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

Two First Nations women sitting at a table conducting an oral history interview.

Photo of Dr Lorina Barker and Gwen Barker conducting an oral history interview, taken by Peta Barker, 2026

Expressions of interest open for First Nations oral history training program 2026–27

12 Aug 2026

We’re calling for expressions of interest for our inaugural First Nations oral history training program.

News

A wide-angle view inside an exhibition gallery. The walls feature illustrations and photographs with descriptive text.

A screenshot from the virtual walkthrough of Wangka Wakanutja: The Story of the Papunya Literature Production Centre.

Virtual exhibition connects community to Canberra

06 Aug 2026

Explore the Library's Wangka Wakaṉutja exhibition via the virtual exhibition online now.

Media release

National Library celebrates curiosity and discovery during National Science Week

03 Aug 2026

We will join organisations across the country this August to celebrate National Science Week, Australia’s annual festival of science, technology and innovation.

News

Four members of the Library's Special Collections Research & Support team, two men and two women, sitting at tables in the Main Reading Room

Members of the Special Collections Research & Support team in the Main Reading Room

Unlocking our oral history collections for family history research

01 Aug 2026

Learn about some of our key oral history collections that you can use for family history research.

Blog

Collection of various portraits, from groups of people to individuals, with the title 'The Memory Tapes' on a yellow back

The Memory Tapes podcast: A gateway to Australia’s oral history

30 Jul 2026

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

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 smartphone with the recording screen on with a red record button and soundwaves.

Oral History Pod: Capture your memories

15 - 28 Aug 2026

The Library's pop-up Oral History Pod is a cosy and private space created for you to record a special conversation.

Event

Education/learning

Assistance animals welcome

Wheelchair accessible

A split image featuring two professional headshots. On the left, a middle-aged woman with brown hair and glasses, wearing a black turtleneck, is smiling gently against a textured, light-colored background with some visible vines. On the right, an older man with gray hair, wearing a dark suit, white shirt, and blue patterned tie, is smiling directly at the camera against a plain gray background. Both individuals appear professional and approachable.

Workshop: Capturing your family stories session 2

15 Aug 2026

Learn how to record your loved ones’ stories and preserve their voices for the future.

Event

Workshop

Assistance animals welcome

Wheelchair accessible

An illustration of a woman in a yellow dress with a big hat, holding a gun

Gordon Ross, The woman behind the gun, 1911, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division

Fashion, feathers and feminism: women's fight for change

18 Aug 2026

ArtsNational Canberra and Tessa Boase present a lecture uncovering the intriguing story of women’s love affair with feathers and the brave eco‑feminists who fought to protect the birds.

Event

Talks and ideas

Assistance animals welcome