The State Library of Victoria has unveiled a new facility near Ballarat that opens up an additional 30 kilometres' worth of storage space.
That is in addition to the 50km of space already at the Mt Helen site, where items such as photographs, maps, architectural drawings and artworks are housed across three levels.
"There's very little that I can think of that we don't hold in the collection," Collections Access head Vanessa Ross said.
"Many people think that libraries are just books.
"Some libraries are — we're not."
History for the future
The site's first storage repository was built in late 2005 and allowed for 10 years' worth of items to be housed.
The second has been designed to accommodate another 10 years of collection growth.
Some of the more interesting items in the collection include the first desk belonging to David Syme, the former owner of The Age newspaper.
There is also an enormous early Coles Myer tea and coffee machine, and an 1860s dressing gown belonging to Melbourne pioneer John Pascoe Fawkner.
"It's one of many items that were owned, worn, loved by significant Victorians that make their way into our collection," Ms Ross said.
Store in a cool, dry place
The Mt Helen facility is kept to strict climate-controlled conditions.
Its large book storeroom is kept to 21 degrees and 50 per cent relative humidity.
"As well as the quality of the air, temperature, humidity, light control, anything the collection comes into contact with, wherever possible, [has to be] inert," Ms Ross said.
A team of senior librarians assess prospective collection items to determine their significance to the state.
"As much as we would love to accept every single thing that is offered to us, clearly we have to prioritise what we accept and bring into the collection," she said.
"Once it's in the collection, we have to store that and provide access forever."
