Library Resources

Victorian Mental Health Photograph Collection

The Royal Melbourne Hospital Health Sciences Library, incorporating the Victorian Mental Health Library, holds the photograph collection entitled the ‘Mental Health Photograph Collection’ on behalf of the State of Victoria, acting through the Department of Health & Human Services Mental Health Branch.

The photograph collection previously available at Royal Park Psychiatric Hospital Library contains around 3,000 items. These date from the mid 1800s to 2002, with most pictures taken in the 1960s.

They depict special events with key political or mental health figures, or feature promotional shots of everyday life in Victorian mental health institutions. People, furnishings, equipment, activities and buildings are shown.

Please note:

Formats range from negatives, glass and photographic slides, to colour or black and white prints. There are also a small number of site plans and sketches. Sizes vary from 3 cm to poster.
The collection DOES NOT contain any records relating to the operations, patients or staff of the various mental health asylums.
The Health Sciences Library do not have the Copyright to all of the photographs in the collection, we may need to contact the Department of Health & Human Services Mental Health Branch for permission to use.
Permission may only be granted for NON-COMMERICAL USE.

Some of the institutions represented include:

Aradale Hospital Ararat Hospital for the Insane
Ballarat Mental Hospital
Beechworth Mental Hospital/Asylum
Box Hill Occupation Clinic
Carlton Lunatic Asylum
Heatherton Sanatorium
Hobson Park Hospital
Janefield Colony
Karlyn Kinkora Hostel
Kew Asylum / Kew Cottages
Lara Sanatorium for Inebriates
Larundel Mental Hospital
Mont Park Montdoora Mental Colony
Royal Park Psychiatric Hospital
Sunbury Asylum/Mental Hospital/Training Centre
Traralgon Mental Hospital
Travancore Clinic
Trelowarren Rehabilitation Base
Willsmere Hospital Yarra Bend Lunatic Asylum

To make a request to view photographs from the collection please contact the library.

Library Meeting Room & Computer Labs

Meeting Room

This is a multi-purpose space suitable for training, meetings and presentations.

Seating for up to 20 People
Smartboard (you can connect your laptop or ours)
Wi-Fi and network access available
Whiteboard (available on request)

Computer Lab 1

This is a multi-purpose space suitable for computer training and presentations.

Seating for up to 12 people at computers, plus 1 instructor
Smartboard (connected to the instructors PC, or bring your own laptop)
Wi-Fi and network access available
Whiteboard (available on request)

Computer Lab 2

This is a multi-purpose space suitable for computer training and presentations.

Seating for up to 12 people at computers, plus 1 instructor
Overhead Projector (connected to the instructors PC, or bring your own laptop)
Wi-Fi and network access available
Whiteboard (available on request)

Clinical & Research Support

The Library offers a Clinical Librarian Service to library members.

The Clinical Librarians have expert knowledge of key research resources & databases, such as Medline, PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library & other nursing & allied health resources.

They can help hospital staff & researchers by searching & evaluating evidence-based information to support patient care & research activities.

Services

The Clinical Librarian team can:

Assist in identifying & locating research literature for clinical care questions & service improvement initiatives
Provide 1:1 searching assistance - make an appointment via phone, e-mail or in-person
Provide education & training in the use of key resources
Assist with systematic review & guideline development
Provide support to journal clubs, clinical & audit meetings
Participate in special projects where their expertise can add value

Education & Training

There are regular & ongoing training events during the year. Sessions are advertised under the Training section of the Library webpage. Bookings required.

The Clinical Librarian team can also run tailored training sessions & can present to your team during, or at:

In-service training
Formal education courses & events
Departmental meetings
Clinical case conferences
Off-site meetings

Literature Search Service

The Clinical Librarians have expert knowledge of the key databases, and can assist staff & researchers locate filtered, highly specific information. Make an appointment to discuss your search specifics, or submit an online form request.

Location

The Clinical Librarians operate from the Health Sciences Library (RMH Building) and the Learning Resource Centre (PMCC Building - restricted hours – see below). Drop in, or call, or email to speak to them.

Contact Information

RMH, RWH & Mental Health
Catherine Voutier
Monday - Friday (RMH)
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | Phone: 9342 4089 (RMH)

PMCC Learning Resource Centre, L7
Smaro Lazarakis
Monday – Wednesday (PMCC)
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | Phone: 8559 7194 (PMCC); 9342 4088 (RMH)