State Library Tasmanian Archives Allport Museum

Applications are now open for five State Library and Archives of Tasmania Fellowships, including one Creative Fellowship valued at $10,000.

The Creative Fellowship supports artists in creating new works that engage with, respond to, and interpret the State Library and Archives of Tasmania collections. We invite applications from artists working in any medium, whether physical, digital, visual, or aural, to develop and showcase their work through exhibitions or performances at the State Library.

Applications for all Fellowships close at 5:00 pm on Friday 4 October 2024. Find out more: https://bit.ly/3DcYtjb

📷 Tasmanian Archives: Photograph - Tasma - Artists in Photography - shopfront (1897), NS2906/1/6 https://bit.ly/4ek9pfu

Are you interested in contributing to the planning and development of Tasmania’s library and archive services?

Expressions of interest are being called for members of the Tasmanian Library Advisory Board (TLAB) for a three-year term. The term of appointment is 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2027.

TLAB is established under the Libraries Act 1984 to provide the Minister for Education with objective, community-based advice on issues concerning the delivery of library services in Tasmania. TLAB’s interest extends to lifelong learning, adult literacy and the State’s archival and heritage collections and services. TLAB membership reflects the interests of library users and covers a mix of urban, rural and local government representation.

Expressions of interest should be submitted by Monday, 7 October 2024. Find out more: https://bit.ly/3ZmRq3E

Applications are now open for five State Library and Archives of Tasmania Fellowships, including one Research Fellowship valued at $10,000.

The Research Fellowship supports historical research, encourages engagement with technology and innovation, promotes the continued relevance of the State Library and Archives of Tasmania and encourages public awareness and interaction with its collections.

The State Library and Archives of Tasmania team supports hundreds of researchers each year in seeking new understanding from examination of government and community records, images, publications, and manuscripts, dating from the early 1800s to the present day. This Fellowship recognises the value of this work in providing greater context for Tasmania’s past and present and encouraging further scholarly enquiry.

Applications for all Fellowships close at 5:00 pm on Friday 4 October 2024. Find out more: https://bit.ly/3DcYtjb

🖼️ Allport Library and Museum of Fine Arts, State Library of Tasmania: Thylacinus cynocephalus Helmut Diller. [s.l.] : [WWF-Canon?] [Between 1960 and 1975], Acc No. FA1114. https://bit.ly/4dVD9j2

Applications are now open for five State Library and Archives of Tasmania Fellowships in 2025.

Building on the success of the inaugural research and creative fellowships in 2024, the State Library and Archives of Tasmania are pleased to announce an expanded program for 2025:

- One Research Fellowship valued at $10,000.
- One Creative Fellowship valued at $10,000.
- One Aboriginal Fellowship valued at $10,000.
- Two Writing Fellowships each valued at $5,000.

Applications for all Fellowships open on Friday 6 September, and close at 5:00 pm on Friday 4 October 2024.

Academics, researchers, independent scholars, writers, artists, film makers, digital innovators and creatives are encouraged to apply.

Find out more: https://bit.ly/3DcYtjb

'Disrupt, persist, invent: Australians in an ever-changing world’ is a free exhibition coming soon to the State Library of Tasmania. This powerful exhibition uncovers fascinating, empowering and emotional stories of change. Learn more and plan your visit: https://bit.ly/4dQ7Fuq

📅 6 September 2024 to 27 January 2025
📍 State Library of Tasmania, Level 2, 91 Murray Street Hobart
🎟️ Free entry, no bookings required.

National Archives of Australia

State Library and Tasmanian Archives Librarian Jessica Walters recently joined Allison Tyra to talk about Tasmania's convict women on the Infinite Women podcast.

🎧 Listen to their discussion here: https://bit.ly/474uZ56

The episode discusses why female convicts were transported to Tasmania, and the realities of their daily lives after arrival. Read more of Jessica's research in her State Library and Tasmanian Archives Blog series, Filtered Through the Factory: https://bit.ly/3AJs31T

📷 Tasmanian Archives: Photograph - Female Factory, Cascades from the East, NS1013/1/48

August is National Family History Month!

