer blockbuster’ program filled with ways to reconnect with your sense of wonder, creativity and play.

“Whether you’re into literature, rare books, debate, new ideas or want to get creative – we really do have something for everyone. It’s almost all free and it’s all air conditioned in the Library’s stunning new and transformed spaces that were opened just a couple of months before the first lockdown.”

The full list of activities includes:

December:

• Festivities on the Forecourt: a six-metre-tall glistening Christmas tree will be the highlight, until 3 January
• Children's Storytelling Workshop with Ailsa Wild (online), Saturday 4 of December*
• Playdate at the Library: get moving with Happy Feet Fitness for 3-5 year olds, every Wednesday
• Storytime: for pre-schoolers, every Monday

January:

• State Library Bricktoria: Welcome to Country mosaic: add tiles to the artwork 10–16 January; view the finished mosaic, 17 – 30 January
• State Library Bricktoria: Marginalia Mystery Mosaic, 4–6 February 
• State Library Bricktoria: Welcome to Country workshop: an Indigenous art and storytelling workshop for children, 10–11 January
• State Library Bricktoria: Building the dome: watch the live-build 10–23 January; view the model 24 January – 6 February
• Kids' Takeover*, 20 January
• State Library Bricktoria: Treasure hunt, 28–30 January
• State Library Bricktoria: Face-to-face with The Brickman, 29 January
• World of the book 2021-22: the rare, the sacred and the iconic: from 27 January

February:

• State Library Bricktoria: Bricks & beats with The Brickman, 3 February
• Teen writing bootcamps information sessions, 8, 15 & 22 February
• Musical stories: Introducing Teddy: a new collaboration with Orchestra Victoria, 10–12 February
• The 2022 Redmond Barry Lecture: the power of sport with award-winning journalist and documentary filmmaker Angela Pippos, 22 February
• Window on Collections: Ulysses, 24 February
• The Saturday Paper Quiz Night, 25 February
• World of the book 2021-22: the rare, the sacred and the iconic tour: 26 & 28 February, 5 March

For more information go to slv.vic.gov.au

-ENDS-

*This program is supported by Gandel Foundation. Pauline Gandel Children's Quarter, also supported by Gandel Foundation, is a purpose-built space for children and families to read, learn and play, with an associated program of activities.

About State Library Victoria
Established in 1854 as the Melbourne Public Library, State Library Victoria is Australia’s oldest public library and one of the first free libraries in the world. As the custodian of Victoria’s history, each year the library adds more than 70,000 physical and digital items to its rich collection of articles, artworks, photographs, manuscripts, books, journals, artefacts and much more. In 2021, the Library launched a new membership program offering tailored benefits to families, students and culture lovers alongside its flagship free Access membership.