Media releases

Famous for being a place to expand your mind and change your life, State Library of Queensland will welcome its new CEO and State Librarian in February 2012.

State Library has built a reputation for successfully re-imagining libraries for the 21st century, and new CEO Ms Janette Wright will build on this tradition.

Announcing her appointment, Library Board of Queensland Chairman Professor Roly Sussex said Ms Wright was ideally qualified to lead State Library. He said she was an experienced library professional with an astute business mind.

“Her previous roles in library management and library supply show her to be a new technology innovator with a strong commitment to the future of libraries to support social change and equity. As director of an Australian online publisher she led the development of new content such as "TV-News", providing on-line access to full video content of Australian broadcast news and current affairs programs under licence for education use. Ms Wright has served at senior levels in the public service and on the council of the National Film and Sound Archive where she convened the Indigenous Materials Collection Committee, working with the archive staff and representatives of Indigenous communities to establish policies for the management of sensitive archival materials." he said.

Arts Minister Rachel Nolan today announced some of the hottest children’s authors will be on hand this summer when the State Library kicks off its annual Summer Reading Club with a newly-expanded national program.

“Due to its enormous success in previous years, the 2011-2012 Summer Reading Club will this year go national, online, giving reading clubbers opportunities to connect with children right across the country, sharing stories and making friends,” Ms Nolan said.

“Children can chat online to bestselling authors Morris Gleitzman, Andy Griffiths and Oliver Phommavanh when the Summer Reading Club opens on 5 December.

“This is a great way to begin the National Year of Reading in 2012 and promote reading as a fun and enjoyable experience."

Run in partnership with the Australian Library and Information Association and Public Libraries Australia, the Summer Reading Club is a free school holiday program with activities designed especially for children up to the age of 16.

Themed The Amazing Read, this year’s Club explores the many different places and spaces to read in, and the incredible discoveries and worlds that stories can take young readers into – from the past to outer-space.

Exciting activities and events for children will be available through more than 1000 public libraries across Australia as well as online through www.summerreadingclub.org.au

Find your local public library.

On Saturday 10 December, Marvin the Murri Minstrel, Mzzz Klauz and her crew will sing, rhyme and dance for the State Library’s annual Murri Christmas.

Children and families are invited to dress their best, sing and dance along and get their own free photo taken with Mzzz Klauz.

Murri Claus has made some impressive entrances in past years and this year Mzzz Klauz will not be outdone by her grandfather with her own surprise glamorous entrance.

Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy the merriment at this unique, free festive event.

Visit www.slq.qld.gov.au/whats-on for more information.

Arts Minister Rachel Nolan today invited Queenslanders to contribute their own photos from the state's 2010-2011 summer disasters to a special State Library of Queensland project.

"The Flood & Cyclone Mosaic project has been developed so that those affected by the recent floods and cyclones can share their experiences, including the recovery process, with all Queenslanders," Ms Nolan said.

"All photos submitted will be part of the Mosaic, an interactive feature wall that will be on display as part of a major exhibition, Floodlines, in 2012 at the State Library.

"The mosaic will also be accessible online, creating a visual record of events that can be shared with current and future generations, as a way of healing, remembering, understanding and learning."

Fifty-four libraries across nine disaster-affected Queensland regional council areas have signed up to help collect photos from their areas.

Queenslanders outside these areas can also contribute through uploading up to five photos at www.mosaic.slq.qld.gov.au.

State Library Acting CEO, Helen Brodie said children and adults alike will be delighted and inspired by Look! the art of Australian picture books today, opening on 3 December.

“Created by the State Library of Victoria, Look! is a travelling exhibition which features original artworks, sketches and drawings by more than 40 of Queensland and Australia’s most talented illustrators. Children will recognise artworks from their favourite books by illustrators including Stella Danalis, Gregory Rogers; Shaun Tan; Graeme Base; Bob Graham; Leigh Hobbs and Terry Denton,” Ms Brodie said.
“Opening in time for the summer holidays, and offering a range of free and affordable activities for all ages, Look! is sure to be a popular family destination. Children will be drawn in by the enchanting nature of the exhibition and will be able to create their very own illustrations at virtual book stations in slq gallery and The Corner. Adults, who may not have been exposed to picture books since childhood, can re-discover their magic, and marvel at the skill and sophistication of the artwork,” she said
The exhibition displays sketches, drafts, mock-ups, finished artwork and publications as well as multimedia presentations and augmented reality to demonstrate the various stages of developing contemporary Australian picture books.

State Library of Victoria curator Mike Shuttleworth says Look! gives people a chance to see artwork from their favourite stories up close and explore the process of visual storytelling.