This week, join Kate Vermey to explore the lives of the five Huston sisters of New Norfolk. Experience their loves, losses, scandals, jealousies, betrayals and joys as we weave our way through the lives of these rather remarkable women.

Kate Vermey is a member of the State Libraries and Archives team and has conducted in depth research into members of the Allport family and their “off shoots”.

Watch this talk in person or online at 1:00 pm on Thursday 29 August. Visit Eventbrite to book your seat or access the webinar link.

NFHM: A story of the five Huston sisters of New Norfolk with Kate Vermey ...You know the Allports, but do you know their "off shoots" the Huston Family of New Norfolk?

Stage 2 works have now started on the Ground Floor of the State Library and Archives Building at 91 Murray Street, Hobart.

During this time, entry to the State Library of Tasmania and Tasmanian Archives is on Bathurst Street. Follow the signs to this temporary entrance and the lift.

Due to the works, there may be times when only the stairs are available.

The building carpark is closed. Free one hour parking is available across the road at Hobart Central Car Park at 60 Melville Street, Hobart.

Work will be completed in Spring 2024. Thank you for your patience while we make these exciting changes to the building.

You can read more about the Ground Floor redevelopment here: https://bit.ly/4chZMg0

The National edeposit service (NED) turns five today! NED is an innovative collaboration between libraries in Australia that collects our digital heritage, including picture books, cookbooks, novels, musical scores, annual reports, maps, plans and more.

Search the catalogue to find Libraries Tasmania items in the NED collection: https://bit.ly/3WQjJEU

August is National Family History Month! Coming up this week:

Wednesday 14 August, 1:00 pm
Finding the Forgotten
Author and researcher Lyell Wilson shares how he creates biographies of the people connected to the old psychiatric hospital at New Norfolk.
👉 Book your seat or access the webinar link: https://bit.ly/3WGPqAh

Thursday 15 August, 1:00 pm
Unshackled – The Convict Memorial at the Hobart Penitentiary
Scott Carlin discusses the digital history experience that allows visitors to trace the lives of 75,000 convicts transported to Tasmania.
👉 Book your seat or access the webinar link: https://bit.ly/3LZnkvk



📸 Tasmanian Archives: NS392/1/795
📸 Tasmanian Archives: AB713/1/6256
📸 Tasmanian Archives: AB713/1/7989 and Roar film

August is National Family History Month! Coming up this week:

Tuesday 6 August, 1 pm
Down the Huon: history of the Tasmanian apple farmer with National Archives of Australia archivist, Nicholas Hams
👉 Book your ticket or watch the webinar live: https://bit.ly/4dw1Mly

Wednesday 7 August, 10 am
Tasmanian Archives Repository: guided tour with Tasmanian Archives and Special Collections archivist, Nicki Ottavi
👉 Bookings essential. Phone (03) 6165 5538 to book.

Thursday 8 August 1 pm
Semaphore-Score: re-composing a contemporary code language for Lutruwita/Tasmania with State Library of Tasmania Creative Fellowship recipient, Dr Margaret Woodward
👉 Book your ticket or watch the webinar live: https://bit.ly/3AdD4bu



📸 Tasmanian Archives: NS392/1/14 Photograph - Apple Industry - Apple pickers probably on H. Jones & Co orchard

*** UPDATE ***
Stage 2 works will soon begin on the Ground Floor redevelopment at 91 Murray Street, Hobart. This is now expected to start from Monday 19 August.

During this time, entry to the State Library of Tasmania and Tasmanian Archives will move to Bathurst Street while works continue. Signs will direct you to this temporary entrance.

The Ground Floor is a gateway to the building’s cultural institutions and a contemporary space for public use. The updated space will be an accessible and contemporary place for public use with improved areas for reading, studying and socialising.

