Sappho, Hildegard von Bingen and Aphra Behn: an ancient Greek poet; a medieval abbess, composer and writer; and a Restoration playwright and spy. What do they have in common?

Dive into the works of great female writers held in the Library's rare books collection.

Explore the history and diversity of Australian romance books in our collection.

The Library recently acquired an original draft of a poem by Mark Twain in the form of a letter.

Every year, on 1 January, creative works come out of copyright and into the public domain.

This blog, by the Library’s Rare Books and Music Curator Dr Susannah Helman, explores this charming little book, just in time for the last days of summer. It may even be helpful the next time you take the plunge!

The Margarita Philosophica (Pearl of Philosophy) (1517) of German Carthusian monk and prior Gregor Reisch (c. 1467-1525).

Celebrate William Shakespeare's birthday with Shakespearean gems from the National Library's rare books collections.

Explore some of the speculative fiction reads in the collection and how they can help future generations understand society in the time they were written.