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

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

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

People watch lion dances in Chinatown Plaza in Adelaide

Jiayuan Liang, Chung Yee Tong Lion Dance Team performing lion dances, Chinese New Year, Chinatown, Adelaide, 2022, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3125334254

Asia

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

A streetscape of Bourke street, Melbourne.

Tom Roberts, Bourke Street, Melbourne, 1885, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-134285521

Local history

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

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Latest news

A women wearing a pink t-shirt with the words 'She Shapes History' delivers a guided tour in front of several flagpoles

Where are the women in the story of Australia?

28 Apr 2026

The National Library of Australia announces partnership with She Shapes History.

Media release

Man in snow gear on snowy slop surrounded by penguins

Papers of Duncan Alexander Brown, Icebergs and Ships, http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-4179300646

Mapping Australia’s Journey in Antarctica

22 Apr 2026

Thanks to the generous support of donors to the 2025 Tax Time appeal, selections from the Library’s Antarctica Collections are now available on Trove.

News

Two women are seated at a table covered in red cloth and laid with vintage lamps, stationery and typewriters

What's On in May 2026 at the National Library

21 Apr 2026

We’ve got you covered for Mother’s Day at the Library this month with a range of events and author talks.

Media release

A woman stands at her front gate receiving mail from a postman on foot who wears a hat and carries a mail bag. To the right is the cover of the book Postscript.

(L) Jim Fitzpatrick, Department of Information, John H Lowin, who delivers Drouin's mail, has a letter for Mrs Leslie Allison of Drouin, Victoria, 1944, nla.obj-147028185; (R) Book cover, Postscript

Power of correspondence celebrated in new book showcasing historical letters

09 Apr 2026

Selected letters from the National Library's vast collections have been paired with responses from contemporary Australians in this new publication.

Media release

A portrait of a smiling woman wearing glasses, a dark blue shirt and a silver pendant necklace

New Director-General for the National Library of Australia

24 Mar 2026

Minister for the Arts, The Honorable Tony Burke MP, has today announced the appointment of the new Director-General of the National Library of Australia.

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 - 11 Oct 2026

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

Exhibition

Exhibition Gallery

Assistance animals welcome

Quiet hours 9:00am - 11:00am

Wheelchair accessible

Rosalie Ham

Author talk: Look After Your Feet by Rosalie Ham

01 May 2026

Canberra Writers Festival presents author Rosalie Ham for a special event focused on her new novel, Look After Your Feet.

Event

Books and authors

Author talk

Assistance animals welcome

Hearing induction loop

Wheelchair accessible

Postscript: letter writing workshop

09 May 2026

Letters are for life. Join the world-famous Ms Constance Spry's Letter Writing Service for a creative workshop in celebration of the humble art of correspondence.

Event

Workshop

Places limited

Assistance animals welcome

Hearing induction loop

Susan Choi and David Szalay pictured alongside their book covers

Susan Choi and her book Flashlight and David Szalay and his book Flesh.

Author Talk: Night of the Bookers with David Szalay and Susan Choi

12 May 2026

Canberra Writers Festival presents authors David Szalay, Susan Choi and Nigel Featherstone for a special night of conversation about their works and their writing lives.

Event

Books and authors

Author talk

Assistance animals welcome

Hearing induction loop

Wheelchair accessible

View all events