Work will be completed in Spring 2024.

You can read more here: https://bit.ly/4chZMg0

August is National Family History Month! 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
Our month of events begins on Thursday at 1pm with Caitlin Sutton presenting on the life of Tasmanian artist Ada Francis Butler.

Book on Eventbrite to save your seat, or to access the webinar link: https://bit.ly/3yn7kzX

Are you an aspiring or emerging leader in the Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums (GLAM) sector? The State Library and Archive Trust invites you to apply for funding to attend the Aurora Leadership Program in Sydney from 17-22 November 2024.

Find out more about the program and funding application process: https://bit.ly/3WrBOst

Chloe House and Amberlei Darlington Beresford from the State Library of Tasmania and Tasmanian Archives chatted with ABC Hobart about National Family History Month happening in August. Hear about the event program and some of the resources you can use to research your ancestors (from anywhere in the world!)

🎧 Start listening from the 2 minute mark: https://ab.co/4d3MlRK

Explore your past during National Family History Month, with free talks, webinars and events.

Find out more: https://libraries.tas.gov.au/national-family-history-month/
View the program of events and book now: https://bit.ly/4d7DWgs

📷: Tasmanian Archives: Photograph – Hop Industry – Hop-pickers in hop fields (1900-20), NS392/1/100

* Update *
Tuesday 30 July

The lift is now working at the State Library and Archives Building at 91 Murray Street, Hobart.

📷 State Library of Tasmania: Royla Arctic Theatre : H.M.S. Resolute : Capt. H. Kellett C.B. ... Taming the Shrew ... The Two Bonnycastles. https://bit.ly/3Yl5nie
📷 State Library of Tasmania: Bull-Bluff. McDougall, George F. (George Frederick), artist. https://bit.ly/4bUjIoU

Some recent acquisitions give fascinating insight into historical Arctic exploration. Both are linked to the H.M.S Resolute, under the command of Captain Henry Kellett, which was one of the ships sent to the Arctic to search for Sir John Franklin and the missing crews of the Erebus and Terror.

During the winter of 1853 the ship was locked in the ice for a second winter. In such a situation it must have been a huge challenge to maintain morale. On this voyage the ship was lucky enough to be equipped with a printing press. The primary function of this press was to print messages on silk and paper that were to be sent out by unmanned hot air balloon. However, in this case the crew used the press to create a playbill for their performance of the Shakespearean comedy ‘Taming the Shrew’ and the ‘The Two Bonnycastles’, a one act farce. The second item is a small watercolour by George Frederick McDougall, who served as master on the Resolute. The painting illustrates sledge teams from the ship navigating the frozen landscape – with the assistance of sails, which would have provided welcome relief to those pulling the sledge.

Each item gives insight into the daily lives of the crew as they searched for Franklin and experienced considerable hardship themselves.

Explore your family's past this August during National Family History Month.

Enjoy a full program of free events across the state, including:
* advice on where to start your research journey
* fascinating histories of famous Tasmanians
* tours of the Tasmanian Archives Repository at Geilston Bay.

Find out more: https://libraries.tas.gov.au/national-family-history-month

View the program of events and book now: https://bit.ly/3xRbdNg

📷 : Tasmanian Archives: Photograph – Hop Industry – Hop-pickers in hop fields (1900-20), NS392/1/100

Have you ever wondered what it's like to be inside an archive of Tasmanian history? Here's your chance to find out!

Come and take a tour of the Tasmanian Archives at Geilston Bay, Hobart with Karin Haveman, Libraries Tasmania's Manager of Tasmanian Archives and Special Collections.

Karin walks ABC Storytelling Scholar Dan Jacob through more than 23 kilometres of Tasmania's history.

🎧 Start listening at 46:50 👉 https://ab.co/3VI9x0J

Pair this story with a short video tour of the building: https://bit.ly/3VGSw6V

ABC listen

Good news! The lift at the State Library and Archives Building is working again.

