State Library and Archives of Tasmania

Ephemera can be loosely defined as the detritus of the everyday – items that are created without any intention of lasting beyond the present. The State Library and Archives of Tasmania actively collect ephemera, in an attempt to preserve it. We have a huge number of boxes of printed ephemera documenting sports teams, bumper stickers, menus, elections, advertising and more.

Today we are sharing some images from an early 1980s catalogue from a store that was in the Cat and Fiddle Arcade called ‘Venture’. Enjoy this blast from the past – and keep an eye out for all kinds of treasure at the State Library and Archives of Tasmania.

Employment opportunity: Events Coordinator – State Library and Archives of Tasmania

The Events Coordinator will plan, direct, coordinate and deliver a contemporary and inclusive events program for the State Library and Archives of Tasmania, connecting visitors with Tasmania's stories, identity and history.

Applications are open now until 11:55 pm on Sunday 24 November 2024.

Find out more and apply online: https://bit.ly/3UAxLKf

We are excited to announce a new collection of posters highlighting Hobart underground music culture from the 90s to 2000s, donated to the Library by Julian Teakle. The (predominantly handmade) posters celebrate the DIY nature of the scene and provide an amazing picture of the time.

Thanks to Julian for thinking of us – contributions like this really help us to preserve the heritage of the State. Do get in touch if you have any interesting items that may have a place in our collections.

Join Emeritus Professor of History, Stefan Petrow, as he talks about his new book on the lives of World War One soldiers and their families.

Thursday 7 November 2024
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Allport Library and Museum of Fine Arts, and online as a live webinar.
Book your seat, or access the webinar link: https://bit.ly/3BYK24N

Much has been written about the Anzac experience in World War One, but the unique contribution of Tasmanian soldiers has been largely overlooked in standard military histories. 'Tasmanian Anzacs' expands our understanding of the Great War by drawing on previously unexamined private letters, diaries and thousands of service records of Tasmanian soldiers who served in the 12th and 52nd Battalions of the Australian Imperial Force and their brothers and sisters who enlisted in other units. Also given prominence are the families who supported their loved ones with parcels and messages from home to help them cope with the horrors of many critical battles at Gallipoli and the Western Front.

Recounting acts of great courage, physical and mental hardships, capture by the enemy and death on the battlefield, 'Tasmanian Anzacs' commemorates the varied experience of Tasmanian soldiers and the pain their grieving families endured in this richly detailed history of war’s human impact.

Stefan Petrow is an Emeritus Professor of History at the University of Tasmania and has been acclaimed for his research on many aspects of Tasmanian history.

The next talk in the Friends of the Allport (FOTA) series is happening soon: Waifs and Strays by Marian Jameson and Kate Vermey.

Thursday 31 October 2024
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Allport Library and Museum of Fine Arts, and online as a live webinar.
Book your seat, or access the webinar link: https://bit.ly/3UleTig

Join Marian and Kate for an intriguing exploration of the experiences of lesser-known members of the Allport family. Discover what happened to the grandchildren of Mary Morton and Joseph Allport – Russell Allport, Evett Gordon Allport, John Roberts “Jack” Allport and Annie Sybil “Sybil” Allport – as they forged their own way in life.

Image: Allport Library and Museum of Fine Arts, State Library of Tasmania: Portrait of young woman with blue head-band and dress, holding shawl / C.L. Allport. [Place of production not identified] : C.L. Allport, [between 1880 and 1949], Acc No. HA447 https://bit.ly/3UpfDTD

This year's National Family History Month talks are now available to stream online!

Delve into the history of the Huon Valley apple industry, Tasmania's convict past, the people connected to the old psychiatric hospital in New Norfolk, and so much more.

Watch on YouTube: https://bit.ly/4h6tg3U
Listen on SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/3Y6QcHv

📷: Tasmanian Archives: Photograph – Hop Industry – Hop-pickers in hop fields (1900-20), NS392/1/100 https://bit.ly/3zR4bJH

'From Humble to Huge', a new free exhibition at the Allport Library and Museum of Fine Arts is now showing until late February 2025: https://bit.ly/3UetqfH

Contemporary Tasmanian painter and visual artist Wayne Brookes explores ornament and interiors through intricate paintings in acrylics. From the humble objects in his own home, to the decorative displays of historic houses, Wayne Brookes explores the essence of taste.

“I am fundamentally a portraitist. We surround ourselves with the objects we choose to decorate and enhance our lives and our space… An individual’s portrait is… not your face, it’s not your body, it’s not even physical – it is your taste.” – Wayne Brookes

📅 14 October 2024 to 28 February 2025
📍 Allport Library and Museum of Fine Arts, Ground Floor, 91 Murray Street, Hobart
🎟️ Free entry, no bookings required.

Today we’re sharing a fascinating addition to our collection that has been passed to us by our friends at South Hobart Tip Shop. The image is of the Organ Pipes on kunanyi, illuminated by search lights, with what appears to be some fireworks in the foreground. We are currently having a look into the background of this picture – word is that it may be tied to a celebration of the Melbourne Olympics in 1956. Do let us know if you have any more information!

The Minister for Education, the Hon Jo Palmer, officially opened the new Ground Floor of the State Library and Archives Building in Nipaluna/Hobart this morning.