"The exquisite images tell many stories, sharing glimpses into the beautiful, hilarious, adventurous and sometimes scary worlds of childhood. They help children to understand their world and give imaginations fuel to dream,” Mr Shuttleworth said.

On Saturday 3 December, families can celebrate the launch of Look! with a free family fun day.

From 10am to 3pm, children and families can dive into their imaginations with craft activities, musical workshops, free films, illustration stations, storytelling and more.

Look! is supported by Visions of Australia, an Australian Government program supporting touring exhibitions by providing funding assistance for the development and touring of Australian cultural material across Australia.

British artist Stephen Wiltshire will sketch his impression of Brisbane at State Library of Queensland later this month as part of TEDxBrisbane.

Stephen has gained worldwide acclaim for his large scale and highly detailed cityscapes, which he draws predominantly from memory, often after only viewing the
city briefly.

Stephen will fly over Brisbane city in a helicopter on Friday 25 November, before he spends the next four days committing his view of Brisbane to a large canvas, while
visitors watch.

State Library Acting CEO Helen Brodie said she was delighted Queenslanders would get to experience Stephen’s artistry up close.

“While he is working on his piece, we encourage people to visit State Library to view Stephen as he works over four days, from Saturday 26 to Tuesday 29 November,”
Ms Brodie said.

“Stephen has created detailed drawings of many of the world’s great cities including New York, Tokyo, Venice, London and Sydney. We are proud to have him in another great city – Brisbane.”
Stephen is hosted in Brisbane by Arowana Partners Group and managing partner, Kevin Chin, who has commissioned the panorama of Brisbane.

His visit is an encore to TEDxBrisbane 2011, held at State Library on 15 October.

“We thank Kevin and the TEDxBrisbane team for their generosity in allowing the finished piece to be displayed at State Library so it may be enjoyed by the Brisbane
community and visitors alike,” Ms Brodie said.

The visit was originally scheduled for early October, and was postponed so Stephen could undergo a small and successful operation.

State Library is getting political this summer, showcasing the history of persuasion with the Cane Toad Times exhibition and Queensland Votes display.

Both Cane Toad Times, a satirical magazine of the 1970s and ‘80s, and Queensland Votes, a collection of various political parties’ election memorabilia dating back to the 1920s, explore the art of persuasion in very different ways.

The Politics & persuasion at slq program also includes curators’ tours, a new journalism program at The Edge and other events.

Visit www.slq.qld.gov.au/whats-on to find out more.

Flash Women will be celebrated at State Library of Queensland with a new exhibition showcasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander style.

State Library Acting CEO Helen Brodie said from 1 November, visitors could view an eclectic, vibrant and stylish collection of favourite fashions worn by inspirational Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.

“Flash Women profiles a diverse range of women, from respected community elders such as author, activist and educator Aunty Ruth Hegarty, to talented young Torres Strait Islander fashion designer Grace Lee and founder of the Little Black Dress Empire, entrepreneur Juliette Knox. Through their stories, common themes emerge: a demonstration of cultural pride through fashion, and strong deliberate links to country and culture,” Ms Brodie said.

Arts Minister Rachel Nolan today announced the State Library of Queensland’s book collection has been boosted by almost 20 per cent with about 100,000 non-fiction eBooks now available online for free.

Ms Nolan said reading eBooks instead of traditional print books is a growing trend and the State Library is committed to staying abreast of advancements in the industry.

Find out to access the State Library of Queensland's e-books.

Daniel Foskey has been presented with the prestigious State Library of Queensland Young Writers Award 2011 and $2,000 for his short story Freedom Mangoes.

Daniel, a 25 year-old Brisbane resident, accepted the award at the Queensland Premier’s Literary Awards ceremony, held last night at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre.

The Award, now in its sixteenth year, is a great boost for emerging writers, providing invaluable industry exposure and professional opportunities.

This year the competition received a record number of entries from young Queenslanders across the state. Judges Sue Gough, Jane O’Hara, Rosanne Fitzgibbon, Alasdair Duncan and Nathanael Cooper were impressed with the high standard of entries, and Daniel’s story stood out with its winning combination of heart and ironic wit.

The 2011 Young Writers Award recipient of the Maureen Donahoe Encouragement Award of $500 was Deanna Antoniolli from Graceville, for her story Rips which captures a pivotal moment in the life of a family.

The authors of the highly-commended entries, each of whom receives membership and workshops with the Queensland Writers Centre and Brisbane Writers Festival, were:

The winning stories can be read at www.slq.qld.gov.au/youngwriters