An inside story of rare books

IF you’ve ever wondered what the good folk of Ballarat were reading back in the 1860s, a special event coming up at the Wendouree Library may be for you.

As part of Melbourne Rare Book Week, the Ballarat Libraries group is hosting a special History Chat event to discuss some of the hidden treasures in the Ballarat Libraries’ Rare Book Collection.

Set for 3pm on Tuesday 5 August, the hour-long free afternoon session is offering a great opportunity to delve into the stories of Ballarat’s past.

City of Ballarat acting director community wellbeing, Sharelle Knight said learning services librarian at Ballarat Libraries Mia Peardon will be the speaking at the upcoming event.

It is free to attend and provides the chance to view materials from Ballarat Libraries’ Heritage Collection, including photos and ephemera.

“The collection includes 800 to 1000 items, and due to the age and fragility of the items, they are currently in storage and not accessible to the public,” Ms Knight says.

“The collection will soon undergo a significance assessment funded by a National Library of Australia grant.”

During the upcoming event the 1862 Ballarat Library catalogue will be available to view with the session also a chance for those who attend to share their own stories of any rare books they may have on their own shelves.

The session will also share insights into the conservation work that has been undertaken in the Libraries’ collection.

“The collection dates from the days of the Ballarat Free Library in Ballarat East in the early 1860s,” Ms Knight says.

“Some of the original items were donated to the library from the private collections of early European settlers to Ballarat.

“One of the most significant books is Jacques Labilardiere’s Novae Hollandiae Plantarum Specimen. This was first published in Paris in 1804.”

The 5 August session is part of the wider History Chat series, a monthly program held at Wendouree Library, where people with an interest in local history come together to talk about topics relating to Ballarat’s history.

Bookings are optional. Register to receive a reminder on the Ballarat Libraries’ website.