UPCOMING CLOSURE: The State Library of Tasmania and Tasmanian Archives will be closed on Monday 10 June for the public holiday.

Remember, you can visit the Libraries Tasmania website anytime, anywhere to access resources: https://bit.ly/46tnjre

The Allport Library and Museum of Fine Arts remains closed while we upgrade the foyer at 91 Murray Street, Hobart.

📰 The date 4 June 1824 is a significant moment in Tasmanian and Australian history: Andrew Bent published a newspaper, The Hobart Town Gazette. It was the first 'free' newspaper in the colonies that was published without approval from the Government censor.

Bent would later go to court for publishing the ‘free’ newspaper. This event signalled the beginning of the free press in Australia.

Bent's legacy endures through his publication of numerous works, including the first work of general literature in Australia as well as a collection of essays.

Read more about Andrew Bent on the Libraries Tasmania website: https://libraries.tas.gov.au/news/andrew-bent-and-the-free-press



📷: Front page of Hobart Town Gazette and VDL Advertiser on 4 June, 1824. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/123365

📷: Image from The hermit in Van Diemen’s Land : from the Colonial times. The man seated at the table is thought to be Andrew Bent. http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-115925908

REMINDER: Work starts today on revitalising the Ground Floor of the State Library and Archives Building at 91 Murray Street, Hobart.

Please use the lift to access our services just for today, Wednesday 8 May. Stair access will resume tomorrow.

* Hobart Library and the State Library of Tasmania and Tasmanian Archives Reading Room will remain open.

* Children's art activities are now available in Hobart Library. Please ask at the front desk if you need materials.

* The Allport Library and Museum of Fine Arts is closed during the work.

* The building carpark is closed.

Work is expected to be completed by Spring 2024. Keep updated on the redevelopment here: https://bit.ly/3y7lQLC

Thank you for your understanding while we make these exciting changes.

Do you own a piece of Tasmanian fashion history?

The Tasmanian Bluey, a heavy woollen coat with a blue tinge, was the clothing item of choice for many trades as well as for leisure activities more than 100 years ago.

Libraries Tasmania Archivist Ali Marchant shares the iconic coat's history with Lucie Cutting on ABC Radio Hobart.


ABC Hobart

Move over Tassie tuxedo, the original must have was a Tasmanian bluey - ABC listen If you dial back the clock a few decades in Tasmania, it's likely the key fashion item you'll come across most is the Tasmanian bluey. The heavy woollen coat once came in three lengths and was the clothing item of choice for many trades.

Allport will be closed from Wednesday 8th May, until the completion of the building works at 91 Murray Street.
Keep an eye on our socials for our re-opening date.
We apologise for any inconvenience.

The Supreme Court of Tasmania is celebrating its 200 year anniversary. In honour of this, the State Library of Tasmania is holding free behind-the-scenes tours at 91 Murray Street, Hobart to view original and iconic Supreme Court documents held in its collection.

Three tours will be held on Friday 10 May 2024. Find out more details: https://bit.ly/3Qvd7JL

To reserve your spot, call 6165 5584.

Libraries Tasmania is revitalising the Ground Floor of the State Library and Archives Building at 91 Murray Street, Hobart.

Work will start on Wednesday 8 May and is expected to be completed by Spring 2024.

Our services will remain open and we'll keep you updated on our website and social media.

The building carpark is closed. The Allport Library and Museum of Fine Arts will also close while the work is in progress.

Read more about the redevelopment: https://bit.ly/3y7lQLC

The State Library, Tasmanian Archives, and Allport Library and Museum of Fine Arts will be closed on Thursday 25 April for the Anzac Day public holiday.

Remember, you can visit the Libraries Tasmania website anytime, anywhere to enjoy a wide range of online resources, including books, newspapers, audiobooks, movies, magazines and more: https://bit.ly/43ocLJl