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

A promotional image for 'The Memory Tapes' by the National Library of Australia, featuring a collage of historical photographs on the left and a warm, outdoor portrait of an elderly woman and a younger woman embracing on the right.

Bonus episode now streaming: Trailblazers: Women, Change and the Work Still Ahead

26 Oct 2026

The story of Australia’s progress cannot be told without the women who challenged expectations, reshaped institutions and fought to expand opportunities for future generations.

News

A pile of comics and graphic novels scattered over a table

What's On in November 2026 at the National Library

21 Oct 2026

With an abundance of author talks, book launches and two opportunities for the public to see rarely shown treasures from our collections, the Library is the place to be in November.

Media release

Two colourful board games relating to the 1934 MacRobertson International Air Race on a wooden table

A soaring centenary: The 1934 MacRobertson Air Race

07 Oct 2026

Learn about the thrilling 1934 London to Melbourne air race that inspired 2 board games recently added to our collection.

Blog

A group of people in colorful winter gear stand on a vast expanse of snow and ice, looking towards a large orange icebreaker ship in the distance

Felicity Jenkins, Expeditioners form a line on the sea ice off Davis Station to farewell the Aurora Australis and wintering expeditioners returning home, Antarctica, 1998, nla.obj-144071241

What's On in October 2026 at the National Library

22 Sep 2026

We’re asking big questions this month at the Library as our spring program gets into full swing.

Media release

A colorful underwater scene from the children's book 'Swimming with Aunty Isobel'. Two girls, an adult and a child, are swimming together through a vibrant coral reef filled with fish and sea life. The title and authors' names are prominently displayed.

Stunning new children’s titles releasing just in time for Christmas

01 Sep 2026

Explore the new children's titles releasing soon from NLA Publishing.

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

An older woman stands beside a large painting of two vibrant yellow birds on a rocky hillside with mountains in the background, next to a stained-glass window; a blue circular graphic reads 'Friends Event' in the foreground.

Friends Collection Viewing: Birds of a Feather

04 Nov 2026

The Friends of the National Library of Australia present their annual collection viewing event.

Event

Friends of the Library event

Assistance animals welcome

Wheelchair accessible

Colourful illustration of different bird species in a park

Book launch: Bird Park

07 Nov 2026

*Booked out* Celebrate the launch of one of NLA Publishing's newest children’s books Bird Park, with a morning of stories and wildlife encounters.

Event

Books and authors

Book launch

Storytime

Education/learning

For kids and families

Assistance animals welcome

Wheelchair accessible

A cartoon of a pointy-nosed orange character wearing a yellow dress with red spots, placed upside down on a bright blue background

Judy Horacek: Everyone on the bus fell down (not just me)

10 Nov 2026

Cartoonist, writer and illustrator Judy Horacek brings her comedy cartoon slide show to the National Library – a show about public transport, climate catastrophe, a certain green sheep and getting older (for real).

Event

Books and authors

Assistance animals welcome