State Library Victoria was delighted to host a special guest recently – internationally acclaimed Japanese author Haruki Murakami, who visited the library for a special behind-the-scenes tour on a recent trip to Melbourne.

Justine Hyde, the Library’s Director of Services and Experience, led Mr Murakami through the iconic La Trobe Reading Room, exhibition spaces and behind the scenes.

Mr Murakami was shown through the World of the Book exhibition by Rare Books Librarian Anna Welch, viewing a number of treasures on show including beautiful Japanese woodblock printed books and first editions of Jack Kerouac’s works, of whom Mr Murakami is a big fan.

Mr Murakami was interested to learn more about Victoria’s history while he toured the Changing Face of Victoria exhibition with Lead Curator Carolyn Fraser. As a long distance runner, he was keen to see highlights from Victoria’s sporting history, and was also familiar with the armour belonging to our most famous bushranger, Ned Kelly.

In the Library’s Conservation Department, Senior Conservator Marika Kocsis provided an insight into how paper imported from Japan is used for delicate conservation repairs.

State Library Victoria has the most significant collection of Murakami works held in any library in Australia – a complete set of first editions in Japanese and English donated last year by Judge Graham Anderson. Comprising nearly 90 volumes, it forms part of the Graham and Anita Anderson collection of modern literary first editions.

Noticeably taken aback by the sheer size of the collection, Mr Murakami generously signed a selection of his books.