The State Library of Victoria have put out a call out to save all 2018 State Election (24th November) campaign material received over the coming weeks.
By collecting pamphlets, how-to-vote cards and candidate posters relating to the 2018 State Election we can ensure Victoria's political history is illuminated for generations of researchers. Better than just throwing things into the recycling bin!
It's easy to donate - just post items to:
Riley & Ephemera Collection
c/o Victorian & Australian Published Collections
Collection Development & Discovery
State Library of Victoria
328 Swanston Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Quote DX 210089, to post items free of charge.
Donors should include their name and contact details if they would like an acknowledgment of their donation. Unfortunately we can only accept hardcopy donations (not scanned copies, or photographs).
To read more about the Riley & Ephemera Collection, which includes materials relating to grassroots, international, and government campaigns, dating from the 1890s to today, visit: http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/our-collections/what-we-collect/ephemera/political-ephemerahttp://www.slv.vic.gov.au/our-collections/collectors-their-collections/fred-riley
FAQs
They want printed election campaign material: leaflets, how-to-vote cards, letters to constituents, stickers, badges or posters. Basically anything printed to promote a party of candidate, or to lobby on election issues. No items – or issues – is too small.
Original published material, rather than photocopies, scans or digital files
The collection emphasises ephemera published in Victoria, and material relating to Victorian events, people and institutions. This includes Victorian state and local government elections and Victorian seats in federal handbills, as well as protests, activism, social justice and alternative viewpoints in Victoria.
The State Library of Victoria collects a variety of materials relating to:
· activism
· trade unions
· environmental groups
· feminist organisations
· anti-war groups
· student organisations
· anti-poverty groups
· grassroots campaigns and campaigners
· other radical, dissident, advocacy or protest groups
What about ephemera from past elections?
Yes! They are always looking to fill gaps in the collection.
Why does the State Library think it’s important to archive these ‘here today, gone tomorrow’ items?
Ephemera provides an important record of Victorian social life, customs, popular culture and political viewpoints. When ephemeral items are collected and saved, they offer a window into the events, beliefs, and design styles of a point in time. They also document the policies of political parts and politicians over time.
Even though it is produced in vast quantities during a campaign, this material is quickly discarded or recycled.
It is used in many ways by many people, including students, historians, journalists, biographers – and sometimes even politicians themselves.
The Library have published a guide to finding items in the Riley & Ephemera Collection, called Protests, activism & dissent in Victoria: https://guides.slv.vic.gov.au/dissent