Visit the space to enjoy the beautiful artwork, ‘Tunapri/Knowledge’, embedded in the floor by First Nations artist Caleb Nichols-Mansell, a proud Tasmanian Aboriginal man with deep connections to country, community, culture and spirit. The space also includes a big screen to showcase Tasmanian stories and original heritage features such as the stairwell, clock and timber detailing.

Move through the space to a new entrance and display area for the Allport Library and Museum of Fine Arts, which has reopened to visitors.

Journey through the building to Hobart Library on Level 1 and the State Library and Archives of Tasmania on Level 2.

Today is the big reveal!

We’re excited to welcome you to the new Ground Floor of the State Library and Archives Building in Nipaluna/Hobart.

The doors of 91 Murray Street will open at 9:30 am.

The State Library and Archives of Tasmania is the largest and most diverse library in Tasmania. It’s where you can connect with Tasmania’s documented heritage – our stories, identity and culture.

Meet friends, read, relax and study in the Ground Floor space and watch Tasmanian stories brought to life on the big screen.

Enjoy the beautiful artwork, called ‘Tunapri/Knowledge’, embedded in the floor by First Nations artist Caleb Nichols-Mansell, a proud Tasmanian Aboriginal man with deep connections to country, community, culture and spirit.

Journey through the building to Hobart Library on Level 1 and the State Library and Archives of Tasmania on Level 2.

The building car park is now open.

Visit the State Library and Archives Building as part of Open House Hobart!

On Saturday 9 November 2024, join a 45-minute tour at 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm or 1:00 pm. Bookings are essential: https://bit.ly/3QdeYBU

The façade of the building is the earliest example of a Modernist glass curtain wall in Hobart, with sleek mid-century details throughout. The first major concrete frame and curtain wall building in Hobart, the library is a four-level ‘shoe-box’ placed off the major street grid on pilotis. There is a recessed ground floor entrance foyer although most of this level remains open for car-parking.

Next door, the striking Brutalist Stack building houses the state archives and provides access to one of the best vantage points in the city.

Come and explore the Allport Library and Museum of Fine Arts which features nationally significant Tasmanian colonial art, books, objects and furniture.

Architect: Public Works Department / John F. D. Scarborough and Associates (1960, 1972), LIMINAL Studio (2024)

Get ready for the big reveal!

Ground Floor building works are nearly finished at the State Library and Archives Building in Nipaluna/Hobart.

Explore the lovely contemporary space from Monday 14 October 2024.

The doors will open at 91 Murray Street at 9:30 am.

The building car park will also open on Monday 14 October.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Are you trying to solve a family history mystery? Or starting to research your family and not sure where to begin?

Meet with an experienced volunteer on Monday 14 October, in celebration of Seniors Week. 15-minute bookings are available from 9:45 am to 4:00 pm.

During your one-to-one session, a volunteer will:
- introduce you to Libraries Tasmania resources available onsite and online.
- answer your family history research questions and give tailored advice.
- prepare you for future research.

Make a booking using phone or email:
- (03) 6165 5538
- [email protected]

📷 Tasmanian Archives: Photograph - Family group - parents, small boy and baby by Albert Archer Rollings (1896), NS1553/1/734 https://bit.ly/47XsJgr

Applications are closing soon for five State Library and Archives of Tasmania Fellowships in 2025. This expanded program builds on the success of the inaugural research and creative fellowships in 2024.

Find out more and apply online by 5:00 pm on 4 October 2024: https://bit.ly/3DcYtjb

Dr Margaret Woodward is the recipient of the 2024 State Library of Tasmania Creative Fellowship.

Dr Woodward has held artists residencies across the United States and in Tasmania, has exhibited through-out Australia and internationally and has published prolifically since 2015. Her creative works have been inspired by archive research in libraries and collections around the world.

Her proposal centres around an 1868 artefact, Tasman’s Peninsula – Semaphore Code Dictionary CON133/1/1, held in the State Archives of the State Library. The dictionary functions as a detailed material and social catalogue of the colony of Van Diemans Land. Dr Woodward will revisit this artefact and write a contemporary code book for present day Lutruwita/Tasmania.

Dr Margaret Woodward, 2024 State Library of Tasmania Creative Fellowship recipient Dr Margaret Woodward is the recipient of the 2024 State Library of Tasmania Creative Fellowship.Dr Woodward has held artists residencies across the United St...

Applications are closing soon for five State Library and Archives of Tasmania Fellowships in 2025. This expanded program builds on the success of the inaugural research and creative fellowships in 2024.

Find out more and apply online by 5:00 pm on 4 October 2024: https://bit.ly/3DcYtjb

Dr Richard Tuffin is the recipient of the 2024 State Library of Tasmania Research Fellowship.

His research proposal detailed using his extensive experience to add to existing knowledge of the settlement of Van Diemens Land by using GIS (Geographical Information Systems) to show how the location of the convict probation stations facilitated European expansion.

The output from his studies will be used to enhance the information we can provide on the locations for all the female convicts and 10,000 male convicts in the State Library of Tasmania names index.

Dr Richard Tuffin, 2024 State Library of Tasmania Research Fellowship recipient Dr Richard Tuffin is the recipient of the 2024 State Library of Tasmania Research Fellowship.His research proposal detailed using his extensive experience to...