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What's on

Explore the newest events, exhibitions, learning sessions, talks, and discussions - both online and in-person.

In the spotlight

Three framed photographs on a blue wall with a subtle wave pattern.
Hopes and Fears: Australian Migration Stories
26 Jul 2024 - 02 Feb 2025

Explore the journeys that have shaped our nation’s history.

Exhibition
Assistance animals icon Assistance animals icon
Assistance animals welcome
Wheelchair icon Wheelchair icon
Wheelchair accessible
A fire burning on sand with a night sky behind it
Deadly Dialogues: Karlie Noon and Celeste Carnegie
02 Oct - 02 Oct 2024

Join astrophysicist and author Karlie Noon in conversation with Celeste Carnegie as they discuss the astronomic heritage of Noon's Kamilaroi Peoples and her journey as an ambassador for youth and astronomy.

Event
First Australians
First Australians
Deadly dialogues
Talks and ideas
A large book sitting propped open on a red piece of material. The left hand page shows text that reads '1. Exhibit me' and the right hand page shows a stamped black ink image.

Paul Uhlmann, Finsternis [detail], 1991, nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn1401648. Photograph courtesy of Dr Caren Florance.

Strange pages: Investigating artists' books with Dr Caren Florance
24 Oct - 24 Oct 2024

Join Dr Caren Florance as she presents a lecture on her 2024 National Library Fellowship research into artists' books (books made by artists as art).

Event
Talks and ideas
Fellowship talk
Anticlockwise from the bottom right hand corner: two people sitting on a bench in a gallery, looking at the Mabo wall displays. One person is standing up looking at a framed poster. Another person is standing at the back of the gallery space looking at botanical artworks. Another person is blurred as they walk through the space.
Treasures Gallery
26 Jun 2024 - 01 Jan 2099

The Treasures Gallery showcases the extraordinary holdings of the National Library of Australia.

Exhibition
Assistance animals icon Assistance animals icon
Assistance animals welcome
Wheelchair icon Wheelchair icon
Wheelchair accessible

Exhibitions

Three framed photographs on a blue wall with a subtle wave pattern.
Hopes and Fears: Australian Migration Stories
26 Jul 2024 - 02 Feb 2025

Explore the journeys that have shaped our nation’s history.

Exhibition
Assistance animals icon Assistance animals icon
Assistance animals welcome
Wheelchair icon Wheelchair icon
Wheelchair accessible
Participants in the 1995 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade carry large, colourful, abstract posters, flags and sculptures. The scene is set at night with vibrant shapes, patterns, and faces on display.

William Yang, Abstract colour designs on parade float, Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, 1985, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-136925205

William Yang's Mardi Gras
26 Jun - 01 Dec 2024

‘There was abstraction, colour and movement, and a certain innocent joie de vivre.’ – William Yang

Exhibition
Anticlockwise from the bottom right hand corner: two people sitting on a bench in a gallery, looking at the Mabo wall displays. One person is standing up looking at a framed poster. Another person is standing at the back of the gallery space looking at botanical artworks. Another person is blurred as they walk through the space.
Treasures Gallery
26 Jun 2024 - 01 Jan 2099

The Treasures Gallery showcases the extraordinary holdings of the National Library of Australia.

Exhibition
Assistance animals icon Assistance animals icon
Assistance animals welcome
Wheelchair icon Wheelchair icon
Wheelchair accessible
View all exhibitions

Events

The book cover of 'Flora' by Tania McCartney and a sketchbook with colouring pencils.
School holiday activity: Nature Journalling - Tue 1 Oct, 10am - 11am
01 Oct - 01 Oct 2024

As flowers blossom across Canberra, join us these school holidays to create nature journals!

Event
For kids and families
School holiday event
The book cover of 'Flora' by Tania McCartney and a sketchbook with colouring pencils.
School holiday activity: Nature Journalling - Tue 1 Oct, 1pm - 2pm
01 Oct - 01 Oct 2024

As flowers blossom across Canberra, join us these school holidays to create nature journals!

Event
For kids and families
School holiday event
Five photographs of people smiling. Three of the photographs are of women and two are of men.
Hopes and Fears: Australian Migration Stories panel discussion
01 Oct - 01 Oct 2024

Join a panel of special guests for a conversation about their own personal and professional stories around migration, and how our country can best recognise the extraordinary contribution that migrants make to contemporary Australia.

Event
Talks and ideas
View all events

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Three colourful tapestries hanging above the main entrance doors
Artworks in and around the building
Two young women having morning tea at the Bookplate cafe

Bookplate cafe

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Woman browsing books on display at the Library's Bookshop
Bookshop
People reading and talking in a large, sunny room at tables, desks and computer stations

Main Reading Room

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