What can we help you find?

Not sure where to start or need help? Ask a Librarian

What can we help you find?

Not sure where to start or need help? Ask a Librarian

Discover our collections

Fijian Australian woman with short grey hair sitting on a rock on a beach

Leigh Henningham, Portrait of Everest Pitt, 2022, nla.obj-3110047460

Oral history

A family dressed for a wedding laughs as they sit together on a couch

Conor Ashleigh, Bridal couple Achol and Marial and their bridal party, Sydney, December, 2013, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-506867692

Family history and genealogy

A group of women marches down a city street, holding various protest signs. Signs include messages like "Sexism is alive & living in Australia" and "Dress for comfort, not for style." A large sculpture is visible in the background.

John McKinnon, Women on the march wave their placards at the International Women's Day march, Melbourne, March 8, 1975, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-137045864

Feminism and women leaders

Detailed shaded illustration of a Roman temple with pillars and no roof

Hardy Wilson, Temple of Neptune at Paestum, 1925, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-153527636

Europe

Illustration of a tree branch with leaves. Some of it it coloured in and some left white

William T. Cooper, Corymbia confertiflora (Kippist) K.D.Hill & L.A.S.Johnson, family Myrtaceae, Chillagoe, Queensland, February 2003, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1728333879

Visual arts

Vincent Lingiari and two other men seated

Michael Jensen, Vincent Lingiari at Wattie Creek [(Daguragu), Northern Territory] when they had water on tap, 1977, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-137086604

First Australians

Large wall of bookshelves with hundreds of colourful books

Literature and writing

Black and white sketch of costume for the Princess-Mother in Swan Lake, with swatches of fabrics around the edges

Kristian Fredrikson, Costume and set sketches, Swan Lake (New Zealand) Act 1, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3160686825

Performing arts

Black and white photo of a man in a suit holding a large old camera

Harold Cazneaux holding a camera, Sydney, ca. 1905, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-144119446

Photography

Discover more

Latest news

Black and white image of recording equipment and microphone on desk, with a pair of hands in the background

What's On in August 2026 at the National Library

21 Jul 2026

Be a part of Australia’s living memory this August, with a rich program of events, learning opportunities and new content celebrating the power of oral history and storytelling.

Media release

A smiling blonde woman wearing headphones is seated in a chair in a modern studio setting, facing a desk with audio equipment and a microphone setup.

We're celebrating our oral history collection this August

20 Jul 2026

Find out about our events, workshops, podcast, recording pod, book and more, all celebrating Australia's most significant oral history collection.

News

A smiling woman with long dark hair is seated at a desk, looking directly at the camera while holding and reading a paper.

Gypsy Cook, 2026 National Library of Australia Scholar

Belonging in Australian brass bands

17 Jul 2026

Learn about National Library of Australia Scholar Gypsy Cook’s research into the history of Australian brass bands and their role in shaping musical lives through participation, performance and community.

Blog

Book cover featuring black text on a yellow background, surrounded by a collage of portraits of various people

The Memory Tapes: Voices from the Oral History Collection of the National Library of Australia

16 Jul 2026

New publication showcases Australia's most significant oral history collection, held right here at the National Library

Media release

Children's book cover with an illustration of people in yellow rubber boats on a river, with a young girl and an old man looking on

New children’s book explores the landmark campaign to stop the damming of Tasmania’s Franklin River

14 Jul 2026

The latest children's title from NLA Publishing explores Australia's most significant environment protest.

Media release

View all news

What's on

Red text reading 'Wangka Wakanutja' on a yellow background

Wangka Wakaṉutja: The Story of the Papunya Literature Production Centre

04 Apr 2026 - 31 Jan 2027

Explore the decades-long, remarkable efforts of the Papunya community to record language and culture and keep it alive.

Exhibition

Exhibition Gallery

Online

Assistance animals welcome

Quiet hours 9:00am - 11:00am

Wheelchair accessible

A woman with white hair and dark-rimmed glasses is speaking into a microphone

2026 Kenneth Myer Lecture Canberra: Ronni Kahn AO

04 Aug 2026

*Booked out* The 2026 Kenneth Myer Lecture will be delivered by Ronni Kahn AO, founder of leading food rescue charity, OzHarvest.

Event

Talks and ideas

Flagship lecture

Assistance animals welcome

Hearing induction loop

Wheelchair accessible

People gathering outside a red brick church, with a sign advertising a 'Pop-Up Kitchen' and soup pickup.

Sandy Scheltema, Pop-up kitchen offering soup during the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing restrictions, 2020, Daylesford Community Church, nla.obj-2931859327

COVID-19 oral history project: Archiving pandemic voices

06 Aug 2026

Join Dr Barbara Lemon, Bronwyn Ryan and Dr Scott McKinnon from the Library’s oral history team as they reflect on the process of compiling the extraordinary Australian COVID-19 collection.

Event

Talks and ideas

Panel discussion

Assistance animals welcome

Hearing induction loop

Wheelchair accessible

2026 Kenneth Myer Lecture Melbourne: Ronni Kahn AO

06 Aug 2026

The 2026 Kenneth Myer Lecture will be delivered by Ronni Kahn AO, founder of leading food rescue charity, OzHarvest.

Event

Talks and ideas

Flagship lecture